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).
Restoration
Work 2009 onwards
Having been involved with restoration we
now have our own company set aside to supply cast iron air bricks for
restoration work.
If you would like information on cast iron air
vents especially suited for listed properties please see our website
The Cast Iron Air Bricks Company
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"
