Community Groups Unite to Revive Historic Lytham Institute

Four of the town’s established community groups have come together – the Lytham St.

Annes Civic Society, the Lytham Heritage Group, the Lytham Town Trust and the Friends of

Lytham Institute. Our joint vision is exciting - the revival of the Grade 2 listed Lytham

Institute in Clifton Street.

We believe that by working together we can achieve our common aim – the restoration of the

Institute as a thriving community hub. It’s a handsome building, well-sited in the heart of

town. Its revival for residents and visitors alike is a vital step in protecting and promoting our

high street heritage.

Built originally by the people of Lytham and given to Lytham Council in 1917, the Institute

today belongs to the Lytham Institute Trust, a charity whose sole trustee is currently Fylde

Council. The Trust was registered in 2019, thanks to the considerable efforts of the

community, the Civic Society, Gadsden Coupe Solicitors and charity barrister Francesca

Quint of Radcliffe Chambers, London.

Following registration, Fylde Council decided that the new Trust should be run by its Finance

& Democracy Committee; the reason they gave was that this Committee dealt with assets

which were “surplus to operational requirements.” At its meeting on 7 th October 2021 (with

no Lytham councillors involved) the F&D committee voted that the Trust’s objectives should

refer to the Institute “or other appropriate premises”. This decision completely ignored many

public representations and would make it possible for the Trustee to empty the Institute

building and run the activities elsewhere.

Since 2019 the building has remained unused, apart from the Hewitt Rooms and the much-

visited and growing Lytham Heritage Group Archive on the first floor. The old billiard room,

lending library and children’s library - all attractive ground floor rooms - remain empty,

along with other rooms on the first floor.

For some time we have been trying to open a dialogue with the Council and offer our help,

but unfortunately their stance so far has been to wait for a decision from the Charity

Commission regarding the Trust’s new objectives.

It’s now four years since the Trust was registered by Fylde Council, and we remain

determined to protect the Institute building and to restore it for the community. Many in the

town are supportive of our cause. Gadsden Coupe and Francesca Quint KC are continuing to

assist.

It’s important to keep everyone informed of our joint efforts for Lytham Institute and we

hope that the issue of this note will help. Remember, we are all beneficiaries of the Trust –

let’s keep it that way.