Goole’s Aire Street has been shortlisted for a national award!

The transformation of Aire Street in Goole has made the shortlist for the best rescue of a heritage site in the Historic England Angel Awards.

Once upon a time Aire Street in Goole was the commercial heart of the town, but those days are long gone and for many years the area was characterised by vacant and derelict buildings.

Step forward Julie and Howard Duckworth, who since 2004 have been breathing new life into unique historic buildings on Aire Street and the surrounding area. They completed their first major project in Goole 12 years ago down Pasture Road and have been rescuing the town’s important historic buildings ever since. The repair and conversion of 46-52 Aire Street and Dock View was completed in 2008 and has provided five retail units, one now home to a very successful Italian restaurant and 11 affordable apartments.

The restoration of the grade II* Lowther Hotel was completed in 2010, bringing one of Goole’s most important historic buildings back into use as a 12-bedroom hotel with a cocktail bar and a number of function rooms, as well as saving the historic murals for future generations.

The Drake Inn at 58 Aire Street, formally Barclays Bank, has been converted into a popular real ale bar with 10 bedrooms and original features, including rare Minton wall tiles not seen since 1906 that have been restored.

All of the restoration projects were undertaken without grant funding, and all were in a terrible condition when they were bought by the Julie Howard Partnership. It is their determination for breathing new life into derelict historic buildings, alongside a passion for Goole and its potential that has seen Julie and Howard Duckworth devote so much time and energy to the town.

Cast your vote for the husband and wife team who are transforming Goole’s old buildings. To place your vote and help get Goole the national recognition it deserves, visit www.historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/angel-awards/shortlist-2016/best-rescue-heritage-site and follow the on-screen prompts.

All votes must be received before midnight on 12 October 2016. The project that receives the most votes will be presented with an award at the Historic England Angel Awards ceremony in London on 31 October.