The ‘gateway’ to the Norfolk Broads has been modernised. The Great Yarmouth Yacht Station is to be opened by the town’s mayor on Friday after being revamped to benefit visitors and the town itself.

The building, on Tar Works Road, has quay attendants to help visitors with anything from mooring to advice about the town’s attractions.

Dr John Packman, Broads Authority Chief Executive, said: ‘Great Yarmouth is pivotal to the Broads network, connecting northern and southern waterways, but until recently the station at this strategic point was cramped, dingy and uninviting.

‘So we carried out a facelift which has transformed the station over recent months into a bright, inspiring visitor information centre where people can feel welcomed, informed and enlightened about the special qualities of the Broads and all that Great Yarmouth has to offer.’

An interactive touch screen has been installed for those wanting to find out more about local wildlife and heritage and a plasma screen provides important boat safety information.

Dr Packman said: ‘Engaging décor and interpretation work, including artwork kindly provided free by local printmaker Rob Barnes and a wonderful frieze relating memoirs of a wherry man, has completely changed the look of the building.’

The £25,000 project was all designed, illustrated and carried out in house by the BA with the support of Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s tourism department who have provided a map outside so if visitors arrive when it is closed they can find out local information.

The opening takes place on Friday, 26 July at 10am when the Mayor of the Borough of Great Yarmouth, Councillor John Burroughs, will be talking about the importance of the station to visitors and the town.

Dr Packman said: ‘The makeover meant the building was pulled under more of a visitor information centre umbrella, with the space opened out to form an information point for visitors and completely changed to look far more enticing and to be a more meaningful part of the Broads experience.’