East Lindsey receives over £8 million for its heritage assets (Levelling Up Fund 2)
The Levelling Up Fund awarded East Lindsey District council over £8 million to safeguard three at risk heritage locations in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Spilsby Sessions House
Sessions House in Spilsby will be redeveloped into a creative and cultural hub. The restoration of the building will create a range of spaces for cultural and educational activities, including:
- a new flexible performance space
- a new community and education space
- a new function room for community events
- a new bar, cafe and gallery
“Locally there’s not that many opportunities because it’s a small area and they all require you to travel quite far, so with the theatre, it’s close enough to have the opportunity to perform” Grace Byrne, local artist
Alford Manor House
Alford Manor House is a significant visitor attraction. The manor house will be repaired and improved including the creation of a new permanent function space to replace the temporary marquee. Other improvements include:
- relocation and improvement of the tearoom and kitchen to provide more space for the heritage display within the museum.
- improvements to the site entrance and car park
“With £4.9 million from Levelling Up Fund, Spilsby Sessions House is being transformed and is now on its way to having a new lease of life” Bruce Knight, Spilsby Sessions House Arts Director.
Alford Windmill
Alford Windmill once produced flour and supported a thriving café and shop. The mill which is on the ‘Heritage at Risk’ register is now in need of major repairs. Levelling Up funding will support several critical improvements on the site:
- the Windmill will be brought back into working order
- the Millers Cottage will be restored and turned into a new holiday cottage
- the Bakery, Sail House and Engine Shed will be brought back into use
- a new building will be created housing the Millwrights story, the historic Thompson Collection, a new cafe and a shop
“The Levelling Up Funding gives us that belief that what we have is of value, they are all very positive projects and only good things will come from them” Tim Wright, local shop owner
These improvements will enable the Windmill to reopen and become a major visitor attraction.
Find out more about Levelling Up
Find out more about the projects through the recently created videos for the Lincolnshire Wolds ‘Levelling Up Funded’ projects.