'Town Centre Transformations: Skegness' - Town Deal project to transform heritage sites in Skegness

It's an exciting year for the Town Centre Transformation Town Deal project in Skegness funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Communities, the Connected Coast Town Deal Board and Local Government and being delivered by Heritage Lincolnshire - Lincolnshire's foremost heritage-led regeneration charity.

This exciting project, 'Town Centre Transformations: Skegness', is the first grant scheme to enhance the heritage of Skegness and will result in a substantial pot of grant funding being made available to local businesses and property owners in Skegness Town Centre, specifically Lumley Road, the High Street and Tower Gardens.

This year we should see the first projects delivered on site. For a number of months Heritage Lincolnshire have been working with local businesses and architects to gain planning permission for seven reinstated shopfronts. The first four have received planning permission and now have approval from the Grants Panel to proceed with the project which should be onsite very soon. 

At Tower Gardens, we are looking to reinstate the historic pleasure garden to its former glory through a scheme of hard landscaping and planting, as well as making accessibility improvements to the site so that it may be enjoyed by a greater range and diversity of people within the local community. Currently, surveys are being undertaken in anticipation of commissioning works to the site.

Finally, funding from the Town Centre Transformation Project is available to match money from Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council to improve the highway between Skegness Station and the Foreshore down Lumley Road. This will involve the replacement of all bins, planting street trees and providing improvements to the public realm.

These changes will start the transformation of Lumley Road with a splash in 2023.

Matt Bentley, Senior Conservation Manager at Heritage Lincolnshire, said "Heritage Lincolnshire are very excited to enter the next phase of this project, which will be transformational for Skegness. Lots of work has been happening behind the scenes and we are looking forward to see these discussions and consents become a reality with the delivery of numerous projects on the ground, supporting local businesses and tradespeople in the process. The investment will improve the character and appearance of Skegness and will hopefully lead to further interest in the project." 

Chris Baron, Chair of the Connected Coast Board, said: "These works are set to significantly enhance Skegness, restoring building shopfronts, rejuvenating Tower Gardens, creating better public realm and street scenes, and ultimately, revitalising the town. 
"Through the Town Deal funding, we have a unique opportunity to invest in the town centre and bring long-lasting improvements that will benefit local residents and visitors to Skegness.
"It is fantastic to see that the delivery of the improvements is gathering pace, and I look forward to seeing the works progress throughout the year."

Cllr Steve Kirk, Portfolio Holder for the Coastal Economy said: "This is a great opportunity for local businesses and property owners to access grant funding to help make improvements they want to make and help make the town centre even more attractive and inviting for visitors and residents.

"The public realm works will enhance Tower Gardens for all users and I know residents will be delighted that new bins are to be provided on Lumley Road as part of the works by Heritage Lincolnshire.
"Having an attractive and welcoming town centre is vital for a thriving town and for the businesses which make this town what it is. I am pleased the Town Funding secured for Skegness is helping to deliver improvements for our residents and businesses."