Work set to start on repairs to landmark building

Work to renovate a landmark building in Boston is set to start after the owners were ordered by a court to carry out repairs.

Planning permission was granted in 2022 to turn the former Post Office building in Wide Bargate into apartments, with a commercial space on the ground floor.

However, Boston Borough Council said it took legal action against the owners after "regular complaints about the building's poor condition" and a failure to carry out necessary repairs.

Work is due to begin in February and the owners have been given until September to complete the repairs after a legal notice issued by the council was upheld by Boston Magistrates' Court.

In its initial application developer Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd said the plan would "bring a listed building back into active use, thereby helping to preserve the building and the character and appearance of the Boston Conservation Area".

Built in 1907, the building has stood empty since 2014 when the post office relocated.

Councillor John Baxter, portfolio holder for building control at the authority, said: "The former Post Office is a prominent, historic building which is important for the town.

"The council recognises how important buildings such as the former Post Office are to people, and to the town's heritage.

"It is therefore important that this building is renovated, and within an acceptable time frame," he said.

"The owners now have to start work on the necessary renovations to repair this significant building and bring it back to an acceptable condition."

Council leader Anne Dorrian added: "The longer time goes on, the more the building will fall into further disrepair.

"It is vitally important that work starts as soon as possible to ensure this listed building is preserved as part of the heritage of this historic town."

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