The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded Linkage Community Trust a £3,515,000 Heritage Enterprise grant for its Weelsby estate project to provide an inclusive and sustainable future for the Hall.
This will preserve the Victorian mansion house for the public to enjoy, expand provision for care training, sensory facilities and develop much needed new accommodation for young people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity.
Weelsby Hall was built in 1890 as the country seat for the cockle-picker turned fishing magnate George Sleight. The grand house showcases exceptional craftsmanship and has links to Grimsby’s historic docks, the Kasbah.
Linkage leased Weelsby Hall from the Sleight family from 1982 and later purchased the estate. The historic buildings are no longer accessible or fit-for-purpose, needing significant repair and refurbishment. The project aims to restore the buildings and develop the 12-acre grounds with wildlife boxes, a sensory trail, and bee-friendly plants.
The public will be able to visit during and after the construction, learn more about the Sleight family in the grand entrance foyer and enjoy activities in the grounds.
Linkage CEO, Valerie Waby, described the impact of the award for the charity. “This funding will not only help us enhance and restore these vital historic buildings but will create new job opportunities in our area.
“This is a huge step forward in improving the Weelsby Estate, the local economy and creating opportunities to elevate the quality of life for eight young people through the opening of a new residential care home. Linkage is indebted to National Lottery players and to the Heritage Fund for making this grant possible.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It is fantastic news that we’re supporting Weelsby Hall in Grimsby to ensure a long and sustainable future. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players and the dedication of Linkage, the project will restore and renovate Weelsby Hall estate, improving accessibility and creating opportunities for the local community.”
Once the works are complete, the Hall will be used as a care training hub with sensory facilities and offices. It will be fully accessible with ramps and a lift, and solar panels will be installed on the roof. The former stables will be converted into a residential care home for eight young people who live with learning disabilities and neurodiversity, and create 37 new jobs.
The Friends of Weelsby Hall volunteer group will have their own space in the former estate office. Volunteer Dave Smith has been researching the history of the hall and provides guided tours to the public on Heritage Open days.
He said: “Weelsby Hall has long been hidden from public view. The funding will enable the preservation of this important and rare remnant of our local heritage, making it more accessible.”
Linkage have enjoyed the support of North East Lincolnshire Council for the Weelsby development. Cllr Hayden Dawkins, who is Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said: “Over the last few years, we’ve really been working with organisations to protect and restore our heritage across the borough, providing opportunities to enrich the lives of our local communities.
“News of this significant grant is great, both for Linkage, the people they support and the wider community. Linkage provide essential services for some of our residents, and to be able to enhance this within a fantastic heritage setting is really excellent work.”
Image credit: Linkage Community Trust
