Official opening date revealed for Great Yarmouth's new library and learning hub - The Place

Tuesday, May 13, will see The Place welcome guests and the public to celebrate the opening with a range of activities and tours for people to mark the completion of one of the biggest regeneration projects the town has seen in recent years.

The ambitious scheme has seen the historic Palmers department store in the Market Place transformed into a cutting-edge new library and learning centre with courses provided by Norfolk County Council's Adult Services, East Coast College and University of Suffolk.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ''We are absolutely thrilled to be opening The Place. It has been an incredibly complex project to completely refurbish this historic building, and the result is hugely impressive.

''The Place heralds a new dawn for Great Yarmouth and reflects our commitment to regenerating the borough and raising the aspirations of our residents. It is an amazing venue with a superb new library and provides a convenient location for people to pursue their learning journey - right through to degree level.

''It will breathe new life into the town centre, increasing footfall and making the Market Place more attractive and a magnet for more people - residents, visitors and those who work and study in the borough.''

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.

Paul Padda, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at East Coast College, said: "At East Coast College, we're dedicated to improving access to education for all members of our community, including adult learners.

''Whether it's maths and English, a short course in floristry or photography, or even a degree-level qualification, we offer opportunities for all individuals looking to upskill, reskill or learn something new.

''The Place is an exciting new development that will provide local residents with outstanding opportunities to pursue adult education right in the heart of Great Yarmouth."

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Great Yarmouth and the wider area and we look forward to working with employers to deliver a range of courses and training, from apprenticeships through to bespoke Continuing Professional Development, that they need to develop their workforces."

Work at the 5,300 sqm, five-storey venue has been led by Morgan Sindall Construction and has sensitively retained the conservation area appearance of the building.

As part of the project's commitment to sustainability, 45 tonnes of Co2 have been saved during the work by rationalising the amount of steelwork used by keeping the existing structure of the building and by reducing the amount of glazed screens used.

The majority of the labour used for the work was sourced from within 20 miles and most of the project spend has been with local small to medium-sized businesses. A number of students from local colleges also enjoyed work experience or apprenticeships during the construction - some going on to full-time roles.

The new library at The Place will be open to the public from May 6 and further information about the services and courses available at The Place can be found at www.gytheplace.co.uk