Crowds gathered in glorious sunshine in Great Yarmouth for the official opening of the town’s new library and learning hub – The Place
Almost 150 guests were invited to the Market Place venue on Tuesday, May 13, to hear speeches, enjoy refreshments and witness a plaque being unveiled by The Lady Dannatt MBE, Lord-Lieutenant for Norfolk, before a cake was cut by the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Councillor Paula Waters-Bunn, to mark the occasion.
Members of the public then enjoyed a range of activities, displays, taster sessions and tours to see what is on offer. The opening also featured displays telling the history of the building, a mini family art trail and a display of photographs featuring some of Palmers’ memorable window displays from its heyday.
As well as being home to the new library, East Coast College and the University of Suffolk will offer courses at The Place. The impressive venue also includes Norfolk County Council adult learning facilities and registrar services.
From today (Wednesday, May 14) East Coast College and UOS are offering taster sessions for people to find out more about the courses and qualifications being offered at The Place.
Work at the 5,300 sqm, five-storey venue was led by Morgan Sindall Construction and has sensitively retained the conservation area appearance of the building.
The £17m project was funded via £8.1m from the Government’s Town Deal, with a further £3.4m from the Future High Streets Fund. East Coast College and University of Suffolk contributed £3.7m and Norfolk County Council £2.3m.
Speaking at the official opening The Lady Dannatt said: ‘’The Place is a landmark institution that will serve as a library, learning and university centre for Great Yarmouth and so much more.
‘’It is the result of immense dedication, collaboration and hard work. I wish to express my deepest gratitude on behalf of his Majesty, The King, to everyone who has played a role in bringing this vision to life. The Place stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnerships, shared ambition and a commitment to delivering vital services that will benefit this community, not just for years to come, but hopefully for generations to come.’’
Henry Cator OBE, High Steward of Great Yarmouth, Chair of Great Yarmouth Town Deal Board and Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, said: ‘’The Place will give young people opportunities for careers and a bright future – it is in their hands that the future of this wonderful and proud town rests. I hope all the points of learning here will be taken advantage of, providing the opportunity for people to reach and aspire to the careers they seek.’’
Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ‘’This transformation represents one of Great Yarmouth’s most significant regeneration projects in decades. The Place is the result of a vision, a dream of revitalising our town’s heart and creating an environment where learning, creativity and opportunity can flourish.
‘’This is not just a space for education – it is a space for community. It’s a place where people can gather, interact, learn and enjoy all the vibrancy our town has to offer.
‘’None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of our partners – Norfolk County Council, East Coast College and the University of Suffolk are all committed to providing learning opportunities here at The Place – Their investment in the future of our borough speaks volumes about their belief in our community and its potential.’’
Councillor Kay Mason Billig, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: I am struck by the sense of history at The Place which has been so beautifully preserved. But we can be in no doubt this is a truly modern, forward-thinking facility. For us at Norfolk County Council, The Place is home to our newest local library. Our libraries put our services at the very heart of our communities – they are spaces where people of all ages can come to explore and learn and we celebrate the opening of this remarkable new facility.’’
Paul Padda, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of East Coast College, said: ‘’This is a significant milestone in our community. The Place represents a beacon of opportunity: a place where individuals from all walks of life can come to expand their knowledge, develop new skills and pursue their passions. We are incredibly proud of the of our facilities here and the diverse range of programmes we intend to offer at The Place.’’
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, Professor Jenny Higham, said: “We have a fully-equipped, simulated hospital ward in this fantastic building which we aim to use to deliver nursing, nursing associate and assistant practitioner courses, which can develop the skills much-needed by local NHS providers.
‘’As a civic university, we can also offer so much more – we hope to help generate economic growth for Great Yarmouth by building collaborative relationships with regional businesses and employers and supporting their workforce needs and development.”
Alistair Broadberry, Area Director Morgan Sindall Construction, said: I am immensely proud of the team working on this landmark building and working with GYBC. It has been absolutely fantastic working on such a bold and ambitious project.’’
Further information about the services and courses available at The Place can be found at www.gytheplace.co.uk
