Halfway milestone reached for Heritage at Risk funded works at Spilsby Sessions House

Conservation works to repair and restore the roof and brickwork at Spilsby Sessions House have reached a significant milestone.

The works to the Grade II listed theatre are part of a £1.006m Heritage at Risk grant awarded by Historic England following a successful funding bid from East Lindsey District Council last year.

This funding has been used to allow major conservation works to the roof and brickwork throughout the building as well as repairing and replacing windows.

Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund programme supports the conservation and regeneration of at-risk heritage assets across the country, and restoring local heritage to ensure it can be enjoyed for many generations to come.

The grant was awarded in addition to the £4.929 million of UK Government funding already secured to ensure the further transformation of this important cultural asset, though a partnership between East Lindsey District Council and Spilsby Sessions House Charity.

The Government funding will allow the building to reopen for cultural and art uses, as well as to have a wider daytime use as a community space.

Cllr Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction at East Lindsey District Council said: “Historic England’s additional funding has been instrumental in enabling significant conservation work to begin, safeguarding this important building from further deterioration during the winter months. Without this support, the risks to the structure would have continued to grow.

“This ambitious project represents far more than essential repairs. By restoring it with care and attention, we are preserving the historic character of this culturally significant asset for residents of Spilsby and the wider district.”

Lou Brenan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said: “Spilsby Sessions House is a building of exceptional historic significance, and it is encouraging to see conservation works progressing so well. By investing in urgent repairs through our Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, we are helping to secure its future and support its transformation into a place that can once again be enjoyed by the local community and visitors alike.”

Bruce Knight, Spilsby Sessions House Trustee, said: “We are very grateful to Historic England who supported Spilsby Sessions House in early stages of the project and who have continued their support with this Heritage at Risk funding, providing essential preservation work and significantly contributing towards bringing the community’s historic building back into use as cultural venue.”

To find out more about the works at Spilsby Sessions House, visit: https://connectedwolds.co.uk/spilsby-sessions-house/