All go in Grantham

Millions of pounds in funding are making a visible difference in this market town, giving it a fresh and welcoming feel. By Glynis Fox.

The winds of change are blowing through Grantham, so if you haven’t visited for a few months, now could be the time to go.

Naturally, in line with many other towns and cities countrywide, you will spot empty units, but there are recent arrivals too.

The markets are also buzzing again, following the completion of work in the Market Place. Roadworks have raised the level of the carriageway to that of the paving, creating a smarter, more flexible place for events, activities and recreation. A series of workshops have already taken place in the area.

The work was funded as part of £4.1 million of Future High Streets Fund money awarded to South Kesteven District Council in 2020 by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Local Government.

In the summer, the Westgate Bakery, an artisan bakery and licensed café, opened in the Market Place, so why not check out this revamped area and pop in for a coffee and a snack at the same time?

The bakery is one of four businesses which come under the banner of Heritage-Social, a company started by chef Adebola Adeshina. They include Westgate 1852, a vibrant brasserie he is planning to open in Westgate next year.

This street is home to a variety of businesses, including Lauren Longden Interiors. This is a great shop to visit if you are in search of fresh ideas for your home or a special accessory. Others include the Westgate Gallery, which sells toys, pictures, gifts and cards and independent jeweller and goldsmith, MD Jewellers plus more.

You will find a mix of national stores on the town’s high street and independents too. The Isaac Newton Shopping Centre, which is fronted by Costa Coffee and the Cinco Lounge, provides a further mix of large and smaller stores, and recently welcomed Heron Foods.

MARKETS AND FESTIVALS
A new impetus and enthusiasm for South Kesteven’s traditional outdoor markets is kick-starting fresh support from shoppers and a boost to local trade, so if you love markets make sure you try Grantham’s.

Stallholders can be found every Saturday in Westgate, with monthly craft, farmers’ and a new vegan market now on the calendar. Crafters visit on the first Saturday of the month and a Farmers’ Market is hosted each second Saturday.

Additional events will become more regular towards Christmas, with a Steampunk Festival, Christmas Market and further farmers’ and vegan markets all planned.

SKDC deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and culture, Cllr Paul Stokes, said: “Our markets remain a vital part of South Kesteven life and continue to contribute to wider social, economic and environmental strategic goals.

“We’ve worked with our town councils to canvass opinion, commissioned experts in the field, crunched the data, and are now making changes to the markets themselves to make them strong and successful for the future. It’s all about continuous improvement, putting our markets on the radar and showing them a little love and respect. This involved key improvements and tweaks, keeping them relevant and interesting to local people.”

Markets manager Craig Rudd has already attracted new traders, with 30 recently attending, and is introducing regular themed market days.

“Delivering growth of the economy is fundamental to the success of the district, its businesses and residents,” he said.

“We realise that shoppers have greater choice in how and where to purchase the goods, food and services traditionally associated with a street market. But we are working more closely than ever before with market traders to maintain their viability and maximise their potential.”

Traders, charities or anyone considering trading from the Grantham market can get in touch with Craig via email at: craig.rudd@southkesteven.gov.uk to find out how they can get on board.

PROMOTING TOWN’S HERITAGE
The town recently appointed a new engagement manager, Mel Brown, and she is also on a mission to raise Grantham’s profile.

Working within SKDC’s economic development team, Mel has a background in operations and business development, event production and planning. She previously worked with St Wulfram’s Church as an operations and development manager.

In her new ambassadorial role, Mel is backing up the hard infrastructure regeneration work supported by the Future High Streets and Heritage Action Zone funding. Her work will see her promoting Grantham internally and externally, building a Town Team stakeholder group and identifying initiatives, activities and town centre events.

She is working closely with the Grantham Town council and Grantham Town team to help raise the town’s profile and is keen to support future projects to rediscover and celebrate the town and district links with Sir Isaac Newton.

“There is much to celebrate in Grantham, great cultural attractions and history. It’s easily accessible by road and train. We have beautiful parks and green space and a range of independent retailers,” she said.

“The town has so much potential, but there is a need to inject some positivity around the town, both externally and internally. I am looking forward to working with all stakeholders who are interested in improving Grantham for everyone who lives, works and visits here.

“I welcome the challenge and look forward to developing a comprehensive long-term plan to promote Grantham in a sustainable and realistic way.”

ACCESS UPGRADES
As we went to press, there was also further good news for Grantham, with more upgrading work underway – once again fully funded by a portion of the £4.1m of Future High Streets Fund money awarded to SKDC in 2020.

Work is underway to upgrade the approach to the town from the railway station to create a pedestrian-focused environment, by making it more attractive and welcoming to commuters and other travellers.

Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for highways, Councillor Richard Davies said: “Similar to the works to Grantham Market Place, we are the delivery partner for another set of South Kesteven District Council roadworks in Grantham – at the Station Road/A607 junction.

“As part of these, we’ll be resurfacing and carrying out pedestrian facility upgrades at Harlaxton Road, Wharf Road, Westgate and Sankt Augustin Way, upgrading the existing traffic signals and jet-washing the footpath on the north side of Wharf Road onto the southernmost part of Westgate.”

The work, which started in mid-August, is expected to last for up to three-and-a-half months. The roadworks will be carried out in five phases (all dates are subject to suitable weather and other unforeseen circumstances on site). For more information on this project readers can visit: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects

NEW FOOD HUB
The past couple of months have also seen more good news for the town, particularly for families who have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis, thanks to the arrival of a new food operation.

Families have been flocking to this new, affordable food hub which is providing low-income communities with healthy groceries and other support.

With the capacity to serve 80 members, The Bread and Butter Thing’s (TBBT) West Grantham food hub – the third launched in South Kesteven District, following sister operations in Stamford and Market Deeping – has got off to a flying start. The hub had already attracted 40 when we went to press, along with 24 volunteers.

Funded by South District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Comic Relief, the new hub operates out of West Grantham Community Centre.

SKDC cabinet member for people and communities, Cllr Rhea Rsyside said: “We are committed to supporting anyone who’s struggling in South Kesteven so it’s great to be working with The Bread and Butter Thing on the charity’s latest hub.

“If you’re looking for fresh, healthy, food that eases the strain on the purse strings, we urge you to come and check out any of their food hubs. We are very fortunate to have them here at a time when so many families are struggling.”

TBBT chief executive, Mark Game said: “We’re delighted to be working with SKDC again and expanding our Lincolnshire offering. We’re all about helping food budgets go further by providing our members with nutritious food that doesn’t break the bank.

“We’re on a mission to make sure everyone has access to great food, to improve diets, strengthen struggling communities and help people save money. Our members tell us they can save up to £35 a week by shopping with us, which frees up budget for other household priorities.”

Members, who go along to TBBT’s weekly hubs, can collect three bags of fruit and vegetables, chilled food and cupboard staples at discounted prices, to feed their families and improve their diets, whilst saving money for other household needs.

Users pay £5 for a single bag, £8.50 for a three-bag family package or £17 for a large family package of six bags.

There are no joining criteria. Anyone interested in using TBBT’s affordable food club just needs to register as a member. They can do this by texting 07860 063304 with their name, postcode and by indicating the hub they would like to join – in this case West Grantham.

Once registered, members receive a weekly text offering the food service which they can then collect from their hub every week.

SKILLS TRANSFERRED
Local companies are being urged to take a leaf out of South Kesteven District Council’s book – by recruiting ex-military personnel.

The district, whose area includes Grantham, has taken on 16 former Armed Forces members, mainly from the Army and they are now at work with the authority’s waste and recycling and Street Scene teams.

These employees have transferred valuable skills developed while serving with the Royal Logistics Corps, Infantry regiments, Royal Anglian Regiment and the Armoured Corps.

Others have served with the RAF and RAF Regiment, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and the Household Cavalry and they been on tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland.

Two members of the council’s keen-eyed and effective CCTV team are also ex-Army, having served with the Royal Artillery and the Grenadier Guards, while SKDC’s head of economic development is from an Armed Forces background.

Cameron Greene uses service skills developed with the Army’s Royal Engineers to manage the authority’s Street Scene operation.

“We now have nine ex-military on the Street Scene team, all dedicated to getting the job done, as they used to do for the Armed Forces,” he said. “In many ways the council suits those who have served in the military. There is a clearly defined structure, opportunities to progress and a great team spirit.”

Waste team HGV driver, Cheryl Miller, served with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. “I drove Land Rovers, armoured personnel vehicles and Bedford four-tonners. I have always been a driver and have been able to transfer those skills.”

Cheryl initially gained her HGV licence to drive her family’s American motorhome and joined SKDC during the Covid pandemic.

“My husband had an accident and I needed to work. The council needed drivers. I applied and I love the job.”

SKDC’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Richard Dixon-Warren said: “As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and holders of the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme, we are extremely proud to have so many military veterans working for the council.

“I would urge any company looking to recruit at any level to take a close look at employing ex-services personnel. There are really helpful employment websites supporting any company or organisation that signs the Armed Forces Covenant as a pledge to support defence.”

Employers can also claim National Insurance contributions relief, if they employ a veteran in their first year post-service.

CAN YOU HELP?
An award-winning social enterprise is on a mission to raise more funds for its work in supporting parents with disabled children.

Grantham Disabled Children Society (GDCS), formerly Grantham Deaf Children Society), renamed itself in 2013 to open it up to all disabled children. Now 67 families are on its books from the Grantham, Sleaford and Stamford area, but it wants to welcome more. However, the society faces several challenges. It receives no funding from local or central Government and has no established premises.

This means every penny it receives from fundraising activities or donations is ploughed backed into the society, which relies on local businesses allowing it to hold group sessions at its premises.

Spokesperson Darryl Blair said: “One of our main aims is to offer support to family members, both parents and siblings, to ensure that they don’t feel socially excluded and they can live a happy life. We are trying to raise awareness of children with hidden disabilities, for instance autism. When a child is having a meltdown, most people assume they are misbehaving, but in fact that child is craving some sort of sensory input.”

Mr Blair said that disabled toilets are not geared up for disabled youngsters who need to be laid down to have their pads changed. A bed would help in these situations. GDCS signposts parents to help with benefits, education, health and care plans. It also arranges events, including trips out.

Mr Blair is encouraging would-be members to get in touch, and potentially help with fundraising efforts.

GDCS has also signed up to LotterySK. People can join in by visiting www.lotterysk.co.uk and searching for Grantham Disabled Children’s Society. GDSC will receive 50p for every £1 spent.

“We are hoping to get GDCS registered as a charity and we would like to have some premises where we could operate a Hub for SEN families, possibly with sensory rooms. We are also looking for someone to help create a website so that we can reach more people,” he added.

Darry Blair can be contacted via email at: darrylblair@hotmail.co.uk

STRIKE UP THE BAND
If you love military band music, there’s a real treat coming to Grantham on Friday 25th October. Another popular concert, raising funds for The Army Benevolent Fund, is scheduled to take place in the town’s famous St Wulfram’s Church.

This musical extravaganza will feature stirring music from The Band of the Welsh Guards, special speakers and songs from 1940s singer Melody Flyte. Together they will create an unmissable evening of commemoration and reflection to mark the 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

Tickets cost £22, with children and young people under the age of 16 going free, available from the Guildhall Arts Centre, call 01476 406158 or visit the website at www.guildhallartscentre.com

Photographs: Mick Fox

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