Source: Skegness Standard 30th January 1987
Photos and article not credited by the Standard
Countdown to start on new shopping precinct – Shop owners sad to leave
Photo: Time runs out for the Hildred’s Hotel as the countdown for work starting on the new precinct begins.
Construction work on the multi-million pound 25-shop Hildred’s Shopping precinct fronting High Street will begin in less than two weeks.
The scheme includes demolition of Hildred’s Hotel, one of Skegness’ oldest buildings, and several existing shops.
This week saw one of the last shops at the top end of High Street closing down to make room for the impressive new shopping mall.
Bill Brown’s Hairdressers has been in its present location for the last 19 years. And Bill has worked in High Street since 1943.
But Bill seems quite excited about the move. That’ll be to 13 Algitha Road some time this week.
Of the new precinct Bill says “I think it’ll be an improvement to the town.”
Upset
The last shop to close down on the Hildred’s strip will be K and M Johnson’s wool shop.
Mary Johnson is upset about leaving High Street.
Together with her sister, Kathleen, Mary has built up the thriving business over the past 25 years.
“I’m hurt by the move,” says Mary who explained that all the stock will have to be put into storage until new premises are found.
Hopefully Johnson’s customers will be able to find Mary and Kathleen in the new precinct, but everything is very much in the air at the moment.
Work on the precinct is planned to be completed by April of next year.
Source: Skegness Standard 27th March 1987
Photo: Ben Hardaker
Photo: Two of Skegness’ most famous features – the Jolly Fisherman and the Hildreds
Hotel – but one of them won’t be here for long! For the Jolly Fisherman took the first symbolic blow on the demolition of the High Street Hotel this week.
Jolly Fisherman, mascot of Skegness strikes the first blow in demolishing Hildred’s Hotel Skegness
Demolition of Hildred’s Hotel started this week, making way for the new multi-million pound shopping development in Skegness.
The demolition work is being carried out by Gerry Cooper, of Wisbech, who said it will take about five months to clear the site which is presently occupied by the hotel and several small shops along the High Street.
But the Hotels name will remain a feature of the town because the shopping site bordered by Lumley Road, Beresford Avenue and Lawn Avenue is to be called The Hildred’s.
On Tuesday police warned motorists that the High Street will be cut off once hoardings are put up along the street. These will remain in place until completion of the work and will reduce the width of the road to 3.5m for through traffic.
There will be no parking along the street and from March 30th the road will be closed for three weeks.
Work will temporarily cease over the Easter Bank holiday weekend, when the road will be re-open to traffic unless circumstances change.
Boots the chemist are among the companies who have been looking into the possibility of moving into one of the 25 shop units which will be available in the new development but have not, as yet, reached a decision.
Skegness Magazine 