logo
Great Yarmouth North Quay regeneration plans move a step closer

Great Yarmouth North Quay regeneration plans move a step closer

BBC News10-05-2025

The multi-million pound regeneration of "underutilised" land close to a resort's railway station has moved a step closer.Great Yarmouth Borough Council has appointed the construction firm Willmott Dixon to develop the 10-acre (four-hectare) site at North Quay.The council said the prospect of regenerating the North Quay Waterfront area offered "the most significant development opportunity in a generation".A planning application is expected to be submitted early next year.
Plans include the creation of leisure facilities, retail space, residential areas and revamped public spaces.Carl Smith, a Conservative councillor and leader of the council, said: "North Quay is a key site which will become a vibrant new destination and will further enhance the town's already prosperous economic future."We owe it to our residents and all those who love Great Yarmouth to create a scheme which will live up to our inspiring and innovative history."
The council secured £20m of levelling up money for the project in 2023.Some of the money was being used to "unlock the area", which included purchasing land through voluntary and compulsory orders.Last year, some homeowners told the BBC they felt "priced out of the market".No date has been set on when work will begin, or when the project is scheduled for completion.David Atkinson, national head of land and development at Willmott Dixon, said: "Over the coming months we're looking forward to working with local stakeholders to share our exciting ideas for the transformation of this key site."Trevor Wainwright, the council's Labour group leader, said he supported the scheme - describing the area as "an important strategic site".The council said no decision had yet been made on the future of three Grade II listed properties located within the proposed regeneration zone.Listed buildings are buildings of special architectural or historic interest with additional legal protection.Willmott Dixon was recently appointed to deliver a similar regeneration of Dover's town centre.It has also worked with Torbay Council to regenerate several sites in Torquay and Paignton.
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

We're Helping Founders in Financial Services Accelerate Their Potential
We're Helping Founders in Financial Services Accelerate Their Potential

FF News

time23 minutes ago

  • FF News

We're Helping Founders in Financial Services Accelerate Their Potential

One of our initiatives as a firm is to work with founders and business leaders in financial services to accelerate their ability to have an impact. That is why this month, we were pleased to announce that the Fintech Forward Programme – in collaboration with EY – is open for applications. This accelerator programme is designed to empower exceptional start-up founders and business leaders who are developing solutions that have the potential to redefine financial services. For more information or to apply, visit here . Applications are now open for the 12-week in-person and virtual programme for individuals who meet the following criteria: Applying technology to create scalable solutions within financial services. Have a live product demonstrating market traction, with annual revenues not exceeding £1 million. Show a commitment to making a positive impact on individuals and/or businesses in the UK. Are dedicated to active participation in the programme. Successful applicants will gain access to expert mentorship from bank executives, tailored workshops with industry specialists, such as a two-day offsite at J.P. Morgan's technology centre in Glasgow, and opportunities to showcase their business to potential investors and commercial partners. Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a sponsored trip to Slush in Helsinki, one of the world's most founder-focused events. To help ensure there are no barriers to participation, the Programme includes travel, accommodation and other related expenses for participants. The Fintech Forward Programme is part of JPMorganChase's broader efforts to unlock the potential of the innovation economy, recognizing the challenges facing underserved individuals and entrepreneurs who can be overlooked for investment or have unequal access to essential resources. Veronique Steiner , Head of EMEA Innovation Economy & Head of EMEA E-Commerce, Technology, Media and Telecom at J.P. Morgan Payments, says, 'At J.P. Morgan Payments, our north star is to improve the payments ecosystem and transform the movement of information, money, and assets. We're actively encouraging applications from founders or business leaders who are overcoming obstacles to growing a business, including a lack of proximity to funding and networks, and are addressing the needs of underserved consumers, businesses or communities.' Alumni of the programme will benefit from a unique network of peers and an ongoing connection with JPMorganChase, fostering continued growth, innovation and new commercial opportunity. Companies In This Post JP Morgan Chase

Homeowners warned over green energy scammers
Homeowners warned over green energy scammers

BBC News

time25 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Homeowners warned over green energy scammers

Homeowners need stronger protections against rogue traders and scammers capitalising on green energy schemes, according to Scotland's consumer Scotland warned that more people were likely to be targeted as the country transitions to low or zero-emissions heating over the next two has called on both Scottish and UK governments to ensure stronger regulation of the industry including accreditation for traders and a streamlined complaints a new report the consumer body highlighted scams involving spray foam insulation have already increased by 42% in 2023. Craig McClue, head of investigations for Consumer Scotland, said: "When we looked at this sector, in particular, we realised that Scotland has climate change targets to be net zero by 2045 and that is going to drive demand for low carbon heating technologies and insulation products."We found that, historically, there have been a lot of scams and unfair trading, and we heard evidence from our enforcement partners about just how prevalent these problems are."When you realise more than two million households are soon going to enter this sector, the risk is very real that consumers can face scams and unfair trading."He added: "We've heard strong evidence about particular egregious traders who have been targeting vulnerable consumers in Scotland."They suggest a loft surveys and suggest they make immediate decisions to get insulation, which proves unsuitable for the home, creates damp, and leads to mould."We then hear these same traders return under a new guise to take the spray foam insulation out. It is almost like a life-cycle scam."The Consumer Scotland report recommendations include better resources for enforcement bodies to tackle rogue trading and mandatory accreditation for all traders in the sector to increase consumer Ghibaldan, chief executive of Consumer Scotland, added: "The transition to net zero is one of the defining challenges of modern times."For many households, this currently means navigating a complex and unfamiliar sector often at significant cost. This journey must be made simpler, safer, and fairer."Our recommendations will help ensure consumers are empowered, protected, and supported through every stage of the transition, from initial decisions to installation protections and action to resolve complaints." 'Unfair trading practices' Fiona Richardson of Trading Standards Scotland added: "Scams, mis-selling and rogue trading continues to damage trust in the green home heating market."If consumers are to play their part in the transition to net zero, they must be protected from unfair trading practices and given the necessary confidence to engage in the sector."A UK government spokesperson said: "Allegations of fraud are taken very seriously and for UK wide schemes there is a dedicated Ofgem team working on counter fraud and whistleblowing."A Scottish government spokesperson said it welcomed the report "which highlights the need for a change to clean heating as part of Scotland's commitment to achieving net zero".They added: "It is vital people feel assured that any work carried out to decarbonise their heating is done to a high standard and represents good value for money."That's why we have been working with the UK government and Ofgem on the introduction of new consumer standards for heat network consumers – such as fair pricing and reliable supply – which will be introduced in January 2026." 'I've been a sucker... I should've known better' "I committed the cardinal sin," said David Adams, 87, a widower who lives alone in Glasgow."Someone chapped my door and I let them in."In late 2023, a representative of a company called Smarter Insulation Ltd appeared at his front door asking to talk to him about spray foam explained: "There was quite a lot going on about government grants for people. It seemed to be the thing to do, we were all getting very conscious of emissions, insulation and all the rest of it."The chap went up into the loft and took a test. He said there was damp in the air and this spray foam insulation would help."They had a good looking brochure and it all looked legit."He paid around £5,300 for the work, but a fortnight later he received a phone call from a company called the Roofing Advisory Service (RAS).In documents seen by BBC Scotland News, it warned him of "mis-selling of spray foam insulation by certain companies" and that his home was at risk from damp in the roof space and "potential issues with mortgageability and insurability in the future".In the end, he paid a further £2,750 to have insulation removed by a third company just a month was only after he paid that Mr Adams contacted Trading Standards and Advice Direct Scotland, but he remains £8,000 out of added: "You just think, 'I've been a sucker'… That's why I haven't taken any steps to get my money back."I should've known better." BBC Scotland News spoke with another spray foam customer who paid more than £5,000 to FastFoam Limited, which has the same director as Smarter later paid another firm to remove the spray foam product several weeks later at a total cost of more than £8, is an active proposal to strike off both FastFoam Limited and Smarter Insulation from the companies contacted by BBC Scotland News, a spokesman for Smarter Insulation and Fastfoam blamed RAS as being rogue sellers. He said: "Both customers mentioned have been contacted by a fraudulent company that emerged after members of our sales team departed to work with RAS."We have provided the details of numerous individuals and customers who have been contacted by RAS to Trading Standards' investigative team."Smarter and FastFoam have now ceased trading."I deeply regret that customers have had to endure such a poor experience while purchasing insulation."The BBC has been unable to reach RAS for Standards Scotland confirmed that RAS, both Smarter Insulation and FastFoam, and the company that removed Mr Adams' insulation are all currently being investigated.

North Wales Housekeeping Group Celebrates New Customers
North Wales Housekeeping Group Celebrates New Customers

Business News Wales

time31 minutes ago

  • Business News Wales

North Wales Housekeeping Group Celebrates New Customers

A North Wales housekeeping and facilities management specialist is celebrating winning a series of new customers – including the company's first in Scotland. Godfrey Group has onboarded international holiday park operator Landal to provide housekeeping for all its holiday lodges at its Barnsoul site in Dumfries. Independently owned holiday park Low Briery, near Keswick in the Lake District, has also contracted with Godfrey Group to provide cleaning services for all its lodges and cottages. A further new client is Lovat Holiday Parks which has contracted with Godfrey Group to deliver housekeeping services at its Waxham Sands holiday park in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The latest client wins come on the back of almost three years of sustained growth during which turnover and headcount have more than doubled. The company currently employs more than 300 people at sites across the UK and recently moved into a new head office at the Pool Park Estate in Ruthin. Closer to home the family-run business has also secured a contract with Love2Stay Shrewsbury, owned by Salop Leisure, which has brought in Godfrey Group to provide cleaning services for its accommodation units, central areas including café, reception and gym and shower blocks for touring and camping. Andrew Godfrey, Managing Director of Godfrey Group, said: 'We have had a very busy start to 2025 with several new customers choosing us to deliver their housekeeping and cleaning services. 'We are excited to have further cemented our position as the only UK-wide housekeeping company following our first contract in Scotland with Landal. 'The common theme we hear from customers is that they want to professionalise their housekeeping and cleaning services and believe the best way to do this is to outsource to a specialist company like Godfrey Group which has the size and scale to be able to grow with a holiday park operator in line with their requirements.' Colin Henderson, General Manager at Landal Barnsoul, said: 'Switching cleaning contractors can often be disruptive, but Godfrey Group made the transition for us effortless and the results are incredible. 'Since their introduction, we have seen a dramatic improvement in guest satisfaction. Their team doesn't just meet expectations – they exceed them.' In addition to the holiday parks division of the business, Godfrey Group is also seeing growth in other sectors where it delivers commercial cleaning and facilities management services including education, housing associations and manufacturing and industrial sites.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store