Property owners in Gainsborough are celebrating the restoration of important buildings thanks to the ‘invaluable’ funding that made the work possible.
The restoration work has been supported by West Lindsey District Council’s Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme to preserve the architectural heritage of the town, including listed Georgian buildings, and to revitalise the community. The THI funding is backed by National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Levelling Up Fund.
One of the premises benefitting from funding is 37 Lord Street, familiar to most now as Café Latte. The Grade II listed building dates back to the early 19th century and is owned by Justin Leckie. Justin has been working with architect Eleanor McEvedy, who has previously worked on 27-29 Lord Street under the THI scheme.
Justin said: “The support received from West Lindsey District Council has allowed Café Latte, to return to its former glory and bring the building back to its best. The generous THI grant has allowed us to replace the outdated shop front with one which is much more in keeping with the listed Georgian property. In addition, work has taken place on the upper floor windows, the cast iron and lead water gutters as well as on repairing the brickwork on the gable end.
“Without the support of the Council I would not have been able to protect the heritage of the building or play a role in helping to stimulate the regeneration of the street as a whole.”
The schedule of works is expected to last eight weeks, with the final element – the fitting of a traditional canvas awning – due later this month.
The funding offers substantial grant aid towards the costs of renovating buildings, in a bid to bring empty properties back into use and maximising the potential for them to be used today.
3 Lord Street (now the Clock House) is also benefitting from the scheme. The building had been a school room in 1845, with the joiner Tom Lambert having a shop there at a similar time.
Owner Sunil Bejugam who also owns properties along 1-5 Lord Street said the THI funding had proved ‘invaluable’. “As a property investor in Gainsborough, my journey with 1, 3, 5 Lord Street has been a transformative one, made possible through the invaluable support of the Townscape Heritage Grant offered by West Lindsey District Council.
“The grant served as a beacon of hope, enabling me to envision and execute a comprehensive external renovation plan for the properties. The project included fundamental upgrades such as replacing outdated windows with elegant sash windows, refreshing the roof tiles, restoring two iconic chimneys, updating entrance doors, and enhancing business signage.”
