Restoration of 33 Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes

Number 33 Alexandra Road has had a colourful past, including being a purveyor of oysters in the early 20^th century, Newman’s jewellers in the late 1960s and more recently, a string of different occupiers with the newest business, a Thai Massage and Spa business, opening just last week.

The building is the central property of a block of six properties, 30-35 Alexandra Road, between Albert Street and Dolphin Street.

Throughout the time, the façade of the building has changed significantly, with a complete reconfiguration of the shop front in the mid 20^th century.

Now, thanks to National Lottery Heritage Funding and significant private investment, the shop front and the property above have been reinstated to bring back lost historical details, including:

• Complete restoration of the historic shop front, repainted in heritage colours and new doors and fanlights to the entranceways.
• For the properties above, new timber sash windows and repairs to the brick head and keystones have been installed, false bay window front and a new heritage approved bay window top section have been completed and new heritage approved French doors will lead out onto the balcony.
• Cast iron guttering and downpipes have replaced more modern PVC fixtures.

A new ruby red theme has taken centre stage at the property, following agreements with the current freeholder and leaseholder. The colour was identified thanks to paint analysis carried out last year by the University of Lincoln.

Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “The heritage and architectural details have been gathered for this project from early photographs and postcards as well as specific studies into the history of the road. I’d like to thank everyone for getting behind this project and producing such a stunning transformation.”

The work to the shop front and façade has been carried out over the last six months by contractors, Keith Howson, and Hodsons architects. The work has been funded by a match between private investment from the freeholder and leaseholder, and additional grant support from the Discover Cleethorpes Heritage programme.

“Discover Cleethorpes Heritage” is a four-year Townscape Heritage (TH) programme launched in 2018. The scheme is supported by £1.9m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and £1m from North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), and circa 900k of 3rd party match funding from the property freeholders/leaseholders.

ENDS