The impressive project at 24 Hall Place, a grade two listed building, included the full repair and restoration of the historic exterior.
This was made possible under the Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas (PSICA), a link-up between the council and English Heritage, to help rejuvenate not only Spalding town centre, but conservation areas in Crowland, Long Sutton and Holbeach. Over the years a number of traditional buildings have fallen into disrepair with a number losing their shop fronts.
The building in Hall Place will soon open as a hair styling salon, The Crown Affair, while will also offer beauty treatments and a wig styling service, having more recently spent its life as a charity shop for the British Red Cross.
It is two storeys high and is built of ashlar – stone cut onto blocks – with a blue slate roof and ridge tiles. The severely weathered stonework has been replaced with the same materials from a quarry near Stamford and the building repointed. The roof has been repaired, lead replaced and the original window design restored to its former glory.
This window had been lowered in the past but with the help of an old photograph the scheme was able to recreate the stonework close to its original specifications.
Councillor Roger Gambba-Jones, SHDC Portfolio Holder for Conservation, said: “The work really has restored it to the original elegance of a building that was truly of its time.
“We are confident that this will give a whole new lease of life to a very fine, landmark building and that the work will contribute to its serviceable life for the next 100 years.”
The Crown Affair has a 14-strong team of staff and is part of a national network of independent salons which will be providing a wig styling service for medical and illness-related hair loss.
'My New Hair' is a pioneering new charity inspired by Trevor Sorbie MBE, and 'Crown Affair' will provide private consultations for people considering a wig.
Owner Frank Martino said: “We aim to be one of the town’s most progressive salons by providing the latest services and techniques within the industry, and all of the staff at Crown Affair are extremely excited to be a part of this new venture in this beautifully-restored building in Spalding.”
Under the scheme, traditional repairs and work to reinstate the authentic look of commercial properties can be part paid for. The repair and reinstatement of traditional shop fronts, roofs, lead work, guttering, windows, doors and other architectural features such as shutters and balconies are eligible for funding. The cost of professional fees could also be part-covered.
A survey of the external condition of all historic buildings, which are used commercially, has already been undertaken. To find out whether your building might be eligible for grant aid please contact SHDC's Julie-Anne Middleditch on 01775 764551.
Grants will be available on a first-come-first-served basis and on meeting the relevant criteria, if funding is available, up until March next year.
Since 2007, more than £600,000 has been spent on improving commercial properties under the scheme which is run by South Holland in partnership with English Heritage.
Of that figure, 25 buildings have been worked on with the average grant working out at more than £24,000.
Image: the building in Hall Place prior to the restoration.
