Boston Borough Council has granted £250,000 to support Blackfriars Arts Centre in safeguarding the Grade II listed building which sits at the start line for Stage Two of the Lloyds Tour of Britain cycling race.
The funding, which has been granted through the council’s Pride in Place schemes, has been used to secure the future of 20 South Street in Boston, known by many as the Cheers building which has a rich local history.
The building has been vacant for several years but Blackfriars Arts Centre, which owns Blackfriars Theatre, will be purchasing it thanks to a grant from Boston Borough Council.
Passers-by will have already noticed extensive improvements to the external appearance of the building, funded by the grant, transforming it into an impressive and welcoming feature of the Tour of Britain start line ahead of tomorrow’s event.
However, thanks to a total grant of £250,000 from the council’s Pride in Place funding, the building’s revitalisation journey is only just beginning, with internal works due to commence soon.
Once completed, the building, which sits in the heart of Boston’s cultural quarter, will also become a community hub supporting a wide range of groups along with a pop-up museum.
Councillor 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.
“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.”
