Cleethorpes showground set for major capacity rise as resort looks to bigger events

Cleethorpes could soon welcome far larger crowds to one of its best known event spaces after approval was given to increase the capacity of the Meridian Showground from 5,000 to 15,000. The decision is likely to be watched closely across Lincolnshire, particularly in coastal towns where tourism, live entertainment and seasonal trade are closely linked. A bigger venue on the east coast could mean more high-profile concerts and large-scale events staying within the county, rather than audiences travelling further afield.

North East Lincolnshire Council has previously identified the council-owned site as an opportunity to bring in more income, saying the showground had not yet reached its full potential. At a full council meeting, councillor Hayden Dawkins said the necessary permission had now been secured for the increase. He said the larger capacity would help attract bigger artists and events, with the potential for a significant knock-on effect for hotels and businesses in the area.

Permission has also been granted for a management plan covering traffic linked to the expanded venue, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. For Lincolnshire readers, the move points to a wider question about how towns along the county's coast position themselves in the visitor economy. Cleethorpes already has a strong profile as a resort, and a venue capable of holding 15,000 people could strengthen its place in the regional events market.

The showground has already hosted names including Razorlight and Frank Turner. It also staged a sold-out homecoming performance by Ella Henderson last year, an event that helped raise the venue's profile and showed there is appetite for major outdoor shows in the area. The capacity announcement came during discussion of Grimsby's bid to become the first UK Town of Culture in 2028.

That competition is also relevant for Lincolnshire as Boston and Skegness have entered the race, underlining how several places in the county are trying to build stronger identities around arts, heritage and tourism. Dawkins described the contest as fierce, but said the wider area had a great deal of untapped potential. He added that success in the Town of Culture competition could bring national attention and improve the chances of further investment in culture, heritage and the arts.

Taken together, the showground expansion and the culture bids suggest a broader push to raise the profile of Greater Lincolnshire's coastal communities. While the long-term impact will depend on the events eventually secured, the approval marks a notable step for Cleethorpes. If larger acts do begin to arrive in greater numbers, the benefits may not stop at the venue gates.

For hotels, pubs, restaurants and other visitor-facing businesses across the resort, bigger crowds could bring a busier calendar and a stronger draw for people choosing a Lincolnshire day out or short break.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.