Funding of £250,000 has been awarded to a Boston arts venue to help it convert a nearby historic building into a community hub.

Boston Borough Council has awarded the sum to Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre, in Spain Lane, through the Government-backed Pride in Place Impact Fund.

The money is being used to secure the future of the former Cheers building, which is based in South Street, at the end of Spain Lane.

The premises – which has an extraordinarily rich history, much like Blackfriars itself – has been closed for a number of years.

Coun Dale Broughton outside the new-look Cheers building, in South Street.

placeholder image — Coun Dale Broughton outside the new-look Cheers building, in South Street.

The Standard reported on restoration work taking place at the address under a new owner in 2024, during which of host of amazing historical discoveries were made, including a tunnel.

This funding will allow Blackfriars to take on the building and continue the project to bring the building back into community use.

Passers-by will have already noticed extensive work to the exterior of the building, funded by the grant money.

Blackfriars wanted this work done before the Lloyds Tour of Britain men’s cycle race came to Boston tomorrow (Thursday, September 3), as the building sits at the start line.

The former Cheers building before the renovations.

Once the project is complete, the building will become a community hub supporting a wide range of groups along with a pop-up museum.

Coun Dale Broughton, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Boston Borough Council has been able to support the safeguarding of this building which holds so many memories.

“Not only is it an important historical landmark, but it also sits at the start line for Stage Two of the Lloyds Tour of Britain cycling race where local, national and international eyes will be on our borough – so we want it looking its absolute best.

“As you can see, works have begun on the building and it’s already looking so much better – I commend everyone who has been involved in the process to now.

Giving Blackfriars high street presence, the former Cheers building.

“Moving forward, I’m really looking forward to seeing the improvements inside which will give a much-needed base to a number of community initiatives, including the Boston 400 Group, Boston School of Mosaics and the Crafty Coffee Club.

“This is a great example of exactly what we were hoping to achieve through the Pride in Place funding, providing grants for impactful projects which can deliver rapid and meaningful change.

“I look forward to seeing what comes next in the coming weeks and months.”

In July, after it was announced £75,000 had been awarded to Blackfriars through the Pride in Place scheme for work at the former Cheers building, the Standard spoke with vice chairman Jocelyn Lawman about the project.

She said Blackfriars had been interested in the premises for some time, as it would give the theatre and arts centre something it lacked – a shopfront.

“Our theatre has no high street presence,” she said.

One idea is to provide an interactive experience dedicated to the town’s history, meaning the address would not only help promote Blackfriars but Boston’s heritage, too.

“We haven’t got a place where our stories are knitted together,” she said.

“Our town has more history and more significant history than just about any other town of its size in the country,” she said.

“There is enormous momentum around this project, she added, saying: “This is a real win for Boston.”

You can find out more about grant funding by visiting www.boston.gov.uk/LGFD