£3.5m lottery grant will support historic hall’s redevelopment

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £3.52m to support redevelopment of a grade II-listed hall in Grimsby to provide new training facilities and accommodation.

Linkage Community Trust will use the Heritage Enterprise grant for its Weelsby estate project to provide an inclusive and sustainable future for the hall.

This will preserve the Victorian mansion house for the public to enjoy, expand provision for care training, sensory facilities and develop new accommodation for young people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

Weelsby Hall was built in 1890 as the country seat for the cockle-picker turned fishing magnate George Sleight.

Linkage leased Weelsby Hall from the Sleight family from 1982 and later purchased the estate.

However, the historic buildings are no longer accessible or fit-for-purpose, needing significant repair and refurbishment.

The project aims to restore the buildings and develop the 12-acre grounds with wildlife boxes, a sensory trail, and bee-friendly plants.

Linkage CEO, Valerie Waby, said: “This funding will not only help us enhance and restore these vital historic buildings but will create new job opportunities in our area.

“This is a huge step forward in improving the Weelsby Estate, the local economy and creating opportunities to elevate the quality of life for eight young people through the opening of a new residential care home.

“Linkage is indebted to National Lottery players and to the Heritage Fund for making this grant possible.”

Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It is fantastic news that we’re supporting Weelsby Hall in Grimsby to ensure a long and sustainable future.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players and the dedication of Linkage, the project will restore and renovate Weelsby Hall estate, improving accessibility and creating opportunities for the local community.”

Once works are complete, the hall will be used as a care training hub with sensory facilities and offices.

It will be fully accessible with ramps and a lift, and solar panels will be installed on the roof.

Former stables will be converted into a residential care home for eight young people who live with learning disabilities and neurodiversity. This will also create 37 new jobs.

The Friends of Weelsby Hall volunteer group will have their own space in the former estate office.

Linkage’s Weelsby development has been supported by North East Lincolnshire Council.

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, who is portfolio holder for culture, heritage and the visitor economy, said: “Over the last few years, we’ve really been working with organisations to protect and restore our heritage across the borough, providing opportunities to enrich the lives of our local communities.

“News of this significant grant is great, both for Linkage, the people they support and the wider community.

“Linkage provides essential services for some of our residents, and to be able to enhance this within a fantastic heritage setting is really excellent work.”