The North Cleethorpes Big Local area was situated along the southern bank of the Humber, within the popular seaside destination town of Cleethorpes. With a population of 9,563 residents, the boundary of the Big Local area did not include the main tourist-destination areas of Cleethorpes (ONS, 2022). Instead, it contained housing (nearly 70 per cent of which was terraced) (ONS, 2023), some shops, eateries, green spaces, and a section of promenade and beach, as well as the main Cleethorpes train station. The local community faced distinct socioeconomic challenges, falling within the 20 per cent most deprived areas of England (MHCLG, 2019).
In preparation for their first plan, the partnership (referring to themselves as Big Local North Cleethorpes) engaged with over 3,000 people of all ages residing in, working in, and visiting the area. Their aim was to find out what issues most concerned residents and identify where they should focus their efforts for change in the area. Several key delivery themes emerged, including physical infrastructure, the environment, young people and families, and the local economy.
Throughout the programme, Big Local North Cleethorpes benefited from the participation of several active volunteers, each of whom contributed unique interests, skills, and priorities to the work. In their earlier years, the partnership made collective decisions as a tight team and concentrated on larger-scale infrastructure and environmental projects. These projects were often driven by the passion of individual partnership members, delivering in subgroups. Their focus gradually shifted to delivering activities addressing a broader range of themes. This shift involved close collaboration with local groups and a continued openness to emerging opportunities.
The partnership’s locally trusted organisation (LTO) , Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire, had a strong relationship with their Big Local worker. Together, they were the driving force of Big Local for the latter half of the programme, acting on the wishes of residents and the partnership, sharing funding ideas and collaborating on projects from inception through to delivery. As a local membership organisation with a track record in community development, Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire added value to the work of the Big Local partnership by drawing on existing relationships and networks in the area, introducing successful projects from elsewhere, and supporting efforts to secure match funding.
A Big Local partnership was a group made up of at least eight people that guided the overall direction of delivery in a Big Local area.
A locally trusted organisation (LTO) was the organisation chosen by people in a Big Local area or the partnership to administer and account for funding, and/or deliver activities or services on behalf of a partnership. Areas might have worked with more than one locally trusted organisation depending on the plan and the skills and resources required.
Many Big Local partnerships funded workers to support the delivery of Big Local. They were paid individuals, as opposed to those who volunteered their time. They were different from Big Local reps and advisors, who were appointed and paid by Local Trust.
The Big Local North Cleethorpes partnership collaborated with numerous stakeholders on a long-term project to restore a pavilion for community use. The Sussex Pavilion was a historic recreation centre, constructed in 1934 on the local Sussex Recreation Ground. Over the years, the building had declined in popularity and eventually fell into disrepair.
Big Local funding of £52,000 was invested into restoring and developing the building, which was supplemented significantly by volunteer hours and in-kind private-sector sponsorship. The partnership supported the Sidney Sussex Community Group in negotiating a lease for the site from the local authority and establishing financial systems. Sussex Pavilion underwent refurbishment to a high standard, retaining many of its original features and featuring a new sprung dancefloor on its reopening. Residents saw the restored space as an asset for the area.
In 2015, the Pavilion received recognition, winning ‘Community Project of the Year’ in the Grimsby Telegraph. Despite its successes, the partnership experienced some challenges around the reopening, including a lack of awareness of the contribution of Big Local, and some frustrations around anticipated access to the space going forward. However, they felt the project had developed their learning around collaborating with different stakeholders, and they felt stronger as a group for it.
In collaboration with local partners, Big Local North Cleethorpes participated in a £500,000 redevelopment project at Cleethorpes Railway Station ticket office, transforming the space into a cycle hub. The partnership was drawn to this proposal due to its alignment with supporting local enterprise, promoting healthy lifestyles, and contributing to the regeneration of the North Promenade area.
The Cleethorpes Cycle Hub officially opened in 2019, providing residents with the ability to hire, park, and repair bicycles. The Big Local funding contribution of £20,000 was earmarked for the construction of a cycle ramp, ensuring easy access to the station concourse for cyclists and the wider community. The partnership considered the improved accessibility of the station to be a significant legacy of the programme.
The partnership wanted a base for Big Local in North Cleethorpes, and to secure an accessible long-term drop-in space where community activities could be based. When an opportunity arose to invest in the refurbishment of a former shop and flat at 82 Grimsby Road – a prominent local access road – Big Local funding was contributed to the purchase by a local social enterprise. This ownership carried requirements for the building’s use, which aligned with the partnership’s community-focused intentions.
Once renovated, 82 Grimsby Road offered numerous community amenities, including storage, Wi-Fi, heating, tables, chairs, workbenches, a computer, and a TV. The partnership also constructed a shed with a pleasant garden space, which they named Brocklebank Hall in memory of a former Big Local committee member.
As intended, the space was an anchor for the partnership during the programme and helped establish Big Local presence in the area. It became a hub for local community groups, hosting various support services and activities. Big Local North Cleethorpes worked on initiatives to secure the hub’s future for the community, such as renting out the flat as office space, and reinvesting in the building’s ongoing operations.
Partnership members sought to enhance the environment by negotiating to bring local spaces into community use, however, they encountered several challenges.
Big Local North Cleethorpes had long-held ambitions to clear debris from parts of the North Beach, to turn unusable land into a safe and useful public amenity. A resident went about sourcing evidence to determine who owned the land, with the partnership believing it to be the local authority. Unfortunately, despite members efforts, they were ultimately unable to move forward with the project.
Similarly, the partnership wished to acquire a local pond and surrounding area to create a community amenity. Despite efforts to explore possibilities with the landowner and other partners, the land remained in private ownership, and the project was shelved.
Though the projects proved disappointing for the partnership, members felt they developed their capacity in evidence-building and negotiating.
The partnership was committed to supporting the development of the local North Promenade area of Cleethorpes. As part of this they supported the development of a new business, Moon on the Water, a cultural venue for the community.
Moon on the Water enhanced access to arts and culture in the area and supported the careers of local musicians and artists. Initially, Big Local North Cleethorpes provided a capital grant to ensure the building met the minimum legal health and safety, and food hygiene standards for opening. It opened in 2016 (although it closed temporarily during Covid-19), functioning as a music and performing arts venue, with a vegan café and bar. As the space gained momentum, the second phase of support from the partnership facilitated the purchase of state-of-the-art PA and lighting equipment, enabling a diverse range of live events.
The initial funding from the Big Local programme put the directors in a strong position to attract additional funding and volunteer support for the venture as its popularity grew.
Over the course of the programme, responding to changing circumstances, Big Local North Cleethorpes transitioned from directly supporting young people in the area to commissioning local groups and organisations for more specific interventions.
Big Local funding was invested in the Cleethorpes Youth Club (known locally as ‘The Hangout’), and the partnership collaborated with YMCA, VANEL, and a local social enterprise to establish and operate it. This ran successfully for a couple of years, with separate groups for older and younger children, and numerous local volunteers involved in delivery. However, with Covid-19 restrictions and related challenges around volunteer capacity these youth sessions ceased in 2020.
In response, the partnership collaborated with other local groups and organisations that supported young people. This shift enabled the partnership to extend support to young people in more targeted ways. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Big Local funding was invested in IT support and equipment for families facing difficulties accessing online teaching during lockdown periods. Additionally, they supported young people from North Cleethorpes to participate in a local Green Influencers programme. This initiative involved local young people in activities, such as litter-picks, which were intended to foster a sense of environmental responsibility and community pride among young residents.
Each Big Local area received approximately £1.2 million (ranging from £1.199 mil to 1.209 mil) to spend over 10–15 years, depending on how much additional funding they accessed from Local Trust to address specific needs. For example, to bring people together at the start of the programme or to access training and support. This has been categorised for areas and at the programme level based on reports received from areas.
Partnerships chose their own priorities and categories for reporting, and were encouraged to use broad categories so they could use the funding flexibly. All areas spent a significant amount of money on ‘Big Local delivery costs’ such as workers’ salaries, stationery and IT equipment. You can find out more about programme level spend in this article. This is how North Cleethorpes Big Local told Local Trust they used their Big Local funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) (2019) ‘English indices of deprivation 2019’. (Accessed 9 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2022) ‘UK Census 2021: All persons’. (Accessed 9 October 2024)
Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2023) ‘UK Census 2021: Whole house or bungalow: Terraced’. (Accessed 18 October 2024)
