The Heritage Lottery Fund has offered a grant of £1,987,300 for the conservation of the Old King’s Head in Kirton, near Boston.
Local charity Heritage Lincolnshire has ambitious plans to rescue this historic building at risk and is set to bring it back into use as a community café and B&B. With over 25 years’ experience saving historic buildings at risk from dereliction – the Old King’s Head is set to be their 9th project after the charity purchased the building in 2016.
The Old King’s Head is Kirton’s oldest secular building and has been at the heart of the community for over 400 years, but as a historic building at risk it was on the brink of being lost forever. All that is about to change, as the grant will fund the conservation of the Old King’s Head and stables and restore this much loved local landmark back to the centre of village life. It is fitting that the former coaching inn, that is sited on the main trading road between London to Boston, is set to have an exciting future as a travellers’ rest once again.
Heritage Lincolnshire has been working their professional team to ensure the final designs demonstrate how heritage led regeneration can revitalise community assets and bring economic and social benefits to the area.
During the project there will be plenty of opportunities for local people to get involved as there is a packed programme of activities planned from a community archaeological dig, to a Heritage Explorers Club, talks and day trips as well as popular hard hat tours.
Liz Bates, Heritage Lincolnshire’s Chief Executive Officer said “We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for this grant and delighted that local national lottery players will be able to see the good cause money being spent in their area.”
“Heritage Lincolnshire plans to retain ownership of the building when it is completed and looks forward to working with local partners, such as the RSPB at Frampton Marsh, to welcome visitors to the area.”
“The project has received huge support from the local community – our crowdfunding campaign has now raised just under £6,000 and volunteers have been helping with our research, events and fundraising. We look forward to creating a new community asset in Kirton that will offer jobs and new facilities to local residents.”
Heritage Lincolnshire has also received support from the Architectural Heritage Fund, Boston Borough Council, and the Pilgrim Trust and this early stage funding has been instrumental in helping the charity to progress to the full restoration of the building. The next steps for Heritage Lincolnshire is to secure the rest of the funding to complete this project. In autumn 2018 construction work will commence and the programme will be on track for a 2020 opening.
“It’s fantastic to see this Heritage Enterprise award to The Old King’s Head. AHF assisted Heritage Lincolnshire with loan finance to purchase the at risk inn and with this award the project can be realised. It’s great to see such an enterprising approach being taken to the future of this building.” Matthew McKeague, CEO of the Architectural Heritage Fund.
If you would like to support Heritage Lincolnshire and really make a difference to this project, please get in touch via htladmin@heritagelincolnshire.org, 01529 461 499.
We are still receiving donations for the Old King’s Head via our fundraising platform, take a look at our bespoke prizes: Heritagelincolnshire.org/okh