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 Skegness Town Centre Transformation Project aims to revitalise and regenerate 60+ buildings within Skegness’ Town Centre through the reinstatement and repair of historic shopfronts and upper floors including facilitating reuse where applicable making it a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.
Public Realm and works in Tower Gardens will complement this reinforcing the connection from the station to the foreshore shown in the other projects in the Skegness Investment Plan. It has been proven that public realm works encourages individuals to come together as a community and experience a place, increases safety, improves wellbeing for residents, increases attractiveness for all increasing visitor numbers and creates economic and social development.
It will support up to 100 businesses to improve their buildings and businesses. The economic impact of transformations through historic building frontages repaired and transforming the look of Skegness’ town centre will mean that it will become more appealing to visitors, aesthetics, and improve the perception of the town.
The town is not currently considered to be ‘historic’. Investing in improving its character and appearance offers an opportunity to showcase local heritage, by increasing awareness and inciting a sense of pride in place. This will add to the place brand and will enhance and improve visitor numbers and offer year round interest.
An uplift in business rates from vacant floorspace brought back into use and at least 10 empty properties brought back into active use will support the local council and encourages other businesses to set up shops within the local town area as they join a vibrant community of shop owners who feel supported and proud of their local area. This will then increase visitor and tourist footfall due to this increase in business activity and value.
Encouraging and supporting ‘above shop living’, maximising floor space within these buildings and also increase much needed bed stock to the area supports the British High Street and Covid recovery. An improved offer with more people living and working in the town to spend and put back into the local economy.
More mixed-use spaces within the scheme area will also create more job opportunities and flexibility for businesses enabling the development of small businesses within the town that may not otherwise feel able to make this transition within their business. It will also benefit the environment, local economy and create a more vibrant town centre for people.
Supporting skills and enterprise infrastructure which will drive private sector investment and ensure Skegness have the space to support skills and small business development as well as supporting the local employment through procurement of local building contractors, craftspeople and encourage the development of heritage skills. This will also create new jobs locally through the new businesses as the activity and requirement of them increases with the project.
This project presents a once in a generation opportunity to tackle the core town centre area which has suffered from years of underinvestment.
Heritage Lincolnshire have been working in Boston on the current Townscape Heritage Project and have a portfolio of completed projects and ongoing transformations. Please click here for an idea on the type of repairs and improvements that can be made with these transformational grants.
Updates
The Connected Coast Annual Report 2023 for Skegness has now been published, showcasing the exciting projects investing in the transformation of the seaside town, including the Skegness Town Centre Transformation Project led by ourselves at Heritage Lincolnshire.
If you would like to read the Skegness Annual Report please click here.
Or to hear about the project’s progression, you can watch the full Skegness Annual Report Film here.
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 Skegness Town Deal Expression of Interest form below:
Questions? Contact the team at towndeals@heritagelincolnshire.org
Updates:
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14th June 2022 ‘Millions in Government Funding Confirmed for Lincolnshire‘
21st June 2022 ‘Making waves in Skegness as Heritage Lincolnshire get green light to deliver multi-million Town Centre Transformation’
Follow the Department of Leveling Up, Communities and Housing who are responsible for the Town Deals on any of the following platforms to find out about the Town Deals in your area; Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.