A former South Holland hospital could be home to arts and culture and become a hub for the area, under a new strategy.
A report due to go before members of South Holland District Council’s Cabinet next week says the area has a ‘rich cultural heritage.’
“South Holland will be a place of active cultural participation,” says the final strategy document.
Among the arts and cultural organisations mentioned in the report is the Old Hospital Collective, described as an emerging group of creatives.
“The area is one of significant potential but also one where multiple barriers have historically stood in the way of cultural renewal.
“The area’s shifting demographics – an ageing population and sustained loss of younger talent, limited transport connectivity, health and wellbeing challenges, geographically dispersed and fragmented communities are commonly identified as both barriers to cultural development and as areas where culture can play a positive role.”
A wide range of consultations have been carried out and the strategy would also fall into line with the wider vision of the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership which South Holland belongs to.
The ‘distinctiveness’ of South Holland and its differences from other areas have all been highlighted.
The report also says the area could become a hub for ‘innovative cultural practices – including in outdoor arts, micro-scale rural touring and community engagement.’
But the area’s cultural landscape needs a ‘reboot,’ it says.
The Old Hospital Network is looking to develop an under-used building ‘possibly the Old Johnson Hospital, as an arts and community venue.’
With a lack of appropriate spaces to meet demand and some of the larger venues ‘not fit for purpose,’ while smaller venues rely almost entirely on volunteers – there is a perceived need for improvements.
The former hospital, currently derelict and unused since it closed for good in 2009, could become a creative hub for the town and wider district.
“Finding a sustainable use for Old Johnson Hospital is very important to the people of Spalding,” the report says.
“There is clearly demand for greater culture-led use across heritage and community infrastructure in South Holland. For example, the recently refurbished Broad Street Methodist Church in Spalding is fully booked out.”
A wider strategy, across the entire SELC Partnership, says the area ‘will be a place of active local participation.’
The Town Board, created earlier this year, had been looking at potentially using some of the £20m ‘levelling-up’ money from the previous government to buy the former hospital which has been derelict since.
The recent budget has confirmed the long-term plan for towns will be retained and reformed into a new regeneration programme.
