WORK to revamp an iconic Great Yarmouth building is on track as it emerged that the project will bring much-needed jobs to the area.

Those involved in the scheme to refurbish St George’s Chapel into a multi-use arts base will be advertising in the Mercury next week for an assistant manager to help run the exciting facility, with more opportunities expected in the New Year for caterers, bar staff and those with technical skills.

A plea has also gone out for volunteers to help run the box office and act as ushers and first-aiders.

Chris Moore, general manager of St George’s Chapel, said: “In the last couple of months all the high level work has been completed and all the repairs to the bell tower are complete. The underfloor heating and floor screed over the top of that is in place so we can now put down the oak floor. The dressing rooms are now going in and after that the interior work is mainly refurbishment.”

Modelled on the church of St Clement Danes in London and painted in reds and golds, St George’s Chapel fell into disuse in 1971 before being turned into a theatre, which closed around five years ago when it was declared unsafe.

The �4m project to turn the Grade I listed building into an entertainment venue, which is led by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, seeks to bring it back to life again.

Working alongside English Heritage and Hopkins Architects, and with grant funding from CABE Seachange programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the East of England Development Agency, Norfolk County Council and English Heritage, the project began last November with the doors set to open to the public in the spring.

The multi-purpose arts venue will hold about 300 people, with the structure being worked on by RG Carter and particular efforts being made to preserve the original architecture.

Mr Moore described the structure of the building, built in 1714, as “quite stunning” and said it would accommodate the arts in all its forms. “There will be art exhibitions, drama and music, including classical music. We are looking to bring in various orchestras. We are looking for some national names to come in but at the same time it really is a community project. “We are also looking for previous users and people who are interested in using the building to get in touch with us.

“We will be advertising for an assistant manager, who can hopefully come in as soon as possible. This is a paid post. We are looking for someone with theatre experience, someone who knows about direction and producing shows.”

“Later in the New Year there are likely to be opportunities for catering, technical and bar staff. We will also be looking for volunteers to possibly man the box office and to be ushers and first-aiders. We will be putting together exciting community activities and we are looking for champions from the community.” To find out more email hello@stgeorgestheatre.com or for more updates visit www.stgeorgestheatre.com