Some 70 beach huts planned for Gorleston, but how much will they cost?
These views could be enjoyed by the beach hut owners. Picture: Archant - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2012
With a growing reputation said to rival Southwold for its seaside charm, Gorleston is adding beach huts in a further nod to its coastal cousin.
But a candy-striped cabin close to the sea will be up for sale for a fraction of the asking price in Suffolk where huts have hit the market for over £100,000.
Some 70 timber huts are planned for the lower prom, each likely to have a price tag of around £7,000 plus up to £800 in ground rents.
The project to re-introduce the holiday havens has come from Great Yarmouth Borough Council as the vibe for seaside vintage triggers an “overwhelming” spike in demand.
Council leader Graham Plant said he was confident the scheme would be a success.
He said the huts would be built as people bought them rather than all at once and that he expected demand to be high.
Fuelling the drive was a nostalgia for the British seaside, harking back to a low-key holiday heyday.
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But more than that the council needed to find new funding streams as its revenue support grant was cut, to maintain frontline services.
Investing in Gorleston, already famous for its stunning sandy sweep, was ongoing with a plan to widen the pavement by the shops and arcade coming to fruition this year.
“We recognise that across the country beach huts are becoming more popular so why shouldn’t Gorleston have some?” he said.
“I think as they go up people will realise how good they are and we will be getting more and more orders.”
In a report the council states it has already seen “overwhelming” demand from people wanting to enjoy “an indoor sanctuary” on the seafront.
The report says: “The proposal has been considered due to the changing patterns in demand for beach huts.
“In the 1950s through to the 1970s beach huts were in great demand with many scattered across the borough.
“However, from the 1960s onwards demand fell and unfortunately many which had been erected as part of other structures fell into disrepair.”
Resident Margaret Ward said she had concerns about any restricted access to the lower esplanade which was an amenity for all and part of the coastal path.
