One of Great Yarmouth's landmark seafront buildings will be opening its doors to visitors to show people how it will transformed in a major restoration project.
The Victorian Winter Gardens will be open on Saturday, March 18 as part of National Lottery Open Week
The so-called "People's Palace" is being brought back to life as a year-round, free attraction billed "as a place of celebration, enjoyment, well-being and relaxation for all."
It is hoped the work will be completed by 2026.
In a previous life it was a symbol of the golden era of the seaside, hosting a range of entertainment from concerts and dancing, to roller-skating and arcades.
On Saturday, March 18, people have the chance to explore the inside of the Winter Gardens before the work begins and learn more about what makes the building so significant and to hear about the council’s plans for the restoration of it.
In 2021 the Winter Gardens was one of five transformational heritage projects across the country to be awarded a Heritage Horizon Award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Rachel Daniel, the council's Winter Gardens partnership and engagement co-ordinator, said: ''We are really excited to be taking part in National Lottery Open Week and give National Lottery players the opportunity to view the historic Winter Gardens from the inside before restoration begins."
Visitors will be provided with full PPE including a hard hat, high-visibility tabards and protective eyewear before being guided through the building.
There are 12 places per tour and tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours will run at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Places must be booked in advance by emailing pmo@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.
The history of the Winter Gardens
Built in Torquay in 1878, the failed business venture was dismantled, shipped around the coast, and reassembled on the Golden Mile in 1904, having been bought for just £1.
Over the years it has been a ballroom, a roller-skating rink, and an amusement arcade - electric light would fill its interior and beam out across the seafront and gleam on the water.
For a time it morphed into an Austrian-style beer garden, where ale-drinkers were served by waitresses in Tyrolean costumes while an orchestra played.
It closed in 2008 due to safety fears. At that time it hosted a soft play area.
In 2017 it was named as one of the UK's most endangered buildings that was costly to keep up, and even more expensive to tear down.
Two years later a council report revealed it was in danger of collapse. Now an eyesore, some £60,000 was spent on preparing the lottery bid.
In 2020 hopes received a boost when it was named on a shortlist of 12 projects being considered for a share in the fund. It was announced last year it was successful, unlocking almost £10m.
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