An historic seaside hub could be reclaimed for the “benefit of the community” after it went up for sale for £150,000.
%image(14538426, type="article-full", alt="Inside the Great Hall at Great Yarmouth's former Priory Centre which is up for sale for £150,000 Picture: Arnolds Keys")
The Priory Centre in Great Yarmouth has a special place in the hearts of the borough’s residents and, according to Labour councillor Jade Martin, its closure in 2019 left community groups “homeless”.
She said: “So many groups called the centre their home, and it was a real hub of empowerment for local people. At £150,000, the place is a steal.”
Great Yarmouth’s Community Land Trust - known informally as Yarmouth Roads - is hoping to make an offer for the centre and turn it into an “Asset of Community Value”.
If the application to the borough council is successful, the Priory will be held “in perpetuity” - which means owned by the community and used exclusively for community use, forever.
%image(14538427, type="article-full", alt="Great Yarmouth's Community Land Trust at a meeting of trustees. The group said it was feeling "motivated" about their new project following an avalanche of support from the public. Photo: Yarmouth Roads")
Helen Lynch, Yarmouth Roads’ secretary, said: “Our CLT started last year, and we’ve been looking for a project ever since. Our reason for being is to provide affordable housing and community spaces in the area. The Priory Centre fits the bill perfectly.
“The pressure is on us at the moment, and our bid is in the hands of administrators.
“There’s lots of emails firing off, and a lot of applications going in for grant funding to help make this a reality.”
She added: “It’s about getting the council on side.
“We’re now registered as an interested party, which is exciting, but stressful at the same time.
“We need the public on board. We have a Just Giving page people can donate to, and residents can email the council with their own memories of the Priory Centre to help make the case for designating the building as an asset of community value.”
Ms Martin said: “We did it with Pops’ Meadow, and we can do it with this too.
“Gorleston is so privileged to have the Shrublands Centre - but Great Yarmouth, which has already been decimated by austerity, is crying out for a space they can turn to for help. The town deserves its own space - and the Priory Centre is it.”
%image(14538428, type="article-full", alt="A Slimming World group had to be hastily rearranged after its regular meeting place at the Priory Centre closed last year Picture: Liz Coates")
Local historian Michael Boon said: “Heritage is something you cannot get back once it’s gone. There are 900 years of history there, and Yarmouth has to look after what its got.”
Email sammy.wintle@great-yarmouth.gov.uk about what the Priory Centre means to you, and donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveourpriorycentre
%image(14538430, type="article-full", alt="Ivy Kendrick and Mary Spragg making some greeting cards at the Over 50's Funday at the Priory Centre. Picture: James Bass")
%image(14538431, type="article-full", alt="Sandy Lysaght (left) with Jacky Honour at a fundraiser at the Priory Centre to raise money for Greengrow, a community farm near Beccles. Sandy went to Berry Farm near Beccles with her children through Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Surestart Centre. Picture: James Bass")
%image(14538432, type="article-full", alt="Michael Boon said once a town loses its history it can't 'get it back'. Picture: James Bass")
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here