Level 2 Historic Building Recording Survey The Studio Nightclub, Craythorne Lane, Boston, PE21 6HA

The level of recording was specified as a Level 2 Historic Building Survey, a descriptive and analytical record (Historic England 2016, 14). This is defined by Historic England as consisting of: � A written account of the building's origins, development and use. � An account of the evidence on which the analysis is based. � A drawn and photographic record to illustrate the building's appearance and structure. A site visit was made on the 13th and 14th April 2023, when the principal exterior elevations were photographed. The interiors were photographically recorded to include significant structural details. The location of these photographs is shown on architect's plans supplied by the client and subsequently annotated. At the time the building was recorded, much of the interior had been stripped out with elements of the structure deemed unsafe to fully access due to removal of floors and railings. The original warehouses of Gaol Granary and Sibsey Lane are a product of the late 18th century revival of the port of Boston which was started in 1766 following the opening of the Grand Sluice. Of greater significance was the reclamation of the fens in the vicinity of Boston after 1810 which witnessed a further increase in trade. Both warehouses owe their design to 15th century predecessors which were generally long and narrow with an alleyway alongside. They are located 55m from the waterfront and formed part of the industrial zone which straddled South Street south of the town centre. Both warehouses were originally of simple design with open plan floors for storage of goods, presumably grain in the case of Gaol Granary until bought by a seed merchant and likely a similar roll for the Sibsey Lane Warehouse until converted to a bonded warehouse. Both warehouses share the traits of heavy-duty timber work to support the floors intended to carry a great weight. The southern gable wall of Sibsey Lane Warehouse is pierced by doors on each floor (now converted to windows) which would have allowed goods to be lifted by pully for ease of access. Unfortunately, there is no evidence for the mechanism used as the attic storey of the gable wall was rebuilt in the mid 20th century, thus eradicating any evidence for former pulleys etc. The later use of the conjoined buildings as a public house and nightclub saw the two structures linked by opening up the western elevation of Sibsey Lane Warehouse into the Gaol Granary, and a major re-working of the interior space. The space remained essentially open plan but with staircases added to allow a circular flow of customers. Partitions were added to create facilities such as cloakrooms, toilets, bars and service areas (many of which have recently been removed). Of greater significance is the creation of light wells linking the ground floor directly to the first floor, this was likely for both aesthetic reasons and ventilation as the floors are relatively low. This required cutting through the original floor timbers and strengthening of the remaining structure via the insertion of steel lintels. Steel props and brick pillars were also added to provide further support to the upper floor. Despite these alterations a substantial amount of the original timber work survives in the building albeit in a fragile state. The interior elevations are mostly plastered or otherwise clad which has obscured most architectural features within the building.