Funding boost for Caistor buildings plan

More than £150,000 has been awarded in grants to help bring some of Caistor’s ‘semi-derelict’ buildings back to life.
The ‘former Co-op’ at 2-4 Market PlaceThe ‘former Co-op’ at 2-4 Market Place
The ‘former Co-op’ at 2-4 Market Place

Caistor and District Community Trust has received £102,000 development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help progress plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant for the 2-4 Market Place project.

The project aims to bring five buildings back into use in the heart of the town’s historic Market Place - as a mixed use development.

The Architectural Heritage Fund have also awarded £50,000 in matched funding.

Along with an award from West Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire Co-operative, the full amount required to carry out the activities needed in the development phase of the project has now been secured.

Neil Castle, Chairman of Caistor and District Community Trust said: “We are thrilled to receive this support from National Lottery Players, the AHF, WLDC and Lincolnshire Co-operative.

“At the moment, 2-4 Market Place is semi-derelict.

“It is having a negative impact on the centre of Caistor and has been without a use for over 10 years.

“It brings the whole conservation area down and our community acutely feels the negative impact it is having on the town.

“Caistor needs a long-term sustainable solution for the site, which will bring life back into the market place.

“This funding will help us take the first important steps to achieve these goals for the benefit of Caistor and the wider district.”

The development phase will include securing the necessary permissions and a conservation plan, as well as research into the history of the building.

A number of activities are also envisaged to engage with the community, including the involvement of pupils from local schools.