By RAFA building granted £2.9m renovation
The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) club in Cleethorpes is set to receive a five-figure external make-over.
The development will see the frontage of the building, which was constructed circa 1885, restored to its original Victorian condition.
Works will take around 14 weeks to complete, and have been made possible thanks to a grant award from the Townscape Heritage Project.
The development is scheduled to begin soon.
North East Lincolnshire Council have put out a call for more local building owners to come forward if their premises’ lie within the action zone of Sea View Street and Alexandra Road.
Grants of up to 80% are available for the sympathetic restoration of the old Victorian exteriors.
As part of the works, the 140-year-old rotten timber-work will be replaced, the 1970s porch will be removed, and a traditional victorian door will be installed.
The building’s blue exterior paint will be changed for a more sympathetic stone colour, again, in keeping with the Victorian era.
Gavin Marshall has been the Chairman of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District branch of RAFA for six years.
He said:
“We have a wonderful building here, which is in just the right place and is matched by a really active veteran’s community.
“This club is a focal point for them and when this work is done, the block of buildings we have in this great position in Cleethorpes is really going to set the standard.
“The visibility of our club during the Armed Forces events has aided our growth massively, but we are also a really active organisation that has changed what we do and how we do it.”
The Cleethorpes branch of the Royal Air Force Association has almost 1000 members, all of whom are in some way affiliated with the military, making it the largest branch in the world.
Until 1966, the club was housed in central Grimsby.
Separately the RAFA is also investing in the interior of the building, with new carpets and flooring in its downstairs bar and a renovation of the derelict top floor to make office space.
Councillor Callum Procter said:
“This club sits in a prominent position in Cleethorpes and when the work is complete it will be fine example of how we want to support those businesses that take a real pride in restoring our resort’s heritage for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
“I am really looking forward to seeing the RAFA club work completed and would really encourage more premises’ owners to come forward.”
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