Renovated Scunthorpe church to host £2.5m technology centre

"We must create more reasons to come into town," council leader Rob Waltham said

A new £2.5m science and technology centre for children and families is to be created in Scunthorpe.

North Lincolnshire Council was awarded the money as part of the Towns Fund.

Repairs to St John's Church at Church Square House would create space to build the centre to be known as Discover@20-21, officials said.

North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham said the scheme would "restore one of our key heritage sites and a notable local landmark."

Councillor Waltham said it would be fantastic to see the hoardings at St John's Church "finally come down" to open up the space for community events

Mr Waltham said the project was part of a plan to create "a new, different future for Scunthorpe town centre".

He said the science and technology centre would be "a major addition" to the town.

"We must create more reasons for people to have different experiences and activities. That is what we are doing to create a new, modern, thriving place," he added.

North Lincolnshire Council said repairs to the walls, roof and exterior of St John's Church would make the whole building accessible and connected to the square

Church Square has already seen a share of the Towns Fund award of £20.9m for Scunthorpe, which was confirmed in 2021.

A new urban park was opened in September 2022 after more than a year's delay to its completion, partly due to the pandemic.

The £2.5m for the repairs to St John's Church and creation of Discover@20-21 is part of more than £80m of government funding for major council projects in North Lincolnshire.

This has included cash for roads, new motorway junctions and £1m to help fund refits and rebuilds of vacant units in Scunthorpe.