Heritage Lincolnshire has taken the very difficult decision to place Pow Cottage, High Street, Tattershall, on the market.
This has not been an easy decision. Pow Cottage was a generous bequest from Jane Pow who died in 2020. It was also particularly generous of Jane not to restrict the terms of her bequest by giving Heritage Lincolnshire trustees freedom of action as to how the asset represented by her cottage would be used in future.
We had hoped, on accepting the bequest, that Pow Cottage could operate as holiday accommodation. However, like many charities in this sector, Heritage Lincolnshire has had to rethink long-term plans and priorities against an increasingly difficult financial outlook. Significant cost increases associated with health and safety compliance, alongside other administrative challenges of operating a historic building as a holiday let, have led to us taking the difficult decision to convert Jane’s legacy into cash, aimed at supporting the vital services that the charity provides.
Over recent years, Heritage Lincolnshire has undertaken significant work across the county, including major conservation, regeneration and heritage skills projects, and the charity remains actively and enthusiastically committed to its mission, but to progress its ambitions is has had to reorganise its long-term finances.
The cottage has been an important landmark on Tattershall High Street, and we recognise the affection many people hold for the building and its place within Lincolnshire’s heritage. We very much hope a sympathetic purchaser can be found who understands and values the significance and character of the property.
Although we understand that this sale may disappoint some members and supporters, we would like to reassure them that Jane’s legacy will still be making a huge contribution to Lincolnshire’s Heritage by ensuring that our charity remains financially resilient and continues to promote the enjoyment and preservation of the county’s heritage.
Any enquiries can be sent to htladmin@heritagelincolnshire.org