Creating opportunities for new businesses

Optimism is growing in several quarters of Gainsborough as work continues to breathe extra vitality into the town, as Glynis Fox discovers.
2018 is poised to be a big year for the town centre with some exciting changes ahead.

In November work started on the new town centre regeneration scheme which will see the transformation of the former Sun Inn site and the delivery of a new 56-bedroom Travelodge Hotel.

The development is expected to be completed by Christmas 2018 and will also bring a brand-new concept in casual Italian dining to Gainsborough, with the region’s first Ponti’s Italian Kitchen which will be on the ground floor of the new hotel development.

Dransfield Properties and West Lindsey District Council are working together to transform this part of the town and the new hotel and restaurant are key ingredients of the plans.

The project will also create an attractive alfresco dining area and water wall feature inspired by Paley Park in New York. It also includes a joint venture partnership with the local authority to refurbish town centre shops, creating a new Independent Quarter in the town as well as improvements to the Roseway Car Park.

An additional 30 town centre car parking spaces will be created and the areas will be transformed into a welcoming arrival point.

The striking Edwardian style hotel and restaurant will have entrances from Market Street as well as the Roseway Car Park.

The development has been designed by the architectural team that worked on the Marshall’s Yard project – the successful town centre scheme celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and continues to go from strength to strength.

The latest company to join the growing line up at Marshall’s Yard is the high-end fashion and jewellery retailer Coe & Co which opened just before Christmas in a 1,020 sq ft unit which can be found next door to Vision Express. The Cornish women’s wear brand Seasalt also celebrated the Gainsborough store’s first birthday in December.

Communications director at Dransfield Properties, Amanda Holmes, said: “We had a great year during 2017 with a number of events throughout the year to celebrate the first birthday of Marshall’s Yard.

“We are delighted that our company is now further investing in Gainsborough and working with the local authority on this exciting new project for the town centre.

“It is fantastic to see the transformation underway and the hotel development starting to take shape as well as other investment in the town including the new Lidl store which has recently opened.

“There has been a great deal of positive change and investment in the town since Marshall’s Yard opened and we are looking forward to launching our new development in the town later in the year.”

This optimism in Gainsborough’s future is shared by Steve Gelder, CEO of the Sturton by Stow-based Gelder Group, a multi-award winning construction company that works across a range of sectors including health, education, retail and leisure.

Mr Gelder, along with several other leading members of the business community in and around Gainsborough, including those representing Ping, Wright Vigar, the Town Council and AMP Rose, have been playing an active role in Invest Gainsborough – an initiative together with West Lindsey District Council which is designed to bring growth and investment to the town and set it on a firm footing to a successful future.

“We have been meeting regularly for the past 18 months with the aim of bringing vibrancy to the town,” he said.

“One of our goals is to make Gainsborough the best place in the country to start up a new business. We are looking to make this as easy as possible for budding entrepreneurs, by offering incentives such as less expensive rents on business premises, more affordable business rates and easy access to sound business advice.

“We believe the positive conversations we have been having can lead to these initiatives becoming a reality.

“Already we have seen the introduction of beer and place mats in various outlets around the town bearing interesting factoids about Gainsborough. These include the fact that King Henry VIII and King Richard III both stayed at Gainsborough Old Hall and also, when Manchester United football team was first formed, its first ever match was against Gainsborough Trinity, which has a rich history in the football league.

“We have already held several events placing a positive slant on Gainsborough and its future and we feel our ideas are gathering momentum.”

Invest Gainsborough has major growth ambitions and is working towards creating improved education, improved services and a better quality of life for those who live and work in the area.

Another Gainsborough business going from strength to strength is Eminox which is working at the forefront of technology to produce exhaust systems which greatly reduce polluting emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

Eminox is currently one of the firms working with Transport for London to cut pollution in the capital by replacing exhaust systems on its public transport.

IT’S A FAMILY THING
As well as being the founder of DCP, Darron Childs has been a longstanding champion of community activities.

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of The Delvers local history Blue Plaque Trail which celebrates local faces and places connected to Gainsborough, and a commemorative book is being written to help promote the work of The Delvers.

Darron remains passionate about connecting history to the world we live in today, to help understand and appreciate locally inspired life changing events from yesteryear, which we can often take for granted.

This passion is expressed through exclusive events held at The Lindens, the former Dower House at Lea, which Darron helped save and restore, winning a Heritage Angel award in the process.

Over the last few years The Darron Childs Practice & Friends, supported by the extended DCP family, have raised thousands of pounds for local and national charities involving a diverse range of sponsored activities such as skydiving, the Ten Tors challenge, and a Jurassic Coastline walk.

More recently DCP has helped champion community sport, teaming up with Gainsborough Trinity with events at Gainsborough’s Thonock Golf Course, which boosts community fundraising for Gainsborough Trinity FC.

www.darronchildspractice.co.uk

NEW YEAR NEW BED
Investing in a new bed can help improve your quality of rest and your health. The dilemma is which style to choose next. Visiting Beds Direct Warehouse, an independent, family owned business, will ensure you receive not only expert advice but also quality of service from initial enquiry to first night’s sleep in your new bed.

Beds Direct Warehouse is celebrating its 13th anniversary this year. Owners Jane and Lee have built an excellent reputation for their specialist knowledge and an outstanding range of beds, mattresses, lounge and dining furniture.

Whether you are thinking of purchasing a divan, wooden or metal frame, sofa bed, children’s bed, TV bed or storage beds, you will find a wide range including memory foam, pocket sprung and orthopaedic mattresses to achieve your ideal night’s rest.

The family pride themselves on their personal service which includes free delivery and payment plans; their daughter has even been known to help with the deliveries. Customers appreciate the consistency of speaking to the same member of staff throughout their purchase. Visit Beds Direct Warehouse before the end of March and mention Lincolnshire Life to receive 10% discount on your order.

www.bedsdirectwarehouse.co.uk

THE PREMIER PLACE TO MEET AND EAT IN GAINSBOROUGH
Stylish and contemporary, the Clock House Coffee House and Eatery has been created to offer a perfect location for a relaxed rendezvous with friends, for light snack and refreshments or a venue for a special occasion celebration.

Located on Lord Street, the Clock House offers great tasting coffees, teas to inspire your taste buds, a great selection of wines and beers as well as cocktails to add a zing to your evening.

Owners Judy and Greg Whitehorne refurbished the former Rechabite Hall, combining natural wood finishes and exposed brickwork with luxurious upholstery, textiles and accessories. Their management team of Charly Proctor at front of house and chef Lewis Platts have shared their vision of serving outstanding locally sourced and freshly prepared food in a convivial café by day and bistro by night setting.

The daytime menus offer appetising breakfasts, light bite options and delicious afternoon teas. After dark there is live music, themed events such as tapas evenings as well as cheese and wine tastings.

If you have not visited before, be sure to make your next stop in Gainsborough at The Clock House and be sure to talk to them first if you are planning a special, private hire celebration.

BENEFITS OF VILLAGE LIFE
Situated just north of Gainsborough, in the pleasant village of East Stockwith on the banks of the River Trent, Grosvenor House Care Home enjoys all the benefits of village life including regular outings to the superb village pub.

The home offers some of the best accommodation that you can find anywhere in the county.

If you are needing either short or long-term care, it would be time well spent just seeing for yourself, this beautiful home and the great care that the home’s residents enjoy.

Their short-term stay bed can be booked throughout the year for people who just need a little respite or holiday care. It is also an ideal opportunity to try the home first.

For more information visit www.grosvenorcare.co.uk or call Barbara Bussey on 01427 616950

CELEBRATION YEAR
Walters Opticians are an independent family business established in January 1998 by Roy and Anna Walters.

They reached their 20th anniversary milestone on 2nd January and in those twenty years the Practice has grown dramatically with the opening of a second practice in North Hykeham in 2006.

2018 will be a huge year for Walters Opticians. They plan on celebrating for the whole year starting with an open evening on 26th January, with fizz, nibbles and cake!

Walters Opticians will also be launching a full year of celebratory offers and competitions with a fresh offer every month. Keep an eye on their social media and print adverts where each offer will be publicised.

At Walters Opticians you will find in stock one of the largest selections of eyewear around, including a vast selection of designer frames and sunglasses, along with their in-house contact lens specialist offering many contact lens options to suit most individuals.

Walters Opticians would like to thank all of their past, present and future patients and customers and look forward to celebrating with you all this year!

GIFTS THEY WILL LOVE TO RECEIVE
Just a short walk from Marshall’s Yard on North Street you will find a gem of a gift shop. Jasmine Tree Gifts is stocked with unique and original pieces for your home, lifestyle and for those special people in your life.

Owner Linda Mears prides herself in sourcing original and inspiring ideas to make your gift giving that bit easier. Linda and her staff are always on hand to help with suggestions and attentive customer service. The shop is located in an elegant Victorian showroom – a perfect backdrop for the collections of high quality yet affordable gifts on display.

For weddings this year, Broadlands Pottery handmade ceramic hearts and letters make a lasting present when given with personalised initials. They make a special engagement or Valentine’s Day gift too.

For the home, deliciously scented Harrogate Candles or beautiful Lampe Berger burners which purify and perfume the air add that element of luxury and relaxation during the winter months.

A popular gift for all ages is a Fair Trade Fairy. Collectable and adorable, they each come with a blessing and verse which expresses your wish for the recipient.

Jasmine Tree Gifts is an Aladdin’s Cave of delightful giftware, attractive textiles, jewellery and ceramics. Call in today to discover more.

MEDIEVAL MASTERPIECE
Gainsborough Old Hall has a long history of attracting visitors to Gainsborough. The Hall is more than 500 years old and is one of the best preserved manor houses in England. Built in 1460 by Sir Thomas Burgh, the Hall offers an exciting visitor experience with a variety of events and exhibitions.

Last year Gainsborough Old Hall played host to an exhibition of costumes used in the television production of Wolf Hall, the dramatisation of the best-selling novel by award-winning novelist Hilary Mantel.

This year the Hall hopes to replicate the success of that exhibition with another highly anticipated exhibition, which is being kept under wraps until plans have been finalised.

Gainsborough Old Hall also has an award-winning schools’ education programme. Young visitors are now given iGuides, where a friendly ghost takes them on a tour of the house outlining all the amazing facts about this fascinating building.

There are also dressing up boxes scattered around so that the children can get actively involved and gain greater enjoyment out of the visitor experience. iGuides are also available for adults.

2020 is earmarked for the Mayflower 400 celebrations and it is anticipated that up to 20,000 visitors, mostly from the USA, could flock to the town to trace their ancestors’ heritage.

The Mayflower was the name of the ship in which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from England to escape religious persecution. Lincolnshire has a significant place in the Pilgrim Fathers’ history with Gainsborough Old Hall offering a place of sanctuary and worship for the Puritans.

It is expected that not only Gainsborough will see a huge rise in visitor numbers during the Mayflower 400 celebrations but also places like Haxey, Glentham and, of course, the town of Boston which has long associations with the Pilgrim Fathers story.

VISITING THE TRACKS
Gainsborough Model Railway also offers a unique experience to those visiting the town.

This volunteer-led attraction has drawn visitors from as far afield as Plymouth in the past.

The Model Railway, which can be found in Florence Street, is unique in the fact that the railway runs on O Gauge with 99 per cent of the models built by hand.

This year the Model Railway will be open to visitors from Easter and throughout the summer months on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, but this year it will close half an hour earlier at 4.30pm.

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF
Hemswell Antique Centres brings together Europe’s largest selection of dealers who can offer you the widest possible range of antique furniture and vintage collectables.

Set in beautiful rural Lincolnshire UK, just a few miles from the historic Cathedral City of Lincoln, Hemswell Antique Centres is the ideal venue for a wonderful day out! Once part of RAF Hemswell – the home of the Lancaster Bomber during the Second World War – the centres now offer a wonderful mix of items from bygone times.

Get away from it all and spend the day exploring the maze of rooms in each of the four buildings which feature an unrivalled choice of beautiful high-quality goods. Around 400 dealer display areas will keep you enthralled for hours.

The centres regularly feature on the popular television programme Bargain Hunt.

You’ll find that there’s so much to see but remember it’s not all hard work! Take time to relax and sample the homemade delights made from locally sourced produce in their licensed coffee shop, found in Building One or a smaller coffee shop in The Guardroom. There’s an extensive menu to choose from with hot and cold refreshments available throughout the day. If you would like to book in a coach party, Hemswell Antique Centres are members of the CDC, so please do not hesitate to contact them for a warm welcome.

Open 7 days a week, 10am until 5pm. Their website is updated daily with fresh pieces and contains over 3,000 antique items for sale. Purchase online and have delivered directly to your door. Find that perfect unique item you won’t find on the High Street.

01427 668389
enquiries@hemswell-antiques.com
www.hemswell-antiques.com

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