Lincoln – a magnet for new investment

The city’s star is on the rise as it continues to diversify in its drive to create an irresistible mix of shopping, eating out and leisure options to underpin further growth. By Glynis Fox.

Despite economic uncertainties, Lincoln remains a magnet for new investment. Its power to attract new names is evident when you walk the streets and note the arrival of major brands, which have brought the gift of more jobs with them.

Niche independents are also changing the face of the city. While it is true that some smaller players have decided to call it a day, others are just starting out.

Enthusiastic entrepreneurs include those who chose Lincoln for their university or other higher education provision and, during their time studying, have also decided it is the ideal place in which to launch a fledgling venture.

Exciting regeneration projects – focused on boosting sustainability, supercharging long-term economic and productivity growth – are also playing a key role in helping Lincoln to raise its game and grow in prominence.

The non-stop arrival of new bars, restaurants and gaming centres, together with events designed to appeal to locals and tourists, are contributing to a real buzz. Together, they are creating a fresh lively ambience as the city warms up for what everyone hopes will be a sparkling festive season for revellers of all ages – and get those business tills ringing.

Equally as important as Lincoln’s newest arrivals, is the exciting raft of projects now underway thanks to Lincoln’s success in winning funding through the Government’s Towns Fund.

In autumn 2019, the Government invited 101 locations, including Lincoln, to develop proposals for a Town Deal as part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund. It is all about driving sustainable economic regeneration to produce long-term economic productivity and growth.

The multi-agency Lincoln Town Fund Board – Be Lincoln – submitted plans to bid for about £25m over five years. The City of Lincoln Council was subsequently awarded £19bn at the end of March 2020 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to make 13 projects a reality.

Work is already underway on many schemes designed to tackle challenges in a city often seen to lag behind the rest of the UK. The investment plans recognise that low skills, wages, health inequalities and deprivation remain factors and highlight that the benefits of investment have not touched some communities.

A MODERN MARKET
Initiatives underway include the revamp, restore and repurposing of Lincoln’s Grade II Listed Central Market building. The idea is to create a modern and diverse market which brings together retail, food, leisure and technology in a scheme which will see it become an “anchor destination” with the Cornhill Quarter.

This part of Lincoln is attracting more footfall as a prime leisure and shopping area. It is handily served by the city’s Transport Hub and conveniently close to the St Mary’s Street railway station. Both are perfectly placed for visiting shoppers and sightseers.

The Cornhill Quarter has proved a real temptation for many contemporary brands such as Whistles, Seasalt, The Botanist and Cosy Club (to name but a few), along with independents such as 200 Degrees Coffee and Trent Galleries. It also boasts an Everyman Cinema.

St Mary’s Street is also benefiting from further activity. Lincoln’s former Barbican Hotel is being redeveloped and emerging with a new identity as the Barbican Production & Maker Hub for the creative industries.

It will provide an incubation and clustering hub for creative businesses and allow a creative business network to be established, but the centre will also be used for educational activities and allow communities to access production space, a gallery and a café.

Another exciting project will breathe new life into Greyfriars – an internationally important listed building which dates back to the 13th century. Historically it has been a friary, a wool factory, a mechanics’ institute and a museum, but it closed to the public in 2004.

Now in desperate need of repair, the City of Lincoln Council wants to turn the Broadgate building into a café and heritage space. Plans show the ground floor being transformed into a café/restaurant with the main entrance to the west from Free School Lane.

A two-storey extension will allow people to visit a multi-use educational area on the first floor. The “reborn” attraction would feature a mix of digital and tactile interpretation schemes, temporary exhibitions and host events.

Meanwhile, traders in the Bailgate and Uphill areas of the city are looking forward to their busiest time of the year, when thousands of people – many discovering the world famous Lincoln Cathedral and Castle for the first time – visit the city’s unmissable Christmas Market.

CREATING AND SUPPORTING THE BUZZ
Shops, pubs, bars and leisure businesses are supported by Lincoln BIG and Visit Lincoln and staff working for both organisations are unstinting in their efforts to ensure the city is the “first choice” for lovers of retail therapy, historic buildings and great events – which make for great family outings.

Both also acknowledge that getting Lincoln better known – in the UK and worldwide – requires more than coming up with bright ideas and initiatives. However, recognising Lincoln’s growing success underpins their determination.

Lincoln BIG is the city’s Business Improvement Group and one of the country’s busy BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) – and the organisation behind the city’s popular Barons, Knights and Lincoln Imp trails.

It also offers advice, street cleaning, security schemes and funding for licensing accreditation.
Lincoln BIG operations manager Lee Roberts said: “Lincoln is certainly continuing to grow and is attracting an increasing number of new brands, investment and jobs creators.

“In turn, these are helping to bring in more shoppers, leisure-seekers and tourists as well as increasing the offer to residents in and around the city.

“We are delighted to be at the heart of initiatives which aim to support our levy-paying businesses and assist them to reap the benefits of this extra footfall! We will continue to work with city partners to continue to look at ways to keep Lincoln as one of the top cities to live, visit and do business in.”

Lincoln BIG is behind the ‘Piecing Us Together Trail’, which features 40 individual jigsaw pieces especially designed for the businesses involved by artist Mel Langton. The pieces have been placed in businesses for families to find (between 22nd Oct and 6th Nov) and the final design, containing all 40 pieces, will then be displayed in the city.

Lincoln Creates grants of between £500 and £5,000 are helping artists and businesses to devise projects designed to make the city a more attractive place to live, work in and visit.

The project is ongoing. A giant pair (approximately 8ft) of denim jeans is being produced by artist Kerry Gibson highlighting sustainability and the repurposing of fashion industry materials.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAIL
Areas within the city will be adorned with illuminated Christmas structures designed to boost Lincoln’s festive lights offer. Areas to be featured include the city’s Transport Hub, Brayford Viewing Platform, St Paul in The Bail and The Cornhill. Lincoln BIG is also adding solar-powered Christmas trees to the lampposts along the High Street. In support of the City of Lincoln Council’s new Christmas Market mascot Bailey Bear BIG is producing window vinyls of the mascot for businesses’ windows.

Other festivities include Glimpse the Imp, a Shop Window Dressing Competition and a Digital Advent Calendar. Radios will also be provided for some businesses and organisations over the Christmas Market.

The world-famous Lincoln Christmas Market will run from 1st-4th December, boast more than 250 stalls and is expected to pull in thousands of visitors once again.

PIONEERING VICTORIAN UNVEILE
Pioneering Victorian mathematician George Boole is celebrated for his 19th-century work which paved the way for 21st-century smartphones – now an impressive statue of him has been unveiled in his home city.

The conversation piece, comprising the figure of Boole tutoring a boy and a girl, stands proudly in the paved area in front of the city’s St Mary’s Street railway station.

Boole, born in Silver Street in 1815, and often referred to as the grandfather of the digital age, is known for devising Boolean logic – the invention the modern computer code is based on.

At the age of 19, Boole opened his own school in Free School Lane and in 1840 went on to launch a boarding school in Pottergate.

Antony Dufort’s six-foot bronze sculpture, which shows Boole holding a book carrying the name Logic, was unveiled thanks to the Heslam Trust which buys art for public display. The impressive work of art cost more than £300,000 and was funded by the Trust, along with the City of Lincoln Council, Network Rail and East Midlands Railway.

Boole is recognised as a brilliant teacher whilst he was in the city. The sculptures show him talking to a boy and a girl in the 1940s – at a time when girls did not regularly attend school.

PUTTING SPARKLE BACK INTO YOUR KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
According to Turnbull’s team of expert designers, when planning your ideal kitchen and bathroom, “the devil is in the detail”, but with so many choices, how do you avoid it becoming a nightmare?

Designing a new kitchen or bathroom doesn’t have to be scary thanks to Turnbull’s dedicated team who always go the extra mile in helping to add fire and sparkle to your design dream so you can be sure that you’ll enjoy every creature comfort.

Make the most of Turnbull’s personalised and fright-free service which helps you breathe new life into your home with inspirational ideas, designs to suit all tastes, as well as technical advice such as improving your living and working space and much more.

With more than 40 years’ experience, Turnbull has earned a well deserved reputation as a long established family-run business, whose many loyal customers remain dedicated to buying local and supporting a trusted brand with a reputation for delivering on both quality and service.

The professional Turnbull designers pride themselves on getting the best results for customers and don’t work on commission, so you can relax knowing that design service is tailored to reflect each individual home, taste and lifestyle.

With over 7000 sq. ft. of displays over two floors at the Lincoln Kitchens and Bathrooms Showroom which is situated just off Deacon Road, you will find displays, offering Europe’s leading suppliers such as Neff, Quooker, Duravit, and Burlington, plus many brands exclusive to Turnbull.

Turnbull also provides free hyper-realistic 3D renders of a space to customers before they buy.

Book an appointment online or enjoy a visit to the award-winning showroom in person and speak to a dedicated designer. You can also head to the website for inspiration and to see previous work.

Turnbull Kitchens & Bathrooms, Deacon Road, Lincoln LN2 4JB. Tel: 01522 214366, www.turnbull.co.uk/showrooms

VIRTUALLY GOLF OFFERS SPORTING FUN FOR ALL
Launched earlier this year, Virtually Golf is a state-of-the-art, family-friendly entertainment venue based in Lincoln’s Brayford Wharf, offering the latest in sport gaming simulator technology, ideal for all skill levels and ages.

This exciting social interactive concept allows sports such as golf and football to be played in a virtual environment, while golfers can also enjoy a round on some of the most famous courses in the world from the comfort and convenience of a modern indoor hospitality environment.

Popular with all generations is VG’s programme ‘Carnival’ where players can take a step into a modern fun fairground world where they are challenged to take part in bowling, darts, balloon pop, plus a variety of other stimulating games.

Ideal for large group events, corporate hospitality, weddings, children’s parties or a family day out with a difference, Virtually Golf enables visitors to access and enjoy golf in a way they might not have done before, providing entertainment, education and an all-inclusive experience while also ensuring that golf at grassroots is opened up for everyone to enjoy.

For more information visit www.virtuallygolf.co.uk

GET THE PERFECT NIGHT’S SLEEP WITH THE HELP OF FORTY WINKS
Forty Winks have been established for 15 years. They are a local Lincolnshire family business. From working in the shop, to doing the accounts and even delivering your local purchases, everyone who works at Forty Winks is a family member.

Their customer service sets them apart from the rest, offering a complete start to finish, first class service. Choose from an excellent selection of high quality products in the warm and friendly showroom, where you are encouraged to try the mattresses, and take your time to find the perfect bed or product for you.

Their complete customer service to you continues through their quality delivery service, where their delivery personnel are so good they even take their shoes off!

The team will take your items to the room of your choice, and assemble if required. They also offer an old bed disposal service.

Visit Forty Winks at 100 Burton Road, Lincoln or visit www.fortywinkz.co.uk

RISEHOLME COLLEGE ENHANCES ITS PRACTICAL, HANDS-ON LEARNING
Riseholme College, near Lincoln, has expanded both its facilities and courses to ensure that students have access to the best specialist, technical education.

Known for its experience in land-based subjects, Riseholme offers those studying agriculture, engineering, animal management and equine access to a raft of state-of-the-art facilities, including:
• A centre for agri-food technology (part of the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology collaboration), with a range of robotics and precision technology equipment
• Agri-tech health and nutrition centre
• Expanded animal management unit which is home to a wide range of species
• An equine centre with indoor and outdoor arenas and a rider performance suite

Did you know that there’s more to Riseholme than just land-based subjects?

A sports and health centre complete with a gym and 3G pitch, dedicated laboratories and professional kitchens means that the college now offers courses in applied science, professional cookery, sport, T Level in education and childcare and much more.

Students studying at college (16+) and degree (18+) level work with experienced lecturers to develop their theoretical knowledge and practical skills through hands-on learning, ensuring that they are ready for work or a higher level of study.

To discover what Riseholme has to offer, visit www.riseholme.ac.uk/openevents and register for an upcoming taster session.

LINCOLN PRINT & COPY CENTRE PROVIDES SPECIALIST SOLUTIONS
If you’re looking for expert print, design, copy and scanning services to help promote your business, the helpful team at Lincoln Print & Copy Centre will help advise and guide you.

As specialists in digital printing this highly skilled team pride themselves on offering a personalised and affordable service for a variety of professional and private clients, including schools, churches and community groups.

Situated on Stonefield Park Industrial Estate, with easy, free parking outside, the centre offers a wide variety of printers and print finishing equipment to produce leaflets, booklets, NCR pads, folders and brochures, as well as posters and plan prints, in addition to graphic design services to suit all requirements and budgets.

As an Ordnance Survey Map Data Centre, the centre also provides maps for planning applications, as well as historic and area maps from the Ordnance Survey archive.

“There is no job too big or small, so if you are not sure if it can be done, get in touch and we are always happy to help.”

For more information visit www.lincolncopycentre.co.uk

MAKING MEMORIES AT CANWICK HOUSE
At CanwickHouse Care Home near Lincoln, residents enjoy reminiscing about memorable times at the home as they enjoy afternoon tea and cupcakes and share some of their stories:
“Listening to the melodies of the harp, the beauty of the sounds, right before our very eyes in our lounge, mesmerised and emotional. I was totally at peace!” says Joyce.

‘’Having entertainment through such difficult times, it’s just been wonderful. Andy played beautiful jazz songs and we watched and listened from the dining room. Andy played in the garden for the whole village to enjoy! Soothing sounds indeed”, says Joan.

“It was like a good old knees-up! Folk songs with the Lincoln Ukulele Band, clapping, singing and giggles. Catherine has already invited them back!” says Eileen.

Canwick House Care Home thrives on sharing precious moments, celebrating life and enjoying activity and entertainment. As a small family care home located in the serene village of Canwick, 30 years’ experience of care and compassion creates a homely yet professional care setting.

Catherine Paul says: “Our home is peaceful and harmonious and we warmly welcome any prospective resident/family to visit us, meet our outstanding team and discuss how we can help. Please come and visit us at Canwick House Care Home.”

Tel: 01522 522275 or visit www.canwickhouse.com

Photographs: Mick Fox

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