Venue that hosted Blur to be demolished for revamp

It was a nightclub that once attracted bands like Blur, Pink Floyd and Cream, but it could soon play host to more sedate and family-friendly activities.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has finally agreed the sale of the Ocean Room in Gorleston, Norfolk, after a year of negotiations.

It has been bought for £500,000 by Ocean Pavilion, a subsidiary of Bespoke Construction Group, which hopes to usher in a "new chapter" for the site.

The company has suggested replacing it with a soft play area, indoor games space, coffee shop, and a wellness centre and spa.

A spokesperson said the seafront site had "incredible potential".

"The Ocean Room holds a special place in the hearts of many and the team recognises the building's removal will be a source of genuine disappointment for the community," the developer said.

"However, it should be noted that the council itself identified significant structural concerns with the building before the site was sold."

The seaside venue will be demolished before being replaced with a new building.

Formal plans are yet to be lodged with the council and a consultation is due to take place to gather views from the public on the designs.

The Ocean Room originally opened in 1939, known as the Floral Hall, and it closed in 2024.

Structural surveys then revealed the original building would need about £1m spent on repairs to bring it back into use.

The project is expected to create up to 50 new jobs.

When news of the sale was first announced, campaigners attempted to get the building listed as a community asset, but this was rejected by the council.

The authority said some of the proceeds of the sale would go towards a fundraising drive for the Pavilion Theatre to help secure the future of the site.

The theatre, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, sits opposite the Ocean Room and is still owned by the council.

Carl Smith, Conservative leader of the council, said: "We are naturally disappointed that no-one came forward with a proposal that would have seen the Ocean Room restored to its former glory.

"However, we recognise the reality that the condition of the building means that is not economically viable given the costs and complexities."

He also said it seemed "entirely appropriate" that some of the sale money went towards safeguarding the Pavilion Theatre.

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