Coombs will help to protect Kearsney Abbey heritage
Work is due to start in the autumn on building works in Kearsney Abbey as part of the £3.1m Heritage Lottery funded Kearsney Parks project. Following a competitive tender Dover District Council has awarded a £1m contract to Coombs (Canterbury) Ltd.
We've announced the award of a major contract to restore the Grade II listed billiards room at #KearsneyAbbey as part of our #lotteryfunded #parksforpeople project @HLFSouthEast @CCL_Canterbury 1/2 https://t.co/EXDEEta54N pic.twitter.com/IczJrsHgaR
— Kearsney Parks (@Kearsneyparks) August 16, 2018
The contract includes the restoration of the Grade II listed former billiards room, the only remaining structure from the mansion which originally stood on the site, along with the construction of a 180 sq. m. new build extension.
The extension will provide an enlarged café with modern kitchen facilities, along with new customer toilets. The extension and toilets will be fully accessible. A new outside space will provide additional seating.
The contract also includes a 180 sq. m. extension to the #KearsneyAbbey cafe #lotteryfunded #parksforpeople @HLFSouthEast @CCL_Canterbury 2/2 https://t.co/EXDEEtrGtn pic.twitter.com/FiSQt03aSn
— Kearsney Parks (@Kearsneyparks) August 16, 2018
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Cabinet Member for Property Management, said: “Kearsney Abbey is one of the most popular public parks in East Kent. By restoring the billiards room and extending the café even more people will be able to enjoy the fabulous parkland setting.”
John Healey, Coombs Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Dover District Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, and Big Lottery Fund on this exciting project. Our work together on the Billiards Room and Café extension will contribute to recreating Kearsney Abbey’s historic role as a cultural venue for the people of Kent.”
Kearsney Abbey is part of the Parks for People project. Parks for People is a joint Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund programme which aims to protect and enhance historic parks, helping to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy these important public open spaces (www.hlf.org.uk).
Kearsney Abbey is one of Dover district’s most significant heritage parks and is the most popular park in the district. Parks for People’s aim is to protect the park’s heritage, to create more opportunities to visit, to be involved and learn of the park’s history.
