Why East Lindsey's Coast and Countryside Offers a Wealth of Opportunity for Investors

This coupled with a trend for outdoors activities, such as walking, cycling, paddle boarding, even ‘doggycations’ is good news for a destination such as Lincolnshire. East Lindsey, home to the Lincolnshire Wolds and miles of coastline (both seaside resorts and natural coast) is poised to maximise this window of opportunity and secure its position as a leading tourist destination.

Unparalleled opportunities created by Skegness and Mablethorpe’s success in securing multi-million funding from the Government’s town fund deals have opened up a wealth new development for the region’s visitor economy.

In 2020 Skegness and Mablethorpe joined forces to bid for funding to facilitate future economic growth, focusing on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture.

Town deals were established to counter the multiple socio-economic challenges experienced by many provincial regions. It is envisaged the funding will not only improve the overall sense of place, enhancing the lives of residents, businesses and visitors, but also unlock vast opportunities for investors and developers. Following a successful bid, work is now underway on two major coastal regeneration projects on the East Lindsey Coast.

The Skegness Towns Fund Foreshore project will improve connectivity with the town centre and open up new areas for cycling and walking, encouraging people to move around the Foreshore, boosting passing trade for businesses. Improvements to the public realm will improve the sense of safety in the area and reflect the historic importance of the Foreshore as recognised through its designation as a historic park. Thanks to an accelerated fund grant of £750,000 for Skegness, East Lindsey have been able to fast-track this project, and significant progress has been made with work to pedestrianise part of Tower Esplanade and improve the alternative car park entrance to Princes Parade.

The works at Skegness, backed by the accelerated fund grant and additional funding from East Lindsey District Council, form part of the Skegness Foreshore Master plan to enhance and develop the range of leisure facilities available for both residents and visitors. This master plan was adopted in December 2018 following 10 months of local stakeholder consultation; at its heart is an expansion and diversification of a thriving visitor economy. With the boom in domestic tourism this is an optimum time to investors and developers to take advantage of the huge potential Skegness and its surrounding area presents.

In addition as part the Towns Fund, one of the most talked about projects has to be the transformation being made to the Colonnade at Sutton-On-Sea. A crumbling, concrete structure first built in the 1950s, the iconic building has sadly come to the end of its operational life.

Work to remove the existing failing is nearing completion. The demolition has been made possible due to an accelerated fund grant of £500,000 from the Government through the Towns Fund. However, the costs for a rebuild have been factored into the bid currently being considered. It is envisaged that new visitor and community facilities will now be provided to increase engagement and enjoyment of a wide range of leisure and cultural pursuits throughout the year for all ages.

The new build scheme includes new café and restaurant space with external seating, a new visitor centre, beach huts and enhanced facilities for community leisure, events, year-round recreation and sheltered seating. The plans also include the preservation and enhancing of existing and much-loved features within the Colonnade area such as the water feature, children’s play area and rose garden.

To ensure the Colonnade reaches its full potential, the Connected Coast Board is also working with other funding partners to enhance local cycling links and facilities and new arts and cultural activity for all ages.

The coast is already seeing a number of private sector companies invest in the area, recognising the huge potential and shrewd investor propositions the area offers. One such company who has invested in one of Lincolnshire’s most iconic landmarks is The Mellor Group. The Nottingham based company has invested £2M into their seaside venues, which includes Skegness Pier and Fantasy Island theme park. They have taken advantage of the past 12 months to improve both venues, with new attractions and rides coming from an investment of £1m each to both Fantasy Island and Skegness Pier.

Another company who are backing the area is the leisure and visitor attraction company Teen Spirit, who has invested heavily in improving facilities at the much loved Skegness Aquarium. They are committed to growth and expansion in the leisure sector and are currently looking for other sites to expand on. They work on a number of joint ventures with Merlin Entertainments,

This commitment from major investors is testament to the growth and potential of the area. However it’s not just the seaside that is benefiting from growth and investment. East Lindsey is home to some of the best walking and cycling routes in the Midlands, and the new love of all things ‘outdoorsy’ is very much a trend the area wants to exploit. Already a favourite of many seasoned walkers and cyclists, The Wolds is looking to attract the new abundance of countryside enthusiasts that have arisen during lockdown. Promoting walking and cycling is an excellent way of extending the tourism season, and ELDC is submitting bids via the ‘Levelling Up’ fund to support projects to strengthen the offer. Working with the Destination Management Organisation Visit Lincoln to firmly place the area on the map.

The Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets. East Lindsey is also working with the ‘Vital and Viable’ Programme delivered by the Institute of Place Management. This bespoke programme helps towns and city centre prepare for the future. Helping create and sustain viable high streets, and revitalising them and instilling longevity and purpose back into town centres.

East Lindsey District Council along with the Connected Coast, and its private sector partners are ideally positioned to help its visitor economy not only recover but flourish.

If you would like to be involved in this optimum period of growth and transformation please contact: Lisa.Collins2@e-lindsey.gov.uk