Transformational multi-million-pound projects for Boston, Mablethorpe, and Skegness have been given the go-ahead by the government. Heritage Lincolnshire are proud to be delivering Town Centre Grant Schemes in all three towns to support small, local, independent businesses to bring back historic details and repair their properties.
About the project:
The Mablethorpe Town Centre Transformation Project will offer grants until the end of March 2026 to transform Mablethorpe’s neglected town centre and key gateway through a comprehensive regeneration programme. The programme aims to help improve the performance of 35 businesses through grant to improve the character and appearance of buildings and help bring empty shops and upper floors back into use.
The grant scheme will support local property owners/occupiers in the High Street to carry out improvements to the façades of buildings, replacing signage, introducing high quality shopfronts, repairs and works to bring vacant upper floors back into use. Buildings have been prioritised based on the potential impact of the proposed development on the street scene. A draft scheme of works for each property has been costed which has been used to estimate overall project spend.
Now, more than ever (post-Covid) we need to support our high streets. To remove barriers to accessing the grant present in traditional delivery models, it is proposed that design, tendering and cash flow is done centrally and applicants will only be required to invest a small amount to secure a grant. Town Deal funding presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Mablethorpe town centre, which has suffered from years of underinvestment. Grant funding will provide an incentive for owners to invest, set the standard for future development and bring Mablethorpe’s historic town centre back to its former glory.
Updates
The Connected Coast Annual Report for Mablethorpe has now been published, showcasing the exciting projects investing in the transformation of the seaside town, including the Mablethorpe Town Centre Transformation Project led by ourselves at Heritage Lincolnshire.
If you would like to read the Mablethorpe Annual Report please click here.
Or to hear about the project's progression, you can watch the full Mablethorpe Annual Report Film here.
On Thursday 14th September we held a community event in celebration of Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days 2023. We stepped through time in Mablethorpe on a walking tour of the town's historic High Street and Esplanade. Looking back to the origins of the town and looking forward to the Mablethorpe Town Deal projects.
A Marvellous Monday in Mablethorpe. Monday 5th July, the team were out and about meeting businesses, residents and visitors to talk about the town deal opportunity for this wonderful town on the Lincolnshire coast. It has so much potential and will relish the day we are seeing plans come to fruition.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will any alterations to shop fronts need planning permission/other approval?
If your shopfront is being replaced it will require planning permission. This should be handled by your architect and the same information will be required for Planning Permission as the grant application, such as detailed drawings of the replacement shopfront.
If you are replacing the signage to the shop, then it will require advertising planning consent. This should be handled by your architect.
How long would it take to put in a replacement shopfront?
Each case is different; however, with shopfront reinstatement the replacement shopfront is usually manufactured offsite and then brought in and assembled at your shop. The installation onsite usually takes between 1 and 3 weeks. Within that time there might be alternative access options available to enable you to keep trading.
Can the grant scheme support internal works?
The scheme is only for the external elements of the building. Although internal areas affected by the installation of a shopfront will be made good.
Does the grant scheme support the elevation facing the shopping area only?
All sides of the building are eligible, though the segments which make stronger contributions to the quality of the Town Centre will likely be prioritised. Obscured elements (like roofing behind parapets) will also be considered if they help secure the future of the building in the long term.
Will my insurance premium increase as a result of the grant funded works?
You would not expect increased insurance premiums. The toughened or laminated glass is likely to provide the same or greater protection as your current shop front. Please check with your insurance provider.
Reinstating Door Recesses
Door Recesses will often be reinstated as part of the grant-funded works. If there is a local security issue these can be shut off when the business is closed using attractive concertina gates which can be funded through the grant.
Can I retain existing security lighting, cameras and alarms?
Yes! These can be attractively incorporated into the new shopfront design and the cost of repositioning can be included in the grant funding. There is also the opportunity to remove redundant security measures and wiring
Can the grant cover other security measures such as shutters?
Roller shutters usually make an area look worse, especially at night when businesses are shut. There are many other ways to achieve the same level of security and allow people to see your branding and your shopfront. In recesses that we often bring back there can be issues and therefore well-designed gates can be included in the grant.
We will also suggest other ways that you might be able to achieve the security you need without the need for security shutters, such as frosting glazing or internal security measures.
Will the grant cover scaffolding costs?
If the scaffolding is required in relation the works covered under the grant scheme, we can contribute to the costs at the same level as works they relate to.
Will the grant cover the costs of an architect?
Yes! All architect’s fees and other professional fees, such as for a Structural Engineer, are covered by the grant at the same levels as the works they relate to.
How will my grant be paid?
Your grant will be paid after you have paid invoices to your contractor or upon the submission of a Certificate of Completion for the works and/or certification by a designated Project Manager at Heritage Lincolnshire for each item of works. To be paid, you must submit a claim form, which will be processed and approved by the grant-making organisation (in this case Heritage Lincolnshire). The term for payments will follow the standard procedure and payments will be made by BACS to your account.
What if I don’t have enough money for my contribution or to pay for the first architects fees?
No problem! Grant payment schedules can be set in negotiation with your Heritage Lincolnshire Project Manager, with the potential to provide for smaller payments (on a case-by-case basis) to ensure that delivering the project does not significantly impact on your businesses’ cashflow.
Want to find out more about how you and your business can benefit from this funding? Please complete the form below:
Questions? Contact the team at towndeals@heritagelincolnshire.org
Updates:
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Millions in Government Funding Confirmed for Lincolnshire