GREAT Yarmouth's historic Winter Gardens were closed to the public earlier this week pending the outcome of a structural survey likely to be known today.
GREAT Yarmouth's historic Winter Gardens were closed to the public earlier this week pending the outcome of a structural survey likely to be known today.
A question mark has hung over the long-term future of the listed building since weaknesses in its steel structure were detected in 2005.
Despite a £100,000 emergency repairs scheme being carried out by the borough council to make it safe, the seafront building has not been allowed to open in wind speeds above 30mph since then.
Tim Howard, head of regeneration at the council, which leases the Winter Gardens to Family Amusements for use as a family entertainment centre, said it had been necessary to close the building to allow scaffolding to be put up inside for the survey.
The council acknowledged that the building would need major renovation work in the longer term and was in dialogue with other agencies over possible funding.
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