Councillors from East Lindsey District Council have this week approved plans to go ahead with a £5million project to regenerate Skegness Pier, the Embassy Theatre, and land along the seafront.
funded by Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund, the spend will see redevelopment of public spaces between the Pier and the former beach chalet site to rejuvenate the area for holidaymakers, visitors and residents.
The overall scheme also supports partners Magna Vitae in transforming the Embassy Theatre and Mellor’s Group in regenerating Skegness Pier.
Cultural Revival: The Midlands Coast, led by East Lindsey District Council and overseen by the Connected Coast Board, will support the transformation of the culturally significant assets on Skegness Foreshore.
The funding will support continuing plans to establish the Embassy Theatre as a new international ‘Culture House.’ which will connect the Midlands Coast to other national and international venues and festivals.
Works will include refurbishing the auditorium and dressing rooms, creating a new interactive classroom and creative workspaces as well as VIP boxes and a refurbished light box to enable high quality productions, with improved access and facilities for all users, including installation of a Changing Places toilet.
For Skegness Pier, the application will support the first phase of ambitious, multi-million pound redevelopment project led by the Mellors Group to restore the Pier a significant new visitor attraction and cultural platform.
Redevelopment proposals include improved accessibility, upgrades to the pier’s façade, renewing the lighting and furniture on the pier.
Arts Council England funding will support the creation of a safe pedestrianised walkway on the approach, the salvaging and restoring of abandoned beach huts and the construction of a new multi-use amphitheatre space, for seating and public events.
Councillor Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for the coastal economy, welcomed the decision saying: “I am delighted that councillors have supported the opportunity to take another step toward making this transformational project a reality for Skegness and East Lindsey.
“Alongside our other flagship Towns Fund projects, this further significant investment will help to restore and regenerate some of our key attractions, including the pier and Embassy Theatre, and strengthen the reputation of Skegness as fantastic place to live, work and visit with a rich heritage, cultural and leisure offering for people to enjoy.”
Chris Baron, Chair of Connected Coast commented: “The cultural development funding is absolutely fantastic news for Skegness. Both the theatre and the pier are important cultural assets on Skegness foreshore, and the improvements to these sites and the surrounding areas will be transformational.
“This funding coupled with the Towns Fund investment, will benefit both local people and visitors alike who can experience and enjoy these two spaces, and all that Skegness has to offer. The improvements will also help to attract jobs, boost the economy, enhance wellbeing, and support our pride in Skegness.”
