November 16, 2018 10.08 am This story is over 64 months old

Tours and theatre makeover of historic Boston hall approved

It’s a huge project and could run to 2025
Shodfriars Hall. Photo: Richard Croft

Plans to turn a historic building in Boston into a “multi-purpose centre” potentially including theatre shows and heritage tours has been given a boost by council officers.

Boston Borough Council officers have approved a change of use for the 14th century Shodfriars Hall, in South Street.

A group of trustees plans to build a project information centre and coffee shop on the ground floor.

Approving the plans, officers wrote: “The development involves the use of a vacant shop and would represent a more efficient use of town centre floor space.”

The trustees invested in the building last year after the price decreased significantly, and want to bring it back into use for the local community.

Some parts of the building date back to the 1300s, and at the rear of the building is a Victorian theatre from the 19th Century.

During the summer the existing shop was used to sell ice cream.

A viability study is set to take place alongside the running of the information centre and coffee shop.

Trustee Rob Barclay said: “We’re really pleased the change of use has been granted as it helps to provide he viability study which will be commencing shortly.

“It will allow us to have a community space where people will be able to take a tour of the building and maybe buy a coffee or an ice cream to support the project.

“We very much appreciate the council’s continued support with this project.”

Earlier this year he said: “The hope is to create a multi-purpose centre and would mean a lot of renovation work.

“The hope would be very much to complement Blackfriars Theatre rather than compete with it.”

Although the ‘huge project’, which could run until 2025, began with Blackfriars members, a separate charity is planned to be set up to oversee the project.

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