In partnership with Historic England, East Suffolk Council, Lowestoft Town Council, East Suffolk Building Preservation Trust and Lowestoft Vision are working together to revitalise the town through the North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone and the London Road, Lowestoft High Street Heritage Action Zone. As part of this project, the original features of the façade of the former Tuttles department store (in Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone), were being restored.

Steria Consulting was employed by MS Oakes to advise on the structural solutions to accommodate the proposed scheme without a requirement to reconstruct the entire elevation. This project has been shortlisted for the Quality of Place Awards (winners to be announced in November/December 2024) which celebrate the best building design, conservation and landscape projects in East Suffolk.

Find out more about the Heritage Action Zone rejuvenation project.

Managing Director, MS Oakes Ltd says: “We engaged Steria to act as our Structural Engineer for the design of temporary works, survey of the existing structure, and structural masonry support. The service provided and practical solutions given enabled the project to progress in line with expectations, despite continued changes and unforeseen issues with the original structure.”