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Boatshed to refloat Mablethorpe’s deserted former library
Mablethorpe's old library in Victoria Road looks set to get a new lease of life after being taken over by the Boatshed. Coun Tony Howard, Chairman of the Boatshed Committee, said he hoped the takeover would create 'a real buzz' around the town.
MABLETHORPE’s old library is set to become a multi-use ‘Coastal Centre’ run by the Boatshed, and could open later this year, the Leader understands.
The Boatshed have verbally agreed the takeover and refurbishment work is well underway.
The building, in Victoria Road, has been put up for tender by Lincolnshire County Council for community use after lying deserted since 2007.
Chairman of the Boatshed Committee, Coun Tony Howard, said: “Though nothing has been signed yet, we’re told our business plan looks good and we’re likely to take over the building when work finishes, hopefully later this year.”
The building had been earmarked to become the Tide Art Gallery but the plan by East Lindsey Art Forum broke down last year when renovation work ran aground and was thus put back out to tender.
Four potential tenants put forward bids for the site, but it is not known who the other bidders were.
The Boatshed is a community centre offering support, IT equipment and a hub for local groups, and the hopes are that the centre’s outreach can expand and run in parallel with the Coastal Centre.
Coun Howard continued: “We hope to make the building into a bigger scale Boatshed, so we can commit to more things.
“Then we’ll look back and try to re-invent the Boatshed so it doesn’t just become the new building’s ‘litte brother’.
“At our last committee meeting there was no shortage of ideas of what’s needed for the future.”
“The building has looked dull for so long, and only adds to the poor image people have of the High Street and Victoria Road.
“This should give the whole place a buzz!”
The 25-year lease offered by the council is secured by a ‘peppercorn rent’ for use for projects of ‘enterprise, parnership or collaboration’.
Is this the right move for the old library? Email your views to sam.kinnaird@jpress.co.uk.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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