Post office restoration project awarded for craftsmanship

Posted by on 23 May 2023 | Comments

A major project to restore Lowestoft's former Post Office building to its former glory has been recognised with an industry award.

The restoration scheme was handed the RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award in the Individual Craftsmanship category at the Suffolk Joint Construction Committee Awards evening on 18 May.

The awards committee was made up of representatives from the National Federation of Builders, RIBA Suffolk, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Institution of Structural Engineers and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

The conservation repairs to the Post Office, in London Road North, were completed through the London Road, Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone project, funded by Historic England and Towns Fund.

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said: "This award is fantastic news and it's testament to the dedicated partnership working and superb craft skills that have combined to restore and rejuvenate the Post Office building.

"The transformation of this loved local landmark has been a major project in the Heritage Action Zone and it's wonderful to see it come to life as a community resource which will secure its future for years to come."

The project, started in January 2022 and completed in April 2023, restored the external fabric of the Grade II listed building, with RG Carter the lead contractor for the repairs, which included repairs to 49 timber windows, replacing the roof tiles, structural repairs, relocating the entrance to the centre of the building.

Specialist conservators, Aldis and May also worked on the building, completing air lime repointing, consolidation, and mortar repairs to the façade, as well as the removal of algae, lichens, sulphation crusts, dirt, and a linseed oil surface coating to conserve the fabric of the building.

Gavin Leeks, Building Solutions Manager at R G Carter, said: "We have very much enjoyed supporting the Heritage Action Zone, East Suffolk Council and Historic England in this unique refurbishment project. It has been great to see this important historic landmark and its remarkable architecture, gradually be brought back to its former glory and to know that it will once again become a space that will benefit the local community."

The works are enabling a larger redevelopment of the Post Office complex into a visual arts space. The scheme is led by Messums, distinguished gallerists recognised for revitalising old buildings and embedding them within communities through artistic enterprise, and internationally renowned sculptor Laurence Edwards who was born and raised in East Suffolk.

The hub, known as Messums East, will provide a working studio for Laurence, in addition to spaces for a revolving residency of international, national and regional artists, as well as exhibition spaces and screening room as well as a café. Laurence will also be working to create a large-scale bronze landmark sculpture for Lowestoft.

Plans for the proposed conversion have been submitted to the council's planning department for consideration and show a series of artist studios within the main Post Office, the proposed addition of an extension to provide a lift and improve accessibility to the building, as well as a café and courtyard.

Rebecca Styles, Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone Project Manager at East Suffolk Council, said: "We're thrilled to receive this recognition for the conservation repairs to the former Post Office. It's thanks to a very dedicated project team and the quality of the skilled craftspeople working on the building and support from Historic England.

"We hope the finished building will be a landmark and venue that the people of Lowestoft can be proud of for generations to come."

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