Skegness

Source: Skegness Target January 2008

Story: Chrissie Redford

How long must we wait to rebuild? asks members of club left derelict after last summer’s sea front blaze
STAFF at Skegness Ex-Servicemen’s Club say they are “tired of the building looking like a battle zone”.
Four months after the blaze which destroyed the Parade Complex next door on Skegness sea front, they are still no further on to being able to make vital structural repairs so they can proceed with a total revamp.
“We can’t understand why the clearance of the Parade site has come to an abrupt halt,” said club secretary Fred Hoyles. “But until the rubble is cleared we can’t get scaffolding up to repair our wall and stop water getting in.”
The 126-year-old property was used as a fire brace during the blaze and it was drenched by water drawn from the swimming pool opposite, the nearby duck pond and the boating lake.
As well as destroying everything in the four-floor building -which housed two bars. a pool and snooker room. a patio area and a top flat -there was structural damage to the outside wall and gable end.
‘*Until the rubble is clearer we can’t get scaffolding up to do the repairs.
“The building’s derelict but we can’t get on. We had hoped to be open by Easter but it’s unlikely now. You can see why our members are getting rather irate,” said Mr Hoyles.
Although covered by insurance, six members of staff are also “having to survive on a basic pay” until the club re-opens.
The club has 12,000 members from all over the country, with over 300 of them from the Skegness area.
It is home to many local groups, including the Skegness Royal British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, the Fellowship of Services, the Combined Services, Skegness Sub Aqua Club, the local Labour Party, Skegness Rifle Society and the Monday Club.
“It’s more a social club,” said Mr Hoyles, who has been secretary for 18 years. “We try to encourage families and do a lot for charity”
True troupers to the end, the 10-strong committee has been given a temporary home at the Skegness Liberal Club and still meets weekly.

Members took 100 adults and children to the pantomime at the Embassy at Christmas, held a children’s party at the Vine Hotel and are now busy organising their annual dinner and dance at the Imperial. Dominoes, snooker and darts teams are also still competing in local leagues.
“It keeps everyone busy and involved,” said Mr Hoyles. “The Liberal Club and the Working Men’s Club have been very supportive and we are giving free membership at the moment.”
While waiting to get started on repairs, Mr Hoyles said they had looked at moving but their present site was ideal, for coaches dropping off their members.
“What we will get out of this is a modern spanking new building, said Mr Hoyles. “We just want to get open. That’s the main thing.”
When exactly that will be is still uncertain.
A statement has been released on behalf of the Bola brothers, who are responsible for clearance of the Parade site. “Work on clearing the site has been suspended,” it says. “Contractors are awaiting a report from structural engineers as to the safety of a wall which could collapse, endangering the public and workers if further materials are removed.”
On further developments on the site, Geoff Barry, Media Communications Consultant for the Bola brothers, said: “Watch this space.”

Picture: Fred Doyes outside the Skegness Ex-Servicemens Club

Photo by Paul Gooch

Exclusive photos of the fire damage inside the Skegness Ex-Servicemens Club

Skegness Fire - full story photos and video