Client Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust
Project Conversion of Tower Curing Works
Location Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Services Adaptation of Grade II listed
19th Century Herring Curing Works into Museum
The new 'Time and Tide' Museum of Great Yarmouth Life has been converted from a 19th Century herring curing works. This skilful conversion of a derelict building has been guided by the principle of retaining the existing character of the curing works, to the extent of allowing the smell of smoked fish, ingrained in wood, to remain. Purcell Miller Tritton helped to prepare a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund on behalf of Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust drawing upon its considerable experience in museum refurbishments in the region, including the £12million redesign of the Norwich Castle Museum and the recently opened Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth.
The new museum stands on the large triangular-shaped site of the old curing works on Blackfriars Road in the South Denes area of Great Yarmouth. The Grade II-listed site which had been standing derelict since 1989 had to be made safe before it could be surveyed, following years of neglect and vandalism, particularly arson attacks. The design combines the existing multi-layered history of the original 19th Century building with areas of sensitive new structural work, fittings and service installations. Elements such as the tall smoke houses which still retain their fishy aroma and two metre deep pits - or steeps - in which fish were soaked in brine for weeks have been kept, and form a significant part of the museum tour. A variety of new spaces have been created, including a sizeable reception area with disabled access and an alleyway - known in Great Yarmouth as a Row - which is a reconstruction of one of the narrow lanes that once led from the quayside into the town. Many of the original roof trusses had to be raised, and where alterations such as new doorways have been introduced the frame has been made in galvanized steel to show it as a new addition.
The large gates at the entrance to the new museum, reclaimed granite setts, lead to the courtyard, from which rises a mast-like structure made of galvanized steel 30 metres high. This supports canopies made from tensioned fabric, reminiscent of the sails of the thousands of fishing boats which once sailed from Great Yarmouth, which protects restored fishing boats below.
