As we look ahead to a busy year for the 2-4 Market Place project, the team on-site wanted to spend some time bringing you up to date, by reviewing the project’s milestones to-date. Starting from this time last year, discover exactly what has been happening and when.
We’ll be posting a regular insight from the site every month moving forwards, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our next update!
Jan 2024 – March 2024
The first quarter of 2024 saw the Caistor and District Community Trust ploughing through paperwork, placing applications for funding and preparing for on-site activity to begin.
March 2024
At the end of March, some good news… a UK Government Funded Community Ownership Fund Grant of £500,000 was awarded to the project, in addition to the £1.9 Million in funding that had already been awarded from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, £171,000 that was raised by Community Share buy in, £200,000 from the Architectural Heritage Find and £50,000 form West Lindsey District Council Towns Fund.
April 2024
Messenger Construction was confirmed as the main contractor on the project. Specialists in conversation work, Messenger is dedicated to preserving and restoring the rich heritage of architectural landmarks. The team is composed of highly skilled professionals that bring a wealth of knowledge to every project, ensuring that each structure or object receives the most appropriate treatment. Safe to say we’re thrilled to have them on board.
May 2024
Another month at the desk, pushing paperwork through in order to continue preparations with funders and contractors.
June 2024
A month many people in the town of Caistor will remember. In June the Contractor Compound was set up in Caistor Market Place. A disruption to the town, of course, but one that has been taken in the town’s stride – a big thank you to local authority, residents and visitors alike for making this possible.
July 2024
A super exciting month – we finally got inside. Work began! Officially! Initial stripping out works began, a process which saw the demolition of the flat roof over the internal court-yard, which is now open again after 65 years of being kept in the dark.
August 2024
The dirty work continue on site with the basements cleared and early progress on the plaster work and windows in Number 2.
September 2024
The Community Space, upstairs, was cleared of rubbish and the stripping back of this generous space commenced.
October 2024
Things got a bit serious on October with ongoing structural works. Work needed to be done to support basement voids, weak areas, and remove rotten timbers.
November 2024
Every day this month took us closer to the building being watertight. Replacement clay pantiles were fitted to Number 4 alongside further roof repairs to Number 2 and Number 4 Market Place.
November/December 2024
A bit of a blow this month, but an expected one given the nature of heritage projects, and the team faced higher structural repair costs than estimated due to structural condition being worse than suspected and the discovery of previously unmapped voids. As these came to light the team referred with the funders, and an agreement was made to prioritise the completion of retail units in Number 2 and Number 4 Market Place and the Community Space above Number 4.
December 2024
With costs continuing to rise, across the board, a review with the team and the funders saw the team collaborating to secure additional funding. This work will be ongoing with fundraising goals to be announced in early 2025.
December 2024
Our new website – yes, this one! – launched as well as new social media channels that we’re looking forward to making the most of in 2025.
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Looking for a retail space to rent?
We’ve got 2 retail spaces we’re developing within the 2-4 floorplan. If you’d like to see your name on one of them register your interest here.