Mermaid rides the crest of a wave in Cleethorpes

It’s open again!!

The Mermaid Café building in Cleethorpes has had a varied history since its opening in 1874.

And the latest chapter of this has been a magnificent restoration of the external of the building and a full refit of the interior too with the café opening its doors to customers again today.

The Mermaid Café building on Cleethorpes’ North Prom seafront was constructed as a waiting room for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. 

Over the years, the building has been used for various food and beverage businesses, most recently as a Fish and Chip café and takeaway.

As part of the Discover Cleethorpes Heritage Townscape Heritage Programme, the Mermaid building has been restored to its Victorian splendour, partly funded thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund with further funding secured from The Railway Heritage Trust and the 3^rd party match from the leaseholders completing the funding profile.

The programme has already seen several balconies and shop fronts restored along Alexandra Road and in Sea View Street in the resort.

During the project, conservation work was carried out to the Victorian cast iron framework of the building, as well as full restoration and conservation of the timber elements of the building. The building was also re-roofed, and cast iron gutters and downpipes replaced.

The original livery colours of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway company are the inspiration for the new paintwork.

Alongside the restoration, the building leaseholders have completed an internal building refit, including new kitchen equipment and furniture.

Leaseholders, Charles Crawford and Craig Brown said: “This is something that we’ve been wanting to do for a long time, having gained planning and Listed Building consent back in 2021. Due to the complexities of the restoration, we knew that financial support would be required, and we’re really pleased to see the results of the hard work and get back open to the public!”

Tim Hedley–Jones of The Railway Heritage Trust said: “We’re really happy to be working collaboratively with both the leaseholders and the council, and provide this additional funding to help restore this former railway building.”

Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is one of the key buildings that people see as they arrive in Cleethorpes on the train, and to have it restored to its former glory is fantastic!”

The work has been carried out by CAG, who have completed heritage works in other areas of the resort as part of the National Lottery funded Townscape Heritage grant programme.