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Art Deco venue up for sale with no guide price

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromGorleston-on-Sea
Arnold Keys The Ocean Room, a large rotunda building of the Art Deco style, on Gorleston sea front. In the foreground is the roof of the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, which features a barrel felt roof and four copper domes. To the left is the Pier Hotel, an 1880s brick building with white windows. There is a lawned area and bandstand to the right of the Ocean Room, and the golden sand beach of Gorleston-on-Sea and the North Sea to the centre/top of the image.Arnold Keys
Andrew Turner/BBC The Ocean Room is an Art Deco rotunda building, painted grey and white. It features steps up to the front doors, above which is the sign reading: "Ocean Room". There are hand rails on the roofline, a symbol of when the roof was used as a public sun terrace.Andrew Turner/BBC
The Ocean Room is being marketed for 'offers' but interested parties will have to prove they have funds to invest in repairing or redeveloping the site
Thousands of people have gone through the doors of the Ocean Room, which closed in March 2024 owing to a decline in trade, the operators said

Estate agents have started to market a 1930s seaside music and dance venue for sale - but have not listed a guide price to potential buyers.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council voted in March to sell the freehold of the Art Deco Ocean Room in Gorleston, after it closed in 2024.

A non-invasive structural report identified defects that could cost £800,000 to remedy, but warned that the cost could double if a full invasive survey was carried out.

Guy Gowing, senior partner at Arnolds Keys, said: "The building does require refurbishment and investment, but its wonderful location and rich history make this a very attractive prospect for serious players in the leisure and tourism sector."

Andrew Turner/BBC Guy Gowing has long greying dark hair, and is wearing a blue jacket, blue shirt and a blue tie with pink diamond patterns down the length. He is standing on the roof terrace of the Ocean Room, with unglazed windows within the shelters of the rotunda. Beyond Mr Gowing is a view of Gorleston Cliff and the lower esplanade with its parade of cafes, ice cream parlours and amusements arcades.Andrew Turner/BBC
Guy Gowing from Arnold Keys says any serious contenders need to show they have the financial backing to undertake significant repairs

Built in 1939 as the Floral Hall, the Ocean Room is a distinctive rotunda building, and for the past 50 years has operated as a night club and function venue.

It has played host to acts including Rag'n'Bone Man, Blur and Mike Tyson, and featured in the Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle Beatles-inspired film, Yesterday.

The 15,000 sq ft seafront building includes a 10,000 sq ft circular main entertainment area as well as bars and kitchens, and a large south-facing terrace accessed from the promenade and beach.

'Unique opportunity'

The venue is being marketed with potential in leisure, healthcare or nursery use, which are permitted under the existing planning permission.

But as well as expressing financial offers, interested parties will have to demonstrate they have sufficient funding in place to meet the cost of extensive repairs.

Mr Gowing said he had already received expressions of interest from local and national leisure operators.

He added: "This unique opportunity allows for the creation of a prominent bar, restaurant, or other leisure facility, enhancing Gorleston's appeal as a tourist destination.

"The property is being sold by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, who fully support its refurbishment and redevelopment.

"The landmark building offers the opportunity to create a 'key leisure venue which will add value to Gorleston's tourist offering' once it has been refurbished and redeveloped."

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