Maritime House in Great Yarmouth could become café

Maritime House, one of the most prominent buildings in Great Yarmouth, could be turned into a café as part of a major revamp.

Plans have been lodged to transform the 19th century listed building into a new venue, which also includes office space and flats on the upper floors.

Maritime House served as the Tourism Information Centre from 2002 until 2015. Picture - Newsquest Archives (Image: Newsquest Archives)READ MORE: Library makes surprise move... to hair salon

The refurb project is being undertaken by Kenzoku Properties, a Norfolk-based firm that specialises in renovation work. 

Maritime House, which began life as a haven for shipwrecked sailors, was put on the market for £250,000 in February this year by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, with the authority calling the three-storey property "surplus to requirements." 

The applicant has said the revamp will ensure the building's connection with its nautical past will remain through a "themed concept that recognises its rich history."

The RNLI will also assist with the project, with the charity set to benefit from fundraising events at the site.

The Maritime House when it was still operating as the Sailors' Home. Picture - Newsquest Archives (Image: Newsquest Archives)

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SHIPWRECK HAVEN

Maritime House was built as the British and Foreign Sailors’ Home and Refuge for the Shipwrecked in 1860.

Thousands of sailors passed through the home over one hundred years, with 1,400 staying there during the Second World War.

The crew from a Dutch cargo streamer, which was mined and sunk in June 1916, on the steps of the Sailors' Home. Picture - Newsquest Archives (Image: Newsquest Archives)The Sailors' Home closed in 1965 as advances in maritime safety reduced the need.

From 1967, the building was used as the Maritime Museum.

After it closed in 2002, the museum's varied collection of 5,000 objects was moved to the yet-to-open Time and Tide Museum on Blackfriars Road.

After its life as a museum, Maritime House became home to the Great Yarmouth Tourist Authority until 2018 and the Tourist Information Centre until 2020.

The building has become the focus of debate in recent years due to the significant costs it posed to the council - £42,769 per year in maintenance and other costs.