For 50 years it was the beating heart of a Norfolk seaside town as revellers enjoyed a dance, a drink and live music.

But now the landmark Ocean Room entertainment and nightclub venue in Gorleston is still collecting dust as it prepares to enter its tenth month of sitting empty.

Locals had hoped it would reopen and its glory days of being a top entertainment venue would return, but sadly that dream is not coming to fruition.

The building is owned by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, which says it is yet to find someone to take it on and also work will be required before it could open under a new tenant.

Club Reunion 5 at the Oceans Rooms in 2018Club Reunion 5 at the Oceans Rooms in 2018 (Image: Julian Nichols) A council spokesman said: ‘’Although there were discussions with the former tenant over a potential purchase of the building from the council, no terms could be agreed.

"After receiving the property back, the council has undertaken surveys to allow an appraisal of options to take place.

"It is clear that work will be required before the building can be reopened for any type of business and the council has been in discussions with interested parties.”

The council declined to comment on what work is needed for the building, how much the work would cost, and whether the new tenant would be expected to pay for the work.

Boogie Night in the Ocean Room in 2003 Boogie Night in the Ocean Room in 2003 (Image: Steve Parsons) The business had been run by three generations of the same family since the mid-1970s.

In March, operators Kelly Edwards and her cousin Ben Jay, announced they were to "immediately cease trading", after struggling to get the venue back on its feet after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blur at Ocean Rooms in Gorleston, 20th September 1995Blur at Ocean Rooms in Gorleston, 20th September 1995 (Image: Archant Library) They had tried their best to renegotiate the lease of the property with Great Yarmouth Borough Council but no deal was secured.

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Now they are focussing on their other business ventures.

There had been rumours circulating in the borough that JD Wetherspoon wanted to open a pub there, someone wanted to open a strip club there and there were whispers of a bowling alley opening too.

OCEAN ROOM HISTORY

The building originally opened as the Floral Hall in 1939 and since it was taken over by Gordon Edwards, and his son Russell Edwards, as the Ocean Room in 1975.

In 2020, Rag'n'Bone Man surprised about 600 people at the venue when he appeared as the mystery guest at a gig line-up of local acts.

Gorleston Pool and Ocean Rooms and Seafront August 1990Gorleston Pool and Ocean Rooms and Seafront August 1990 (Image: Archant Library) The singer turned up at the Ocean Room as a favour to his father Tony Graham, who lives in the Norfolk town.

READ MORE: Looking at back at more than 80 years at the Ocean Room nightclub

Most famously, Blur also appeared at the packed-out venue as part of their seaside tour in 1995, the year in which they released their fourth album, The Great Escape.

In 2012, former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson also appeared at the venue as a special guest for a Friday Boogie Night.

Other famous celebrity appearances at the venue include S Club 7, Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, Westlife’s Brian McFadden, Tyson Fury and Joey Essex.

Sir Bobby Robson at the Gt Yarmouth Town FC evening at the Ocean Room, Gorleston in 2005Sir Bobby Robson at the Gt Yarmouth Town FC evening at the Ocean Room, Gorleston in 2005 (Image: Archant Library)

The Ocean Room on Pier Gardens, Gorleston taken in 2016The Ocean Room on Pier Gardens, Gorleston taken in 2016 (Image: Archant Library)