Major Milestone Reached at Lowestoft Arts Hub - Barnes Construction

East Suffolk Council has this week celebrated reaching a significant milestone in transforming the former Lowestoft Post Office into a vibrant arts venue. 

Representatives from the Council and its partners took part in a steelwork signing ceremony at the site on London Road North yesterday (Wednesday 15 October) following the first phase of steelwork being installed which will form the new ground floor creative studio and café. 

Owned by East Suffolk Council, the building is being brought back into use thanks to funding secured from the Towns Fund, Arts Council England, and Messums Org, with the aim of creating new cultural opportunities for residents and visitors and supporting the growth of Lowestoft’s creative economy. 

Planned to open in late spring 2026, the 1,500 square metre site, including the Grade II listed former Post Office and surrounding buildings, are being transformed into a vibrant visual arts and cultural venue. Designed by Norwich-based architects Chaplin Farrant, the redeveloped space will open as Messums East, offering gallery and exhibition areas, short-stay accommodation for visiting creatives, a café, and a dedicated artist’s studio for internationally renowned sculptor Laurence Edwards. 

Following the event, signatures from organisations involved in the regeneration project will be encapsulated within the brickwork of the building as a lasting reminder of the people and collaboration between them to bring it back to life. 

Cllr Caroline Topping Leader of East Suffolk Council said:

“The signing of the steelwork marks a proud milestone in restoring this iconic building and regenerating it into a creative hub for Lowestoft. It was fantastic to bring everyone together today to celebrate the works that are underway and the partnerships working together to shape the space into a vibrant destination for people to come together, connect and be inspired.” 

We started internal restoration, and redevelopment of the Grade II listed building in March 2025. Work currently being undertaken includes foundations for the lift and stairs, structural repairs, roof works, uncovering and cleaning glazed bricks as well as reconfiguring the buildings to accommodate their new layout and uses.  

Alongside construction, we have been working with groups including Lowestoft Men’s Shed, Access Community Trust, Friends of Fen Park, and Lofty Heights, as well as East Coast College and local schools, to offer training and skills development and activities for people living locally to get involved in. 

Cllr Topping added:

“This project is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s vital that our regeneration contracts deliver additional benefits for local communities and young people. I’d like to thank the community representatives here today for their invaluable contributions to the social initiatives that are connected to the construction phase of the project being led by Barnes Construction, which are helping to build a stronger, more connected community for the future.” 

Mark Bailey, Divisional Director for Barnes commented:

“The steelwork signing ceremony marks a major milestone in transforming this historic post office into a vibrant arts space, that celebrates heritage, regeneration, and creativity. This refurbishment is more than just a building project – it’s about building opportunity, and as the principal contractor, we’re proud to be delivering meaningful social value through local employment, skills development and community engagement. We are looking forward to seeing it thrive as a hub for arts, culture, and connection – an inspiring example of how construction can help shape a better future.”