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New site for lifeboat service in erosion fight

Andrew Turnerin Hemsby
News imageAndrew Turner/BBC Hemsby beach and lifeboat station, with a digger on the beach repositioning concrete sea defence blocks. The lifeboat station is set back from the beach. It is a red building. The sea is at high tide, with white surf on the water.Andrew Turner/BBC
Hemsby Lifeboat has completed the purchase of new premises which will replace the current base (pictured here)

An independent lifeboat service in Norfolk has completed the purchase of a cafe so it can relocate its base as a result of coastal erosion.

Hemsby Lifeboat, near Great Yarmouth, lost its former shed in 2013, although it was used only for storage at the time, with the operational equipment housed in a new building further back from the beach.

Last year the charity began searching for alternative sites as storms annually wash away the ramp access to the beach, leaving the existing station about 20m (65ft) from the edge.

Coxswain Daniel Hurd said: "Unfortunately for us, it's hit us as much as it has everyone else, so we're now looking at moving further up Beach Road away from the erosion."

News imageAndrew Turner/BBC Hollywood Diner is a 1980s red brick building with a gabled end facing Beach Road, large windows, a canopy and signs outside, where there is a terrace outdoor dining area. The property is empty. Next to it is the brightly coloured facade of the Mirage amusement arcade, which has a wraparound glass door.Andrew Turner/BBC
Hollywood Diner was on the market with a guide price of £250,000
News imageMartin Barber/BBC Dan Hurd, wearing a black baseball cap and a yellow hi-vis coat, both branded "Hemsby Lifeboat". He is standing in front of the current lifeboat station, which is a red-clad building with blue roller-shutter doors.Martin Barber/BBC
Dan Hurd, coxswain of Hemsby Lifeboat, estimated it would cost about £500,000 to convert Hollywood Diner into a lifeboat station.

Hollywood Diner was on the market for £250,000 but Hemsby Lifeboat said it was unable to disclose the sale price, owing to commercial confidentiality,

The charity, founded in 1975, said it completed the purchase on Monday.

Mr Hurd said: "I would say we would want that [new] lifeboat station up and running by the end of next summer, if not before.

"The way it's gone this year already, we've lost sand left, right and centre down there, [so] we need to get on with that building as soon as possible.

"It's going to be a lot of fundraising. We're probably looking at half a million pounds to convert the building, so we're going to have to rattle a few buckets and hope we can get some outside people or companies to help fund this new lifeboat station."

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