Gainsborough is undergoing an impressive renaissance, with recent investments revitalising Market Place and surrounding areas. These enhancements are restoring pride in the town centre and delivering genuine benefits for residents and businesses alike.
In May 2025, the former Baltic Mill site was transformed into a welcoming riverside green area, featuring lawns, benches, planting beds, and a decorative pergola displaying a town map. Opened by the Council Chair, the space fills a critical gap in high-quality outdoor amenities and was funded through the £18 million Levelling‑Up/Thriving Gainsborough programme. It complements the existing Riverside Walk, offering both relaxation and scenic value—boosting community health and local appeal
As part of Project Centre’s wider town centre work, the Market Place streetscape is being reimagined to better attract footfall and retain visitors. Installed in June 2025, new planters, seating integrated into floral pots, and a multi‑level podium have stepped into position. These contemporary design elements soften the urban feel while enabling small performances and staged events.
Through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, numerous heritage buildings around Lord Street, Silver Street, and Market Place have been restored with traditional materials, sash-window replacements, and custom shopfronts. Notable success stories include renovated Georgian façades at 5–7 Market Place (now mixed residential/commercial) and businesses like Horsley’s bedding store relocating into beautifully restored historic units—thanks to Levelling‑Up funding and façade grants. These improvements have already lured new tenants and increased investment in the town’s heritage core.
By transforming the old public toilet block into a café venue and enhancing the planting scheme in Whitton Gardens, the Council is strengthening Gainsborough’s riverside hospitality infrastructure. This charming spot braces the town centre corridor between Market Place and the Baltic Mill green area, offering a seamless route for visitors and locals to enjoy food and leisure.
Collectively, these projects—backed by Levelling‑Up, National Lottery heritage funds, and local authority support—deliver a more vibrant, accessible, and visually compelling town centre. They’re generating increased footfall, fostering community events, and encouraging private investment in Gainsborough’s future. With the Savoy Cinema opening this summer, the timing couldn’t be better.
Gainsborough is proving that thoughtful regeneration, which blends green spaces, heritage renewal, and public amenities, can deliver real economic and social wins. For local businesses, these changes mean more visitors, improved trading environments, and exciting opportunities for partnerships and pop-ups.
Photo Credit: Carre Heritage
