HISTORIC BRIGG BUILDING MAKES THE GRADE

This year marks the 70th anniversary of a number of historic properties in Brigg being given grade two listed building status.
The designation means they enjoy a degree of protection, with major changes having to be notified to the local planning authority and approval obtained.
Such properties are also required to be kept in good condition.
Among Brigg town centre buildings added to the national list on October 10, 1952 was 7 Market Place - pictured here earlier this week while being given a bit of tender loving care in terms of repainting.
The 18th century Georgian property has a traditional clay pantile roof. View further details about the building and why it was listed in 1952 here...
Latterly used as offices, it began as a town house of distinction and was owned for many years by the Elwes family (Lords of the Manor).
In the early 20th century it belonged to well-known GP Dr W. S. Frith, later having Gray's Cafe & Snack Bar on the ground floor and then being used as local council offices, the headquarters of the South Humber Business Advice Centre (helping to create new jobs), the Brigg HQ of Ian Cawsey MP, followed by local company GSA Enviromental.
Rather surprisingly, the building's future was in doubt half a century ago.
Local journalist Edward (Ted) Dodd noted with regret in his renowned book Brigg (published in the early 1970s) that No 7 had been allowed to become "run down" and was "due for demolition" with plans to erect new offices on the site.
He suggested Brigg Urban District Council was considering this possibility, although Ted felt that, with investment, No 7 "could still be an atttractive feature of the Market Place."
The UDC was wound up in 1974, as part of local government re-organisation undertaken across the UK, and the newly-created Glanford Borough Council, based in Brigg, showed faith in 7 Market Place. It was retained and improved. Ownership passed to North Lincolnshire Council when it was created in 1996, with the property later being put up for sale by the authority.

The recent work has been carried out by Sonny Christian, from Barnetby.
In future 'Then & Now' posts we will feature other Brigg buildings given listed building status 70 years ago.