£7m regeneration project transforms historic buildings in Market Rasen

Now known as The Grange Collective, it has created a new hub for supported living, learning and community activity.

The project, led and delivered by housing charity Acis Group, has seen the redevelopment of the former Market Rasen House and barn plus a former bank on Market Street.

Grange House is a Grade II-listed building, built at the end of the 19th Century by George Henry Barton and was the home and surgery of the only doctor in the town. It has been converted over the space of three years into 10 supported living apartments. The accommodation provides access to 24-hour care and support for working age adults with disabilities, supporting them with personalised support to live more independently within their community. The service will be provided by Radis Group.

Kizzy Helgesen, Acis Evolution and Impact Manager, said it has always been a place for the community: “The doctor's gardener would show people how things are grown and he had the first car in the town. It later becamwe a children’s home where the staff were like a family to them. It later became a home for troubled teenagers and some of our team worked there then and remember the building fondly.”

It closed down around the time of the Covid pandemic and decayed quickly until Acis stepped in. “It has been a place of healing and we wanted to continue that journey,” said Kizzy.

Grange Barn is a former stable block in the grounds of the house that has been repurposed as a community space, focused on sustainability and environmental learning. The facility offers local people opportunities to develop skills in areas such as gardening, construction, cooking, practical household repairs and green living, as well as providing a venue for events and activities. The large open space behind will be developed with polytunnels and raised planters and the aim is to grow food for the Grange Hub and Cafe where some of the young residents will work and gain skills. Part of the garden will become a nature area.

The Grange Hub & Cafe is the 200-year-old former bank at 5-6 Market Street, which has been transformed into a vibrant community cafe and education centre, delivering courses and qualifications through training providers including Clip and Riverside Training. The aim is to support people into employment and improve access to skills in the local area.

Supervisor Lisa Gough said: “We will have really healthy and affordable food for the public and it is very accessible.”

Claire Woodward, Director of Community Investment at Acis Group, said: “We are so proud to have been able to breathe new life into these historic buildings – right in the heart of Market Rasen.

“The vision for the Grange Collective is clear – to help tackle the challenges faced by rural communities, such as isolation and a lack of opportunities, by breathing new life and services into the town’s historic centre. By transforming rundown historic buildings into essential community assets, The Grange Collective will drive opportunities for local people to learn, live and grow.

“What makes this unique is the scope of the regeneration work which has enabled us and our partners to provide a wide range of services and facilities to help the local community thrive.

“Although we are a social housing charity at our core, The Grange Collective project really showcases how Acis Group is innovating and doing things differently by investing in communities and heritage at the same time.”

The project has had investment and involvement from a range of partners who all saw the potential of the Grange Collective to strengthen the town’s economy and provide new opportunities for residents.

Coun Stephen Bunney, West Lindsey District Councillor and county council ward member for Market Rasen, said: “The Grange is a real positive to the town and breathes new life back into the historical building. Not only does it bring opportunities for those living in assisted living across our community, but it’s also going to provide a vibrant community hub which will have wellbeing at the forefront.

“We’re particularly excited about the new learning opportunities on offer, which complement the excellent facilities and services already available in the town. The addition of the community café is another welcome step forward, creating a space where people of all ages can come together, helping to support wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

“I’d like to personally thank Greg (Bacon – chief executive) and his team at Acis, and Lincolnshire County Council for their commitment to this project. The Grange is a great example of successful regeneration in action and an important investment in Market Rasen’s future, building on the strengths and pulling Market Rasen in the right place.”

Coun Steve Clegg, executive member for adult care and health at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We know that many young adults with disabilities want their independence like others their age.

“Grange House will offer them a home of their own, with the support they need to live meaningful and independent lives.

“This will let them stay connected to their local community, where they can be supported by their social network.

“This Grade II listed building has provided a home for young people and adults in need for over 60 years, and this incredibly beneficial project will continue that proud tradition.”

The Grange Collective reflects a broader focus on heritage-led regeneration, with the original character of the buildings preserved while adapting them for contemporary use. Alongside this, the project aims to support rural economic development, particularly by improving access to training and employability services in Market Rasen and the surrounding area.

Acis Group says the development is intended to act as a long-term community asset, with a mix of housing, education and shared spaces designed to encourage social interaction and inclusion.

The launch event was followed by a community open afternoon for people to look around the facilities.