Work is starting to transform an empty quayside building in King’s Lynn into a new facility for visiting mariners, as part of wider ambitions to make more of the historic riverfront for the benefit of residents and tourists.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is converting the annexe to the former Sommerfeld and Thomas warehouse to provide welcoming dryside facilities for leisure craft owners who moor up at the South Quay pontoons, including showers, toilets, washing machines, visitor information and water bottle refills.
The latest exciting investment as part of the King’s Lynn Town Deal regeneration programme, the dryside conversion also supports the council’s partnership work to promote ‘Sail the Wash’ and bring more visitors into King’s Lynn via the river, supporting local businesses and the vibrancy of the riverfront and town centre.
Starting this week, internal conversion works are expected to take around four months to complete, with access maintained for all residents and businesses in the area. Externally, the annexe will look similar, in keeping with the listed warehouse next door.
Cllr Simon Ring, Deputy Council Leader, said: “Following the granting of Listed Building Consent for the Custom House, it’s great to announce work starting on the dryside as part of our wider plans to revive the whole of this amazing riverside, connecting the past with the present by creating a vibrant attractive destination for residents and visitors.
“Dryside facilities were requested by people who use the pontoon and will provide an even warmer welcome to King’s Lynn, as well as bringing an empty building back into valuable use. This is another step forward under our emerging Masterplan vision to link up both ends the riverfront with renewed activity. It also supports our ongoing marketing efforts of the large historic warehouse next door, which would be great as an hotel or restaurant.”
Olly Parker, of EN Suiter and Sons Ltd, which is the borough council’s contractor for these works, said: “As a King’s Lynn-based, family-run business, EN Suiter & Sons Ltd is delighted to be part of the dryside facility remodelling and refurbishment scheme. This is a fantastic local project, and we’re really pleased to be working with the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk to help deliver the high quality new facilities for the town and its community.”
Led by the borough council in partnership with King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, the Town Deal programme is helping to unlock the full potential of our unique place for local communities, delivering new facilities, opportunities and jobs for residents, supporting the local economy and making more of our rich heritage buildings and spaces for a stronger and sustainable future.
Details of how to access the dryside facilities will be available on the council’s website and the ‘Sail the Wash’ website – www.sailthewash.com – in due course. Sail the Wash is a marketing initiative in partnership with other coastal locations around the Wash to provide information and navigation advice aimed to encourage leisure craft visitors to different locations around the Wash.
