Demolition Work To Start For New Lowestoft Seafront Complex

The first stage of work to build a new seafront complex in Lowestoft is set to begin this week.

Demolition work will soon get underway to make way for a new development on Lowestoft’s seafront.

A two-storey restaurant and café complex will be built at Jubilee Parade on the seafront, with five concession units on the ground floor, new toilets, outdoor showers, and a Changing Places facility. A lift and staircase between the Esplanade, restaurant, and Lower Promenade levels will provide improved access to the seafront for everyone.

The first stage of the project is now underway and as part of this, Sunrise at Zak’s has relocated to a temporary building nearby. Temporary toilets have also been installed.

The existing structures on the site, which are unable to support modern facilities, will then be demolished and the promenade will be extended onto the beach. This stage is expected to be completed by the summer. Lowestoft-based PJ Spillings Ltd have been appointed to carry out the demolition, which is expected to begin on Monday 8 April.

The second stage, which will be the construction of the main building, will begin from mid-June and is expected to be completed by Spring 2025. 

Paul Wood, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration at East Suffolk Council said: “Work is now underway on this exciting new development, which, thanks to Levelling Up funding will enable us to extensively improve the offer to residents and visitors at this part of the seafront.

“We are pleased to have been working closely with Sunrise at Zak’s to ensure they can move into a new temporary unit whilst work gets underway on the new development. This will ensure the café can remain open throughout the build and they are able to continue serving their loyal customers.”

Martin and Emma Williams from Sunrise at Zak’s said: “We are delighted to be able to continue to operate from within our new temporary café, which can be found a short distance further along the promenade on the south side of the Eastern Edge beach huts. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new over the Easter weekend and we are also excited for next summer, when we will be moving into our new permanent café within the new Jubilee Parade complex.”

Over the past four years, East Suffolk Council has consulted with residents, visitors, and businesses to understand what improvements they would like to see in this area to help Lowestoft grow as a place to live, work, visit, and invest in.

East Suffolk Council has been working with local businesses and organisations including Volunteer Lifeguard Corp, Waveney Disability Forum, and First Light CIC, throughout the design phase. 

As part of the project, a new building will be created for the Volunteer Lifeguard Corp who have moved from their current base whilst the complex is constructed.