So the other weekend I was on a rather messy boys weekend away 
in Great Yarmouth,
when during one of the more sober periods we came across a couple of great looking derelict
buildings. On sunday morning I managed to drag myself out of my Hotel bed & go for a bit of a
scout around before the town got too busy. Unfortunately both of the derelict sites were locked up
tighter than a vicars daughter so all the shots are external i'm afraid.
Here is some history surrounding the Winter Gardens;
1878 Design/Construction:
Watson & Harvey (built in Torquay) – Architect
The Winter Gardens were originally constructed in Torquay, where it subsequently failed as a business. In 1904 the Great Yarmouth Corporation purchased the gardens for £1,300 (one tenth of the original cost) to improve the Wellington Pier site.
The Gardens were floated around the coast from Torquay on a barge to its new home it has had a variety of uses, including a roller-skating rink and most recently a family entertainment centre.
However, deterioration of its metal work and the wooden frame which holds the glass in place has forced the council to close the building. Fears have even been raised the structure could fall down in high winds.
When I was having a look around the gardens I had a good chat with the manageress (?) from the Pier amusements next to the gardens. She led me to believe that most likely due to the cost of the restoration required (over £6 million), chances are that nothing will happen to the Gardens until after the Olympics when more funding / grant money will become more readily avaliable. On the plus side, there is CCTV on the site & you really could not force your way in easily so at least the site should not be abused too badly in the mean time.
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Round the back by the bins....
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
The Empire Building
History;
Early in the twentieth century Great Yarmouth and nearby Gorleston were quite elegant resorts. Several of the old entertainment buildings are architecturally pleasing. Alongside the Empire are two small arcades, at right angles to the sea front, one bearing the date 1902, the other 1904.
The Empire itself is architecturally imposing for a narrow-fronted cinéariety of such an early date. The terra cotta façe is framed by giant fluted and cabled, coupled Ionic columns rising from pedestals with tall blockings over; the centre is taller with a shallow, segmentally arched recess above the entrance, containing a triple-arched balcony. Cornice and blocking over. The brick flank walls are blind-arcaded.
The auditorium has raked stalls and a single balcony and barrel-vaulted ceiling. The circle ends very close to the proscenium arch, and extends back towards the front of the building, occupying about two thirds of the length and forming an elongated horseshoe. The sides of the balcony will take a single line of seats - strangely these are not angled. It is clear that the high proscenium arch was originally flanked by Corinthian columns of which only the caps remain. There is a fly tower, with the grid and two fly rails still in position. Although now disused, this was once a fine auditorium with excellent plasterwork on the balcony fronts in the form of a series of cartouches supported by cherubs encircled with laurel wreaths. There are dressing rooms and a band room under the stage.
Currently the Empire is avaliable to rent......£75,000 per annum.
When I was looking around the site, the sides of the building are standard brickwork construction, with the front being a wonderful facade. Built up quite close to the Empire is a residential area, as I headed towards the back of the building on a sleepy sunday morning I was getting ready to take a few more shots when two
black Land Rovers roared up & discharged a quantity of burly looking 'gentlemen.' Needless to say I headed back to the main road fairly sharpish.
The Empire Building, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
The Empire Building, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
The Empire Building, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Thanks for looking.
in Great Yarmouth, when during one of the more sober periods we came across a couple of great looking derelict
buildings. On sunday morning I managed to drag myself out of my Hotel bed & go for a bit of a
scout around before the town got too busy. Unfortunately both of the derelict sites were locked up
tighter than a vicars daughter so all the shots are external i'm afraid.
Here is some history surrounding the Winter Gardens;
1878 Design/Construction:
Watson & Harvey (built in Torquay) – Architect
The Winter Gardens were originally constructed in Torquay, where it subsequently failed as a business. In 1904 the Great Yarmouth Corporation purchased the gardens for £1,300 (one tenth of the original cost) to improve the Wellington Pier site.
The Gardens were floated around the coast from Torquay on a barge to its new home it has had a variety of uses, including a roller-skating rink and most recently a family entertainment centre.
However, deterioration of its metal work and the wooden frame which holds the glass in place has forced the council to close the building. Fears have even been raised the structure could fall down in high winds.
When I was having a look around the gardens I had a good chat with the manageress (?) from the Pier amusements next to the gardens. She led me to believe that most likely due to the cost of the restoration required (over £6 million), chances are that nothing will happen to the Gardens until after the Olympics when more funding / grant money will become more readily avaliable. On the plus side, there is CCTV on the site & you really could not force your way in easily so at least the site should not be abused too badly in the mean time.
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Round the back by the bins....
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
The Empire Building
History;
Early in the twentieth century Great Yarmouth and nearby Gorleston were quite elegant resorts. Several of the old entertainment buildings are architecturally pleasing. Alongside the Empire are two small arcades, at right angles to the sea front, one bearing the date 1902, the other 1904.
The Empire itself is architecturally imposing for a narrow-fronted cinéariety of such an early date. The terra cotta façe is framed by giant fluted and cabled, coupled Ionic columns rising from pedestals with tall blockings over; the centre is taller with a shallow, segmentally arched recess above the entrance, containing a triple-arched balcony. Cornice and blocking over. The brick flank walls are blind-arcaded.
The auditorium has raked stalls and a single balcony and barrel-vaulted ceiling. The circle ends very close to the proscenium arch, and extends back towards the front of the building, occupying about two thirds of the length and forming an elongated horseshoe. The sides of the balcony will take a single line of seats - strangely these are not angled. It is clear that the high proscenium arch was originally flanked by Corinthian columns of which only the caps remain. There is a fly tower, with the grid and two fly rails still in position. Although now disused, this was once a fine auditorium with excellent plasterwork on the balcony fronts in the form of a series of cartouches supported by cherubs encircled with laurel wreaths. There are dressing rooms and a band room under the stage.
Currently the Empire is avaliable to rent......£75,000 per annum.
When I was looking around the site, the sides of the building are standard brickwork construction, with the front being a wonderful facade. Built up quite close to the Empire is a residential area, as I headed towards the back of the building on a sleepy sunday morning I was getting ready to take a few more shots when two
black Land Rovers roared up & discharged a quantity of burly looking 'gentlemen.' Needless to say I headed back to the main road fairly sharpish.
The Empire Building, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
The Empire Building, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
The Empire Building, Great Yarmouth by AdamJJ1, on Flickr
Thanks for looking.
