Published: Thursday, 11th December 2025
Plans have been approved to sensitively breathe new life into one of King’s Lynn’s most beloved landmarks for the benefit of residents and visitors.
This is part of wider ambitions to make more of the historic riverfront.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has secured Listed Building Consent to bring the grade I-listed Custom House back into sustainable use as a flexible, accessible space, as a key part of the Town Deal regeneration programme.
Light-touch revitalisation of the Custom House and historic setting is part of a wider vision to maximise the potential of the historic riverfront, recognised as a currently-underused asset, and attract more people to the area, while protecting, respecting and preserving its unique heritage.
The council is taking a minimum-intervention approach to revitalisation that will retain almost all the historic fabric, including the west elevation window fabric and the north and south elevation doors, and will see the building carefully cleaned, repaired and conserved, including works to the stonework, windows, roof and cupola.
Inside, key upgrades will ensure the building is welcoming for all, meets accessibility standards and supports flexible use. These include an accessible toilet, a platform lift taking visitors to the first floor so they can appreciate the beautiful Long Room, plus improved toilets and a new kitchenette on the top floor, which will allow the two office spaces to be brought back into use.
Outside, there will be a series of complementary improvements to Purfleet Quay, upgrading lighting and bringing in electrical provision, allowing this open space to be better used for events.
Further project development work can now proceed and once a specialist contractor has been appointed and a start date confirmed, conservation works are expected to take around a year.
Councillor Simon Ring, the Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, said: “This is fantastic news for the Custom House and the people of King’s Lynn, following hot on the heels of work starting at St George’s Guildhall. Everyone recognises the Custom House is the signature building of King’s Lynn and we need to ensure it’s open, accessible and welcoming.
“The granting of Listed Building Consent is a key milestone and we now have further project development work to do before a start date can be confirmed. It is part of our wider vision under the emerging King’s Lynn Masterplan to make more of our historic riverfront, linking up both ends with more things for people to see and do, to create the vibrant attractive destination we know it can be for residents and visitors alike.
“Through sensitively revitalising one of King’s Lynn’s truly iconic historic landmarks, this will bring so many benefits for our community alongside supporting tourism and hopefully further investment along the riverfront. I would like to thank Historic England, the Neighbourhood Board, council officers and everyone who has given their support during this process to date.”
Led by the borough council in partnership with King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, the Town Deal programme is helping to unlock the full potential of our unique place for local communities, delivering new facilities, opportunities and jobs for residents, supporting the local economy and making more of our rich heritage buildings and spaces for a stronger and sustainable future.
Andrew Stevenson, riverfront project champion on King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, said: “Securing Listed Building Consent is testament to the huge amount of work that has happened behind the scenes and is a key milestone in our shared ambition to make more of the historic riverfront and one of King’s Lynn’s most beloved landmarks.
“Lots of important work continues to take place to progress these ambitions, which respond directly to the community’s desire to create new things for people to see and do here, while protecting, respecting and preserving its unique heritage for future generations. I look forward to the exciting next steps.”
Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England said: “The Custom House in King’s Lynn is a significant local historic building. The planned repair and restoration work will help to secure its long-term future and sustainability, enabling it to play an active role in the King’s Lynn community for generations to come.
“We’d like to thank the Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, and other partners, for their considered and collaborative approach to this project which has enabled a scheme that strikes the right balance between protecting what is significant about the Custom House while adapting it sensitively for modern use. We look forward to seeing the Custom House reopened and thriving once again.”
The Custom House project is fully funded from the £25m Town Deal grant from the Government.