Town gets new tourist information centre and council offices

Holt mayor Maggie Prior. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant)

The grade 2 listed Nelson House in White Lion Street, Holt has been bought by the town council following months of negotiation and discussions.

The TIC in Market Place will move into Nelson House and the town council, which is currently based at the community centre, will also move in.

The council will take over the running of the TIC from North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), from April 1.

The authority is committed to operating the TIC for at least five years.

The sale of the building went through on March 1 and Holt Mayor Maggie Prior said she was looking forward to it becoming a central point of Holt town centre.

Deputy Holt Mayor Richard Neech added: 'This is an exciting time for the town council and Holt. A beautiful building has been restored to its former glory to become a suitable base for the town council and the TIC.'

Holt Town clerk Elaine Oliver said: 'Scaffolding is still up around the building but the restoration work is nearly complete.

'That work was part of the purchase price, which was £375,000.

'It was a long, hard, drawn-out negotiation, and that was why we got such a good price. This will be an asset for the town council looking ahead.'

The council has been working with the Holt Society on the project and there will be a heritage room at the new building where exhibitions will be held.

She added: 'We were very keen that the TIC did not leave Holt.

'We hope to run the new centre in a very imaginative way, using more technology, and to be with the times. Holt is expanding, with new housing, and we have also brought an iconic part of the town back to life.'

Nelson House was previously used for office purposes, but has stood empty for many years.

NNDC offered a capital grant of about £98,000 towards the costs with a government loan making up the rest of the £375,000 sale price.