Restoring 140 - 142 Eastgate

The best way to maintain any listed building is to give the building a purpose, a use, a reason to exist. We hope that "All Seasons" captures your imagination and you book your holidays and visits to Lincolnshire with us. "All Seasons" success will no doubt generate more interest in restoration and listed properties and hopefully more buildings will be saved as a consequence. 

Should anyone be considering restoring a redundant building or listed building we think they will be rewarded as it is very satisfying to see listed buildings restored. It is, of course a life changing experience and a decision not to be taken lightly and the pitfalls are immense so choose your property wisely. 

For advice we would recommend contacting your local conservation officer at the council and also contact English Heritage. 

Diary 2003 - 2008 - 5 Years of Restoration Work

140 Eastgate and 142 Eastgate was used as private residences during 18th and 19th centuries up until 1940s The properties are well known and are a piece of Louth as well as Lincolnshire history. The property was then purchased by Charles Wilkinson, the founder of the motor racing circuit, Cadwell Park and used as offices for the race circuit and dozens of other Louth businesses over the last 60 years.

Ludensians (as Louth locals are known) will recall many of the companies trading from here including Eric Coopers Architects, Monuments Hairdressers, Skin Deep Beauty Salon, Joe Buckner Associates and the Louth Corn Exchange.

It is likely that many locals will have mixed emotions about the history of the building as it was owned by the Department of Transport and used as the Driving Test Centre for many years. 

Restoration Work 2003 - 2005

During early 2003 and into 2004 we spent a significant amount of time with planning departments, conservation meetings and drawing up plans and sketches for the building regulations team.  All the plans drawn and submitted to the planners where drawn by the owners (Adrian) and the project was also managed by us. We had a team of builders from M and M Granthams who carried out around 1/2 the work with other trades to remove and replace the roof, plumb in the water and drainage and wire all the apartments.  The whole lot took around 12 months to get to the decorating stage and cost around £1/4 million leaving us with no savings at all! We sold the car, cashed in endowments and emptied the piggy bank to be able to afford the paint and furnishings and started with 3 apartments, saving up enough from bookings to complete the other two over the next 3 years.

Much of our work has involved decorating and furnishing the apartments, marketing the business and dealing with enquiries and bookings. By far the most important resource in the maintenance of our listed buildings is you, our guests. Georgian properties are extremely expensive to maintain and as such need constant work and money to upkeep. 

Restoration Work 2005 - 2006

Getting the final 4th apartment "Upgate" completed has been a priority.  With All Seasons much appreciated popularity a small problem has occurred which we hadn't anticipated. We are full, full , full and we're concerned of disturbing the guests if we carry out the replacement and improvements to the apartments stairs and handrail. We decide to take a brave move and close for a couple of weeks whilst we do all the noisy and dusty work.  We reopen in March 2006 and get along with the painting and decorating opening Upgate in June 2006.  Our first guest thinks it's fabulous!

Restoration Work 2007 - 2008

Best Self Catering Holiday in the East Midlands, Pride of Place Award from Louth Civic Trust, and a Highly Commended Award from HRH Duke of Kent at the Georgian Group Awards in London, 2007 was indeed a great year. For 2008 we move out of our "owners" accommodation and add a new 3 bedroom townhouse to our collection of stunning properties in the form of "Chequergate" . With three 1 bedroom apartments, a 2 bedroom apartment and a 3 bedroom townhouse All Seasons and the restoration of 140 - 142 Eastgate is now complete and fully open for business (May 2008). 

                             

Top Left - Front Dec 2002. Top Right - Hairdressers, now "Ramsgate" 

Mid Left - Beauty Salon, now "Westgate". Mid Right - Driving Agency, now "Westgate" 

Bot Left - Architects, now "Kidgate". Bot Right - Driving Agency, now "Westgate"