Latest from The Iron Duke

Nov 28, 2024

PRESS RELEASE – November 2024

The Iron Duke restoration project has reached a major mile stone with the submission of the final details of the scheme to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and applications for both planning permission and listed building consent.

The first stage application to The Heritage Fund was approved in January 2023 and since then Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust and commercial partners Zaks have worked with a team of architects, consultants and other experts to develop the project to the point where with Heritage Fund approval the construction phase can begin.

The plans will see the stunning art deco building fully and faithfully restored back to how it would have originally looked in its heyday as a beacon of 1930’s modernity.

On the ground floor Zaks will create a pub in one of the two original bars serving local beers from Lacons Brewery and cocktails with a nod to the 1930’s period. The other bar will become a restaurant where food will be cooked in view of the customers. Both bars will have an art deco aesthetic which has been developed through researching the historic archives and input from conservation paint consultants.

In the past the first floor provided accommodation for the pub manager this will be repurposed to create two holiday flats helping to ensure that the investment by the Heritage Fund, Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust and Zaks will allow a long term viable solution to the currently vacant building.

The area around the building will be carefully landscaped and designs will allow access for all.

In addition to the construction and restoration work there will be a range of opportunities for the people to become involved with the project, these include learning traditional building skills, a ongoing photography recording project, workshops centred around food and cooking with an emphasis on local and low cost, a painting scheme to create murals for the hoardings around the site depicting the history of the building and much more.

It is hoped that if the stage two submission is approved work on site will begin early in 2025 aiming for a grand opening in the spring of 2026.

“This is an extraordinarily exciting project which will see a fascinating and beautiful building brought back to life. It has taken a while to reach this point but the Preservation Trust and Zaks have been careful to ensure that the correct team of professionals and consultants with the level of expertise needed for a project of this complexity were drawn together to bring a successful outcome.

The robust and thorough approach to the development period has left no stone unturned there have been extensive below ground surveys, historic paint analysis, even unexploded bomb surveys. All this work together with the sensitive architectural design work and business planning will help get the building restored and back in use.” Bernard Williamson Chair GYPT

“We are really excited to see the Iron Duke reach this major milestone. Assuming the bid is successful, we can’t wait to get in there and start serving lovely food and drink to the people of Great Yarmouth and beyond.” Ian Hacon, Zaks

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of GYBC said: ‘’We are delighted that the proposals for breathing new life into the Iron Duke have reached this stage. The pub is a key landmark in Great Yarmouth and the council has been pleased to lend its support to GYPT as it worked with heritage partners on such an ambitious vision for the future of the building. We hope the restoration of the pub will once more see residents and visitors able to enjoy and appreciate the Iron Duke.’’

About The Iron Duke

The Iron Duke is a Grade II listed building purchased by GYPT in February 2021. Since purchase the trust has made the building wind and weather tight, undertaken emergency repairs and secured the building against unlawful ingress and vandalism. They have undertaken a full measured and topographic survey, produced a heritage statement, analysis and research. Work has also included the clearance of the grounds, the removal of accumulated and hazardous waste and asbestos survey work. A detailed project plan, feasibility study, options appraisal and business plan have been produced.

About Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust

Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust was established in 1979 as a registered charity with a vision to preserve, safeguard and promote the cultural heritage of Great Yarmouth. One of the longest running building preservation trusts in the UK, the trust acquires heritage assets at risk and fully restores them back to a viable and economic use. The trust has developed and created a pioneering approach to community engagement and training.

About Chris Carr & Ian Hacon (Co-Owners of Zaks)

Whilst Zaks is known for its authentic American food locally, the team at Zaks have many years of experience in the industry. Chris Carr spent the first 12 years of his career at Whitbread, and in that time managed some of their busiest venues in the North West. He then went on to be Chief Operating Officer of Zaks under the previous ownership for 10 years and later went on to also manage and lead the redevelopment of the bars and restaurants at Kelling Heath Holiday Park which included fine dining, beer festivals and a big focus on local produce. He then became COO of another large mixed leisure complex in North Norfolk and introduced new dining and leisure experiences to the complex. He then worked as the Development Director for a small local pub chain, introducing and updating their food offering and changing the feel of their flagship site to be more family-friendly, before returning to Zaks as Co-owner in 2020.

Ian Hacon, also Co-Owner, has over 45 years of business experience in sectors such as accountancy, TV and film, oil and gas, construction, marketing and healthcare. He is a Chartered Accountant but has also spent 20 years of his career in hospitality and leisure businesses. He was Chief Exec of Blue Sky Leisure for 9 years, which at the time employed 250 people in the leisure and hospitality sector. He has sat as an Advisor / Non-Executive Director for many businesses and still sits on the board at Blue Sky Leisure.

For more info about Zaks visit www.zaks.uk.com

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. The Iron Duke project has initially been granted round one development funding of £293,356 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award.

As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in the strategic plan, Heritage 2033.

Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.

The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund www.heritagefund.org.uk