BRIGG COURTYARD WITH AN INTERESTING HISTORY

 

An historic courtyard in Brigg with an interesting history, Coney Court is one of the most interesting  in the town as it differs from most of the others which host niche shops.
This court, accessed by an archway from the Market Place and on foot from Cary Lane at two points, has commercial links stretching back a couple of hundred years rather than being dominated by retail.
Rabbit processing went on here in sheds until the later third of the 19th century - the fur being sold to hat-makers and clothing manufacturers based far and wide.
The former Spring's renowned jam-making business - later to be sited in a large riverside factory - could trace its origins back to a small scale 19th century base in one of the town's yards, possibly Coney Court.
The Servicemen's Club - founded 100 years ago -  still occupies its original site in what is now the northern end of the alley. Coney Court remains its postal address because an earlier entrance fronted Coney Court - not Old Courts Road as is now the case..
The Hungry Fisherman's takeaway and restaurant premises so familiar to Brigg people today was run as a chippie for many years by the Neall family. There was a fish and chip outlet here during the Second World War, and probably for some years prior to the conflict. 

Opposite the chip shop/restaurant and bordering the Brigg Servicemen's Club beer garden today is an area of land with potential for new use. 

Wilko's store, on Cary Lane, now borders Old Courts Road at its northern end - these premises having been purpose-built in the 1980s for discount retailer Kwik Save.
Coney Court once featured a number of traditional small cottages - some still being occupied post-war.

Planning permission has been granted to demolish the rather drab former market stalls storage building backing onto Coney Court from Cary Lane.
However, North Lincolnshire Council has yet to dismantle the structure or announce detailed plans setting out what it intends to do with the site once it has been cleared. 

The initial project to erect retail archways above the entrances to Brigg courtyards included Coney Court - with rabbit motifs to appear either side of the lettering. Coney Court has yet to feature in the scheme, although some arches have been erected elsewhere in the town centre.
 

 

This alley remains a popular walkway for people coming into Brigg by bus and later returning to Cary Lane to head home.
PICTURED: Coney Court from above circa 50 years ago, and views of the alley taken yesterday, including the club and the former market stalls storage building.