Progress is continuing to transform the former Lowestoft Post Office into a creative arts venue.
The London Road North building, dating from 1880, is being brought back into use by East Suffolk Council, with works focused on restoring and upgrading the historic structure to ensure its long-term preservation and continued use by the community.
Investment from East Suffolk Council, Arts Council England and Messums Org is transforming the former post office into a visual arts and creative venue, with Messums East managing the building to bring national and international significant artwork to the town as well as shining a spotlight on local and regional artists.
Key developments across the scheme, which spans four buildings over three floors and covers 1,500 square metres, include the installation of the external lift core, along with the creation of spaces for the ground floor studio, Makers Yard and a café. Mechanical and electrical systems have also been installed, while restoration and repair works continue to the 19th century building.
Cllr Caroline Topping Leader of East Suffolk Council said:
“The Council and its partners are committed to bringing this wonderful building, at the heart of Lowestoft town centre, back into use and welcoming local people into the space once again.
“The restoration of this deteriorating much-loved landmark means we can open up areas that have never been accessible to the public before, creating new opportunities for people to explore, learn and enjoy. It is being carefully and sensitively restored for creative use, alongside other sites in and around the town centre. Together, these projects will deliver a range of complementary offers, helping to create a vibrant, connected cultural and community destination.”
While the full benefits of the Post Office will be realised once it opens to the public, the project is already delivering social, economic, and environmental value during the construction phase through East Suffolk Council’s contract with Barnes Construction.
To date, over £2.5 million has been spent with local small and medium-sized businesses within a 45-mile radius of the Post Office, providing significant support to the local economy.
Sarah Norrey, Social Value Coordinator at Barnes Construction said:
“From the outset of this project in March 2025, our ambition was to deliver meaningful social value in Lowestoft, ensuring the regeneration created lasting benefits for the local community. By prioritising local suppliers, creating employment opportunities for local people, supporting community organisations, and providing hands-on trade apprenticeship placements, we’ve made a real and measurable difference. A standout achievement has been our partnership with Lofty Heights, where seven Lowestoft residents who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) gained valuable training and clear pathways into the construction industry. We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved so far and remain committed to maximising social value as the project progresses towards completion later this year.”
The project has also supported local community initiatives, including donating two sanders to the Lowestoft Men’s Shed to enhance workshop capacity and support skills development, creativity and social connections. Funding was also provided to Friends of Fen Park for equipment to support nature-based activities with schools and families, encouraging environmental stewardship and shared pride in local green spaces. In addition, a local artist worked with residents at Beaconsfield House to transform an external courtyard with Lowestoft-inspired artwork, creating a vibrant space for residents to socialise and spend time together.
The restoration and redevelopment of the Post Office is expected to be completed by the end of the year, followed by a fit-out phase funded and managed by Messums before the site opens to the public.
About the building
Listed areas of the building will house exhibitions and gallery spaces for the public to explore. East Suffolk artist Laurence Edwards, whose work features on South Beach at First Light Festival with Messums East, will occupy the ground floor studio. At the Makers Yard, visitors will be able to engage with his process and help shape a permanent bronze sculpture for the town, commissioned with East Suffolk Council.
Messums East will host artist-in-residence programmes, providing visiting artists with the opportunity to live and work within the building. As part of their residency, artists will contribute a legacy by leaving behind artwork and creative outputs to inspire future visitors.
The building designed by Chaplin Farrant, will also include dedicated archive and library spaces to support research and study. A teaching space will offer workshops designed for schools and community groups, encouraging creative learning and participation.
On the top floor, the former telephone exchange will be transformed into a space for conversation, collaboration, and private exhibitions. This area will provide a welcoming environment for people to come together, share ideas and engage.
Messums East has been actively delivering activity in the town for some time, working in close partnership with Seagull Theatre and other local groups to engage the community. Even before the opening of the Post Office, they had delivered more than twenty creative learning sessions, reaching over 520 participants in the past year.
One example of this work was a five-day residency in December 2025 by artist Kaori Kato. During her time in Lowestoft, she delivered six workshops engaging more than 145 participants, including adults, local schools, families, and art students from East Coast College.
