Regeneration plans to create a new cultural quarter focussing on St George's Theatre and King Street are taking a major step forward as funding and designs for the £8m project fall into place.

Regeneration plans to create a new cultural quarter focussing on St George's Theatre and King Street are taking a major step forward as funding and designs for the £8m project fall into place.

Architectural and urban design practice Lathams has been appointed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council to develop plans for the area with the theatre - or chapel - as its centrepiece.

The plans include refurbishing the theatre as a cultural centre for the town, adding a new pavilion and transforming the adjoining public square.

Derby-based Lathams will also be advising on the design and landscaping of the surrounding streets, and working on a £2m grant project to upgrade up to 50 other historic properties in the area.

The aim is to create an exciting and attractive new cultural quarter in Great Yarmouth that will act as a focus for theatre, galleries, specialist shops, street cafes and outdoor events.

Lathams architect Stuart Hodgkinson said: “Great Yarmouth has an outstanding range

of heritage assets, and the scope to use

hese to lead regeneration is enormous. The conversion of St George's Chapel will reinvigorate the whole area and act as a catalyst for further economic regeneration in the town by bringing in new visitors and revenue.”

The project is being put together as part of the national Sea Change programme, a £45m funding initiative which aims to kickstart wider economic regeneration in coastal areas through specific investment in heritage and culture.

Sea Change, from which Great Yarmouth Borough Council will be seeking up to

£4m funding towards the project, is funded through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and led by The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), working with Regional Development Agencies, Arts Council England, the

Heritage Lottery fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

Peter Hardy, the borough council's executive director of economy and environment, said: “This is a very exciting and high profile

project and the interest from architectural practices to participate was very

strong.

“Lathams wes selected because of its strong track record and clearly thought-out proposals. We believe it will bring great flair and innovation to the conversion and enhancement of St George's Chapel and the surrounding areas.”

Following the appointment, Lathams is

working to produce detailed plans for the next stage of the regeneration project by the end

of October.