Vinci on Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens restoration

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has appointed VINCI Building as the main contractor for the restoration of the town’s Grade II* listed Winter Gardens, marking a major milestone in the multi-million-pound regeneration of the iconic seafront structure.

The updated designs include high-performance glazing, modern heating and cooling systems, integrated planting, rainwater harvesting, and decarbonisation features, all aimed at reducing long-term operating costs and enhancing the visitor experience. Community spaces, catering facilities, and areas for leisure, entertainment, and learning are also part of the vision.

Initial enabling works, including the cleaning of the historic ironwork, are scheduled to begin this autumn. The Winter Gardens, closed to the public since 2008, is the UK’s last surviving Victorian glasshouse on a seaside promenade and has been listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register due to its deteriorating condition.

The restoration project follows extensive collaboration with national stakeholders, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and academic partners such as the John Innes Centre and the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability. These partners have contributed to the planning and design of a reimagined facility that combines architectural conservation with sustainability.

VINCI Building’s Regional Director, Paul Tumelty, described the project as a privilege and said it aligns closely with the firm’s commitment to community-focused construction. “We are delighted to have been selected as construction partner to return the Winter Gardens to its former glory as the jewel in the crown of Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile,” he said.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said the appointment of VINCI Building was a crucial step in delivering a “nationally and internationally significant landmark building.” He emphasised the council’s aim to create an inclusive, year-round facility that remains freely accessible to local residents while boosting the area’s tourism offer.

The restoration is backed by significant funding, including £12.3 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £6 million from the Government’s UK Towns Fund, and £500,000 from Historic England. The project has already received industry recognition, winning the Architects’ Journal Retrofit Award in the “Future Reuse” category for its environmentally conscious design approach.

Built in Torquay between 1878 and 1881 and relocated to Great Yarmouth in 1904, the Winter Gardens stands as a testament to Victorian engineering in cast iron and glass. Once restored, the facility is expected to reopen in the second half of 2027.