A new library and learning hub in Great Yarmouth, known as The Place, officially opened to the community last week, heralding the completion of a £17 million regeneration project delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction's Eastern Counties business on behalf of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Nearly 150 guests gathered for opening speeches and refreshments before The Lady Dannatt MBE, Lord-Lieutenant for Norfolk, unveiled a commemorative plaque. Following the ceremony, Councillor Paula Waters-Bunn, Mayor of Great Yarmouth, cut the celebratory cake. Attendees then enjoyed guided tours of the refurbished five-storey building, exploring the new library, adult learning facilities, and registrar services.

Housed in the former Palmers department store on Market Place, the 5,300 sqm venue has undergone a sensitive top-to-bottom refurbishment, preserving its conservation-area character. Historical displays and photographs of Palmers’ iconic window installations were showcased to honour the building's heritage.

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Inside, visitors discovered:

• A fully fitted public library

• Multipurpose learning hub and general teaching classrooms

• State-of-the-art IT labs, art and photography studios

• Technology and medical classrooms, plus a simulation hospital and function space

• Facilities for East Coast College and the University of Suffolk, offering degree, diploma, and adult-learning courses

The project was funded through a combination of sources: £8.1 million from the Government's Town Deal, £3.4 million from the Future High Streets Fund, £3.7 million from East Coast College and the University of Suffolk, and £2.3 million from Norfolk County Council.

Morgan Sindall also used the redevelopment to address the construction skills gap. Seventy students from East Norfolk Sixth Form and East Coast College toured the site during construction, while two T-level students and three brickwork students received work placements, two of which secured full-time roles with supply-chain partner Quantrill Contractors.

In line with Morgan Sindall's sustainability goals, the project boosted the building’s EPC rating from B to A by installing 32 photovoltaic panels, large-scale air-handling units, breathing-buildings ventilation, time-sensor LED lighting, and thermal upgrades. All pallets were recycled through Pallet Loop, and scrap metal proceeds—donated by European Metal Recycling—benefited the local charity 'The Feed'.

"It is an absolute pleasure to celebrate the opening of this transformational scheme for Great Yarmouth. The whole project team is immensely proud of our work to regenerate this beloved landmark building into the community’s new library and learning hub, and it’s been excellent to continue our partnership with Great Yarmouth Borough Council throughout," said Alister Broadberry, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in the Eastern Counties. "It has been absolutely fantastic to work on such a bold and ambitious project, and we very much look forward to seeing the whole community enjoy The Place for many years to come."