National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
Our support – awarded to the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust – will enable the full restoration of the building’s structure and the rejuvenation of the Iron Duke as a vibrant centre of the community.
The pub, which is Grade II listed and neighbours a coastal Site of Special Scientific Interest, has been vacant and deteriorating since 2007. Its refurbishment aims to preserve original architectural elements, such as the Art Deco detailing, ensuring that its historical character is protected.
By restoring the pub’s traditional use as a hospitality venue and adding new features, such as holiday lets, the project plans to generate local jobs and attract tourists to the Norfolk coast.
Restoring a community hub
Throughout the refurbishment, the project will also deliver a series of community-driven activities focused on skills, conservation and engagement, including:
- pop-up history events for memory-sharing, supported by the local library
- sessions that explore the area's cultural heritage through traditional foods related to migration, agriculture and the herring industry
- volunteering opportunities to help landscape the surrounding grounds and enhance local biodiversity
- catering placements and heritage conservation skills training, supporting the restoration while sharing career-relevant experiences
The community’s enthusiasm for the project is evident in the more than 100 volunteers who have expressed interest in supporting the pub’s restoration, either through hands-on work, promotion or educational activities.
Local people recall the pub’s central role in the lives of families across generations. As well as being a spark for local regeneration, the project aims for the Iron Duke to become a treasured community asset once again.
Find out more about the restoration or explore further projects we’re funding at the centre of their communities.
