Skegness Magazine

MR FRED Nicholls, the man responsible for establishing Skegness’ open air market on Briar Way, and the Indoor Bowls Club,  died in 1990 in Australia, aged 81.
Born in Birmingham in 1908, Mr Nicholls came to the seaside town after advice from his doctor In 1960 and bought an old photographic studio in Briar Way which he turned into a small walkround store.
Across the road from the store was some derelict land which he bought to turn into an outdoor market. His planning application was turned down and after lodging an appeal, he discovered that he could hold the market for 28 days without planning permission. With backing from traders and residents, he put up the temporary market which became permanent seven weeks later when he won the appeal.
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It is still a bustling market today and stands as a tribute to its founder.
He also founded the Indoor Bowls Club and will be sadly missed by all his friends there, especially Harry Coote.
Harry said: “He was the founder chairman and in my opinion he was the person most responsible for the present success of the club. He had the vision in 1977 and the necessary grit and determination in the following years to steer the club in the right direction.”
Mr Nicholls’ first wife, Kate, died in 1979 after spending 47 very happy years together. He sold the market in 1981 and re-married and moved to Australia in 1982.
In his eight years away from England, Mr Nicholls attained the distinction of being the first life member of Probes in the whole of Western Australia.
There will be a memorial sevice at Burgh-le-Marsh Parish Church on Thursday, January 11, at 11 am. He leaves behind Anne (wife), Tony and Betty (son and daughter-in-law), Victoria (granddaughter) and her husband Kevin, and Beverly and Melanie (granddaughters). Rebecca Kate (great grandchild), Jack and George (brothers), Peggy (daughter-in-law) and her husband Vic. Yvonne (niece), Lawrence (nephew) and family, Larry (stepson) and family, and Diane (stepdaughter) and family.