Spilsby's Sessions house project
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LEVELLING Up EAST LINDSEY
Spilsby Sessions House is a major component, alongside Alford Manor House and Alford Windmill, of East Lindsey District Council’s £8m Levelling Up Fund project for culture regeneration in our region. The restoration and repurposing of these iconic buildings will provide diverse, sustainable and accessible cultural facilities, which will enable an improved development and wider provision of programmes of community activities and events, putting the Lincolnshire Wolds on the map as an attractive visitor destination.
The transformation of Spilsby Sessions House will result in an outstanding multi-purpose arts and culture facility. The arrangement of its many interesting spaces and rooms, including the original court room and prison cells, will be brought back into use to suit modern purposes and requirements, whilst retaining the historic and architectural integrity of the building. A community venue accessible to all, it will also become a regional centre for arts development, providing much-needed support for local talent. The building will honour its historic significance and remain a heritage attraction for Spilsby and wider area.
Spilsby Sessions House is working in close partnership with East Lindsey District Council to develop the plans for delivering the project, based on work already done with Tim Ronalds Architects. It is expected that construction will take place during 2025 and the project be completed in March 2026
For more details click here to view the news report on East Lindsey District Council's website (opens new window).
What the restoration project will achieve
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Full roof repair/replacement
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Preservation of columned front portico
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Forecourt landscaping with outdoor public space
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Accessible ramped access to entrances
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Main space (auditorium) fit-out, creating a more flexible venue for live events, cinema and community hire
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Prison cells refurbishment, providing permanent heritage exhibition/activity space
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New toilet facilities in old exercise yard behind cells
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New cafe/bar/gallery foyer area on west side, with access to rear garden
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West side 1st floor offices/workspaces
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East side multi-use function room/backstage
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East side 1st floor offices/workspace
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East side additional toilets
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Rear outbuilding (the “barn”) workshop and 1st floor office/workspace
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All new utilities, heating etc. throughout
The estimated cost of the project is £5.2m. The Levelling Up Fund will provide £4.9m towards this; therefore, additional funding will be sought through grant applications and future fundraising.
RECENT URGENT REPAIRS
Recent urgent repairs to the building’s roof, funded by Historic England, have been completed and the building is now protected from further deterioration whilst awaiting the full restoration works.
building history & Surveys
Essential research for the restoration project has provided detailed information about the building including:
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History and chronology
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Study of heritage significance
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Architectural drawings
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Structural survey
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Conditions survey
This research undertaken by Tim Ronalds Architects and Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd, was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund. The outcome is included in the 2022 Architectural Report.
To take a virtual tour of the building click here for slide show.
