Lytham Hall ready to welcome back visitors

It’s estimated that around £200,000 in operational revenue has been lost while the Grade I-listed mansion and its parkland have been shut because of the coronavirus crisis.

The financial disappointment was compounded further this week with the announcement that the debut Proms concert at the Hall – scheduled for next month and with all profits to go to the venue – has had to be postponed until next year.

But general manager Peter Anthony and his team are relishing the gates being opened again from Saturday – and have extra cause for celebration with a £51,000 grant from Fylde Council confirmed for refurbishment of the Hall driveway.

“We are all over the moon to get back to work and throw open the gates once again,” said Peter.

“Our committed team of staff and our army of dedicated volunteers will be ensuring Lytham Hall is as welcoming as ever.

“The parkland, cafe, garden centre, antique shop, and our animal hub will be open seven days a week just as before and the Hall itself will be open for tours Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“For the rest of the season, we will be operating a free-flow system which means visitors can explore the Hall at their own pace.

“Room guides will be available throughout the building to offer advice, meaning group gatherings are avoided and making for a much safer environment.

“We have also received our ‘We’re Good To Go’ accreditation from Visit Britain – for implementing many safety precautions throughout so visitors can feel safe.

“Our upstairs function room will be turned into an extra cafe area over two tiers allowing much more space.

“One way systems will in place to avoid any bottlenecks and there are hand sanitizer stations at regular points.

“Being closed since late March has meant a huge loss in operational revenue to the tune of around £200,000 for the period of closure, but we are confident we will bounce back more resilient than ever before, and we are all the more determined to make Lytham Hall the success it deserves to be.

“We can’t wait to see the place alive once again.”

Fylde MP Mark Menzies said: “I’m pleased to see more of our tourism businesses reopening, especially Fylde’s only Grade I-listed building, Lytham Hall.

“I am sure the reopening will be a big success and I am glad to see the measures put in place to help people maintain social distancing rules.

“The staff and volunteers at the Hall have worked so hard and made such a difference in recent years, it was incredibly sad to see the doors close, but necessary to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“I hope we all support the Hall as much as possible, and do so with social distancing still in mind.

“Safety must remain our top priority, but getting our businesses and attractions back up and running is important too.”

Meanwhile, Fylde Council’s finance and democracy committee has approved a request for financial assistance from the Hall, which will see a £51,500 funding addition to the Capital Programme to improve the driveway from Ballam Road up to the Hall and beyond to link the car park entrances.

Coun Karen Buckley, acting leader of Fylde Council and chairman of the finance and democracy committee, said: “Recent years has seen Lytham Hall become a much- loved venue for locals and the publicity provided by the arrival of the Antiques Roadshow this time last year has put it well and truly on the map.

“I hope this funding will help Lytham Hall bounce back strongly so that visitors and local residents alike can enjoy the Hall, tearooms and grounds more than ever.”

Mr Anthony greeted the grant as “fantastic news”, while Hall trustee Steve Williams said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the decision from Fylde Council to support this grant.

“Lytham Hall is now playing a big role in the local economy by attracting around 130,000 visitors a year. By combining a visit to the Hall and Lytham centre it is turning us into a real day trip destination.

“This in turn helps the local shops and restaurants, as well as other attractions.

“The pandemic has certainly affected us, but with the help of infrastructure grants such as this, I’m confident we will bounce back even stronger”