Great Yarmouth Ice House getting multi-million-pound revamp

Thanks to a £2m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, construction work has begun on the historic Ice House. 

It will be turned into a national centre for outdoor arts and circus, with the project being led by Out There Arts.

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An open day at the Ice House in Great Yarmouth (Image: Out There Arts)

Built between 1851 and 1892, the Ice House was a vital asset in the seaside town's once-thriving fishing industry.

In the mid-19th century, it stood at the forefront of an industrial revolution that would propel Great Yarmouth's fortunes to new heights.

However, as modern technologies advanced, the Ice House fell into disuse and it served for some time as a grain store.

The Ice House will open as a circus centre in 2025 (Image: Out There Arts)

Joe Mackintosh, chief executive for Out There Arts and artistic director of the Out There International Festival of Circus & Street Arts, said: “The development of The Ice House has been a long-term project for Out There Arts.

"Much of the vision had been established with the local community through consultations and events surrounding the building. 

"We are delighted that the Ice House, a Grade II-listed building on the historic Great Yarmouth South Quay, is set to undergo a spectacular transformation."

Working with Jeremy Stacey Architects, specialist contractors will repurpose the 42,500 cubic metre space to provide a performance and creation area with a first-floor mezzanine leading out to a substantial balcony that overlooks the river.

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The Ice House is a Grade II-listed building in Great Yarmouth (Image: Supplied)
 

Other features will include a café bar area and audio, lighting and projection systems to create an immersive heritage learning experience.

Building works are set to conclude in February 2025, with the grand opening planned for May 2025 alongside The Out There Festival.

Further funding includes £450,000 from the Great Yarmouth Town Deal funded by HM Government, £350,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund, £50,000 from Great Yarmouth Borough Council and £20,000 from Brineflow, as well as match funding from Out There Arts.