Lottery grant could lead to £1.8m boost for Gainsborough

West Lindsey District Council has won a National Lottery development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The money will be used to restore the historic heart of Gainsborough, specifically focusing on Lord Street and the Market Place.

The project will be supported by a steering group made up of local stakeholders who have received a development phase grant of £54,000. This will be match-funded by West Lindsey District Council, creating an overall fund of £71,300.

This news gives the green light for the partnership to develop a Stage Two funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is the precursor to a scheme which could have a total value of around £1.8m and will run up until 2024.

The steering group is made up of representatives from the Gainsborough Heritage Association, Lincolnshire County Council, Gainsborough Town Council, Gainsborough Place Board, the University of Lincoln, Gainsborough Queen Elizabeth’s High School and West Lindsey District Council.

Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee at West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Sheila Bibb said: “I am very excited about this project as Lord Street and Market Place have a wealth of under-appreciated historic buildings, which have sadly deteriorated in condition over the past decade.

“This grant funding could physically transform the town centre, potentially making it an extremely attractive place to live, work and invest.

“The passion and dedication of the steering group for the town’s heritage has been a vital ingredient in our initial success and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.”