Lottery to help deliver restoration of historic resort landmark

Cleethorpes’ Dolphin Hotel, which was built nearly 250-years-ago, is to receive an extensive make-over.

The building on the corner of Market Place and Alexandra Road has been a hotel, restaurant, oyster bar, café and in more recent years, various nightclubs.

Its current owners are starting a major project to refurbish the property.

Restoration of the building’s external features is being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is being delivered through the Cleethorpes Townscape Heritage Programme.

The programme has already seen several buildings in the resort having their facades, shop fronts and heritage balconies restored. The Mermaid building on the North Promenade is also part of this programme.

Work at the Dolphin includes roof repairs, demolition of unoriginal and harmful extensions to the rear of the building and restoration of original windows and doors, stone detailing, and leadwork, as well as a full external redecoration in Victorian period colours.

Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Philip Jackson, said: “This is one of the really prominent buildings in Cleethorpes that’s been here for hundreds of years.

“The work planned will really transform this building, and it will be great to see it done. I’d like to thank the building owners for coming forward and being part of this scheme.”

Freeholder, Darren Lince, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to crack on with this project. We’ve got some great plans for the building, and this is the first stage of them – making the building watertight and creating a fantastic exterior, which is much more fitting to the resort.”

The freeholder has appointed Hodson Architects to deliver the project. The work will be carried out by CAG Builders, who have completed heritage works in other areas of the resort as part of the National Lottery funded Townscape Heritage grant programme.

Carol Heidschuster, Townscape Heritage project manager, added: “The Townscape Heritage Programme has been a fantastic programme to work on.

“The key for me is seeing the buildings transformed through the works, and the owners develop a new respect for the architecture and the history of their building.

“The Dolphin, in particular, is one of the older buildings in the resort, and to see it returned to its Victorian roots will be fantastic.”