Rocket House Café to stay open during repair works

The Rocket House Café, on the first floor of Cromer’s Rocket House building, will stay open despite repairs that are set to take place at the ground floor RNLI Henry Blogg Museum later this year.

Earlier this year the RNLI served a break notice to the district council, which owns the building, to terminate its lease over a chronic damp problem causing costly damage to its collection. 

But this week North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) announced a short-term lease arrangement which will allow the museum to stay open until October 31, 2024.

After this date, the RNLI intends to move into a temporary home until the repair works are completed, before returning to the Rocket House.

READ MORE: Norfolk museum to stay open this summer despite fears it could shut altogether

Robbie Kirtley, the owner of The Rocket House Café in Cromer (Image: Adam Barker)

The works are expected to take up to 33 weeks, but Robbie Kirtley, owner of the Rocket House Café, says the café will remain open throughout. 

"I'm really happy the museum is going to be staying here in Cromer where it belongs," Mr Kirtley said. 

"While the works are ongoing, the Rocket House Café will be open as usual. 

"It's great works are being done to keep this iconic building here for many years to come."

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Jacqui Palmer, RNLI heritage development manager, said: “I’m delighted we’re staying throughout the summer.

“We’re also excited for our future at the Rocket House once repairs are complete."

"We still need a home while building repairs happen so please contact us, if you know of somewhere locally – even a site where we could put up a temporary structure is of interest.”