East Suffolk Council
Major seafront complex starts to take shape
The construction of a two-storey development on Lowestoft’s seafront has reached an important milestone, with the steel structure now emerging from the ground.
Located next to the Eastern Edge beach huts, Jubilee Rise (formerly Jubilee Parade) will comprise a two-storey restaurant and café complex, three new concession units, public toilets, and a Changing Places facility for those with accessibility needs. Construction of the steel work for Jubilee Rise began immediately after the First Light Festival and work is now progressing at pace.
A new lift will also be installed at the complex to greatly improve accessibility along the seafront for those with mobility issues and for pushchair users. The lift will connect the Upper Esplanade with the Lower Promenade, providing access to the restaurant space and first floor Eastern Edge beach huts. Constructed by PJ Spillings, Jubilee Rise is expected to be completed in early 2026.
The work at Jubilee Rise supports the wider Towns Fund programme and complements the regeneration of work at Royal Plain, Royal Green and South Quay Wharf, where a new pocket park is expected to open in the coming weeks. The park, which will feature raised planters, new seating and lighting, also has a sheltered garden backdrop from which to watch the boats leaving and returning to the port.
Cllr Tim Wilson, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Economic Development and Regeneration said: “This is an exciting stage for Jubilee Rise as the work so far on site has been ground engineering works and therefore mostly unseen. However, the steel structure is now starting to emerge, and we are looking forward to the completion of this new complex next year, which will further enhance the seafront for the benefit of residents and visitors.”
Further along the seafront, a new free-to-use Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), outdoor gym equipment and a boulder climbing area opened in June, along with extensive landscaping and new seating at Royal Green, and new benches and raised planters installed at Royal Plain. This work was delivered by Blakedown Landscapes on behalf of East Suffolk Council.
New fountains are also being installed at Royal Plain, with construction of the 7x3m plant room now underway following some unexpected technical delays. However, this is the final element of the project and once the plant room is operational, the fountains are expected to open in late summer.