Former Spalding hospital could be converted into cultural hub under South Holland District Council leader’s vision

A former hospital building which has been allowed to become an eyesore over the last 15 years could be turned into a cultural hub if a council leader’s hopes come to fruition.

Coun Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, says the former Johnson Hospital in Spalding remains a priority for him - but will have to wait until 2026 when £20million Government funding to rejuvenate the town comes through.

The gothic style building was constructed in 1876 using money left by Elizabeth Ann and Mary Ann Johnson to provide a hospital for the town but it was sold off by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust in 2010 for just £180,000.

It has been allowed to rot - becoming an embarrassment for the town it was built to serve - after being purchased by an offshore company. It is listed under Schilthorn Limited on the government’s business rates website - with a pathetic rateable value of £5,500 - but it is not clear if this marks a change of ownership from offshore owner Dyden.

But finding a way to speak to the owners of this once much-loved building could prove to be a barrier for those looking to solve the problem.

Coun Worth told this website: “It is still a priority site for me but that will depend on funding from Spalding Town Board and ideally some matched funding from the Mayor and a business plan for use of the site. It could potentially be a great cultural hub for the arts and heritage, maybe alongside some housing accommodation, as an idea.

“It also greatly depends on being able to contact the owner of the building as it is an offshore company and if we can’t agree a price with them, then going down the compulsory purchase route.

“That would take a minimum of a year in itself and we still have to pay a market rate for it. So a major but long term project, bearing in mind the town fund money will not be available until 2026.”

Currently the listing on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website shows only part of the former hospital is rateable as ‘offices and premises’. The previous listing as a hospital was transferred over to the new Johnson Community Hospital in Pinchbeck.

Spalding was listed as one of 55 ‘left behind’ towns which were in need of extra support and will getting £20million over a ten year period. This prompted the formation of Spalding Town Board last year.

Coun Worth initially shared his hopes for the site to become a cultural hub within in a campaign video for Rob Waltham - who is the Conservative candidate vying to be the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.

How would you like to see the former Johnson Hospital used? Let us know your views in the comments below…