A former school building in Cleethorpes is to be transformed into a haven for dementia patients.
Work will begin on the Lindsey School site this summer after Yorkare Homes was awarded planning permission by North East Lincolnshire Council earlier this month.
The home, designed by Fluid Design Associates based in York, will be housed within the existing exterior of the iconic Clee Road building and will be the first in the country to boast a full street scene.
The £6m unit will have 80 beds and a fully-operational pub, cafe, cinema and games room as well as a hairdressing salon and other stores.
Development director, Laurence Garton, said he was ‘delighted’ the scheme had been given the go ahead, adding that a tendering process was now underway to appoint a main contractor.
“Other companies have put shops inside care homes before, but nothing on this scale – it will be Britain’s first development of this type.
“There will be fake grass, working shops and other shopfronts to stimulate memory for dementia sufferers.
“It will also give residents independence and somewhere to meet family members – all under cover in a safe environment.”
The money the shops take will go into a residents’ fund, which will pay for trips out.
It is thought the construction of the centre will take up to 12 months.