The Barbican Hotel on St Mary’s Street is a high-quality mid-19th century building
Originally constructed as a Gentleman’s Club and repurposed as the Albion Hotel in 1876. It is understood to have operated under this name until 1983 when it changed to the Barbican Hotel.
During the latter part of the 20th Century, the building was converted for use as a public house and restaurant. The Barbican Hotel closed in 2008 and has remained vacant since.
Due to it vacancy, the building was suffering significant decay, increasing the risk that it would lose architectural elements that contribute to its heritage significance and to the overall character of the conservation area.
Overall, the interior survives well with grand central stair and secondary stair, discernible original layout and 1890s coffee room with ornate plasterwork.
The building’s close proximity to Lincoln’s new Transport Hub and location within the setting of nearby designated heritage assets including the church of St Mary Le Wigford (Grade I) and Lincoln Central Railway Station (Grade II) by virtue of its location and stature, The Barbican forms an important first impression for arrivals to Lincoln.
Listing information: historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1475731
Securing Lincoln’s History for Future Generations
The City of Lincoln Council has secured funding to breathe new life into Lincoln High Street through The High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) programme.
The government-funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, which is being delivered by Historic England, aims to unlock the potential of high streets across England by restoring buildings, making improvements to public areas, and encouraging activities and events to breathe new life into high streets for future generations.
Lincolnshire Co-Op has been awarded £280,000 of grant investment from Historic England via the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme to bring the building back to aid the restoration, reinstatement and sympathetic refurbishment of the Barbican Hotel bringing the building back into a structurally sound condition.
Historic Images
Archive image: Barbican 1966, Unknown photographer
Archive Image: St Marys Street, Unknown photographer
Present Day Photography
Credit: Stuart Wilde
Credit: Stuart Wilde
Credit: Stuart Wilde
A Creative Hub for Lincoln
Alongside Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone’s grant investment, development of the former Barbican Hotel has been further supported by funding from the government’s Be Lincoln Town Deal Fund and a partnership between the University of Lincoln and Lincolnshire Co-op, which will see the building reopen in autumn 2024 as a creative hub for the city.
The Barbican Creative Hub will bring the historic building back into use as a community-focused space offering an exhibitions and event space, café and creative workspaces to encourage and nurture the growth and productivity of the county’s creative industries.
Creative Hub Artistic Impressions
Artistic render of new hub interior courtesy of University of Lincoln
Barbican creative space members lounge and co-working 2nd floor
Further Information
Barbican Hub to Give Lincoln a Creative Boost | News and Press
This project is generously supported by Historic England and HM Government.