Work to transform the former WC block at Whitton Gardens has begun.
The project, part of the £18m town centre regeneration programme by West Lindsey District Council, will see the building, which sits on the riverside in Gainsborough, converted into a cafe.
A team from Belton Construction, the company delivering the project for the council, will complete the work by May this year. The Whitton Gardens car park will be closed while the work takes place.
Council Leader and Gainsborough ward member, Cllr Trevor Young, said he was pleased work was starting and was looking forward to seeing the results: “It’s great to see work starting on this project and I’m sure the café will be a welcomed addition to the area.”
The work being carried out to refurbish the former WC building is part of a wider investment in Gainsborough that includes the new four-screen cinema, Market Place public realm improvements, new green space at Baltic Mill, Townscape Heritage investment into historic buildings, and upgrades to the bus station.
West Lindsey District Council is also working with Project Centre to improve access to high-quality green spaces in Gainsborough. The council’s ground maintenance contractor has been carrying out planting work at Whitton Gardens and will complete finishing touches in line with the completion of the café in May.
Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said: “We’ve a number of exciting developments ongoing across the district, and the Whitton Gardens’ development is one of the projects helping us kick off 2025 as we mean to go on.
“The new cinema will be opened in the summer, we’ve work continuing in Gainsborough town centre to help increase visitors and boost local business, and later this month we will be launching the marketing for the restaurant and retail units being delivered as part of the cinema and leisure scheme – it’s going to be an exciting year.”
Image credit: West Lindsey District Council