To secure the future of what is considered to be one of the finest Georgian houses in Lancashire, the owners of Lytham Hall have unveiled an ambitious £5m restoration plan.
The house was built for Thomas Clifton by the famous architect John Carr of York between 1752-64 and incorporated elements of the existing Jacobean house. It remained the Clifton family home until the 1960s when it was finally sold to Guardian Royal Exchange Insurance who owned it until 1997, and is now run by Heritage Trust for the North West on a 99-year lease on behealf of the owners, Lytham Town Trust.
The £5m plans are the first part of an eventual £10m plan to upgrade every aspect of the house and estate to provide holiday accomodation, a tea room and conference facilities. Although a shame that the house is no longer a home, it’s encouraging to find plans which respect the history and architectural importance of the house as they seek ways to ensure a secure future.
Full story: ‘New lease of life for historic hall‘ [Lytham St Anne’s Express]
The Country Seat 
The Lytham Hall (http://www.lythamhall.co.uk) lessee, Heritage Trust for the North West (http://www.htnw.co.uk), has only managed to raise £1m in the last 8 months, and is now faced with having to raise a further £2m in 4 months, or it will loose the Heritage Lottery Fund pledge of £2m, which expires in March 2011 if the £3m matched funding is not raised:
http://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/news/local/kirkham-and-rural/help_us_reach_hall_2m_target_1_2731294
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/daily-feature/Restoration-revisited.6612937.jp
Lest hope that some of the larger funders are holding back to the last minute, to see if others will pitch in. The situation has not been helped by the fire on 15 June which destroyed part of the stables at the rear of the house, fortunately not effecting the Hall:
http://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/lytham-news/Blaze-at-historic-hall.6361887.jp