Work has started revamping the esplanade at Skegness – in time for visitors hopefully returning when lockdown restrictions improve.
Work is underway with £750,000 of government help to improve things such as pedestrian links to the seafront and parking.
The work is being done by the Connected Coast Board which saw Mablethorpe and Skegness combine their efforts to bid for funding under the government’s Towns Deal.
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The Skegness work, which also has funding from East Lindsey District Council, forms part of the Skegness Foreshore Masterplan to improve the town for residents and visitors – and at its heart will be supporting the local visitor economy.
The Towns Fund Foreshore project will improve cycling and footpaths and boost passing trade for businesses.
The area will also be made to feel safer while the changes will reflect the historic importance of the Foreshore – something already recognised through its designation as a historic park.
Sarah Louise Fairburn, who chairs the Connected Coast Board, said: “We’re so pleased to see this project starting thanks to an Accelerated Fund Grant of £750,000 for Skegness, which has enabled us to fast-track one of Towns’ Fund projects.
“Significant progress has been made with work to pedestrianise part of Tower Esplanade and improve the alternative car park entrance to Princes Parade.”
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It is hoped areas such as Hildreds Shopping Centre will see the benefits. Shops in the centre include Boots, Card Factory, EE, Game, JD Sport and Superdrug.
Centre manager Steve Andrews said: “This is fantastic news and we welcome the improvements to the Esplanade.
“Any investment in the town always results in more visitors as we have seen from the installation of lights along the seafront.
“Anything that brings more people to the resort is to be commended as we have so much to offer.
“At Hildreds, we are also looking forward to the further planned investment through the Towns Fund.
“Skegness has performed slightly ahead of the national average for footfall in terms of retail, which was better than expected.
“We therefore hope that as the global pandemic abates, we will be able to welcome even more people to Skegness in a safe and secure way.”
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Work should be completed before Good Friday in time for – lockdown permitting – visitors to be welcomed back to the resort for start of the summer season.
As part of a wider programme of planned development of the Skegness Foreshore the council recently submitted a planning application to develop a new holiday lodge scheme.
It is hoped it will extend and diversify the visitor season by generating new and repeat visitors to the seaside town.