Conservation work to sensitively restore and revive King’s Lynn Custom House – considered one of England’s most perfect classical buildings and an icon of the town – is starting soon as part of wider ambitions to make more of the historic riverfront.
After careful project development work, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has appointed Norfolk-based contractor King & Company to deliver light-touch revitalisation of the Grade I-listed landmark and historic setting, for the benefit of residents and visitors.
The Custom House will come back into sustainable use as a flexible, accessible space, as a key part of the Government-funded Town Deal regeneration programme and the council’s wider vision to maximise the destination potential of the historic riverfront, while protecting, respecting and preserving its unique heritage.
From 24 August, people will start to see hoardings go up and a scaffolding wrapped with a temporary roof from the eaves upwards, to protect the public and the building itself during these important conservation works. A temporary welfare compound will also be sited on Purfleet Quay.
Over the coming year, the 17th century building will be carefully restored, repaired and conserved, including works to the stonework, windows, roof and iconic cupola. Almost all the historic fabric will be retained and crucial upgrades will be made to ensure it is welcoming for everyone, meets accessibility standards and supports flexible use.
Upgrades will include an accessible toilet, a platform lift taking visitors to the first floor so they can appreciate the beautiful Long Room, plus improved toilets and a new kitchenette on the top floor, which will allow the two office spaces to be brought back into use.
Then in spring 2027, there will be a series of complementary improvements to Purfleet Quay, upgrading lighting and bringing in electrical provision. Access to adjacent premises will be maintained throughout the works.
Councillor Simon Ring, the Deputy Council Leader, said: “This is a proud and exciting moment for King’s Lynn, West Norfolk and Norfolk as a whole. After years of meticulous planning, securing funding and permissions, we’re restoring a signature building of King’s Lynn and a monument to our rich maritime heritage.
“Our minimum-intervention approach will breathe new life into the Custom House, ensuring this architectural masterpiece is conserved, protected, open, accessible and welcoming for everyone into the 21st century. Together with the Guildhall work currently underway and the new dryside facility taking shape on the riverfront, this will bring so many benefits for our community alongside supporting visitor numbers and hopefully further investment along the riverfront.
“Credit must go to all those who shared the dream for the Custom House and helped make it a reality, including Historic England, the Neighbourhood Board and Project Team. As this is a high-profile site, the hoardings will be carefully decorated to tell the story of the building, King’s Lynn’s proud seafaring tradition, and life in 17th century King’s Lynn when the Custom House was built.”
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.
Andrew Stevenson, riverfront project champion on King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, said: “The light-touch revitalisation of the Custom House is a critical part of our Town Deal vision and responds directly to the community’s desire to create new things for people to see and do here, while protecting, respecting and preserving its unique heritage for future generations.
“The start of on-site conservation works, to secure its long-term future and sustainability for the community, is fantastic news for the people of King’s Lynn and a key milestone in our shared ambition to make more of the historic riverfront and one of King’s Lynn’s most beloved landmarks. After years of project development work, I’d like to thank all involved and I will watch with interest as the building is revived.”
James King, Managing Director of King & Company Norfolk Ltd, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been entrusted with the conservation of such an important historic landmark.
“The Custom House is one of Norfolk’s most significant heritage buildings, and our team is committed to delivering the highest standards of traditional craftsmanship while carefully protecting its historic fabric for future generations.
“We look forward to working closely with the Borough Council, Historic England and the wider project team to sensitively restore this iconic building and play our part in securing its future at the heart of King’s Lynn’s historic riverfront.”
About the Custom House
The Custom House is probably the most famous and recognisable building in King’s Lynn, a town landmark and symbol of its rich maritime heritage and wealth as a trading port.
Built originally as the Merchants’ Exchange in 1683, it was commissioned by Sir John Turner MP, a local wine trader and three times Mayor of King’s Lynn, who lived opposite. It became the Custom House in the early 1700s and was used by Customs and Excise until 1989, later becoming a Tourist Information Centre.
It was the town’s first classical-style building, described by architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as “one of the most perfect classical buildings in provincial England” and is described by Historic England as the masterpiece of local architect Henry Bell, who was strongly influenced by architectural trends of the time in London and Holland.
