Sleaford set for change

Glynis Fox explores this historic market town where a series of new initiatives are being put in place.

Major plans to upgrade the town’s Market Place have dominated the local news channels over the past few months but don’t be distracted – there’s much more to talk about when it comes to this popular market town.

Work got underway on the £1 million scheme as we went to press, but the work is not expected to be finished until mid-December. This has left some businesses in the area with mixed feelings, with some fearing a fall-off in trade, but others remaining positive and hopeful that local and visiting shoppers will continue to support them.

So, what does the work entail? The area’s closure as a car park came into force as we went to press, and contractors looked to repave the Market Place with sandstone setts designed to better its historic surroundings.

Two raised planters are being used to provide greenery shade – with three hardwood benches within their design – and seven more benches around its perimeter.

The scheme will include the up-lighting of the war memorial and the bollards protecting it are being kept, with resin-bound gravel used to highlight the area around it. The hut is going and new lighting and cycle hoops are being put in place.

When the Market Place reopens, time limited Blue Badge Holder parking will be available to drivers three days a week and there will also be pre-arranged access for church events and services.

North Kesteven District Council believes that market traders will benefit from trading in an area which is free of moving vehicles, which will give shoppers more confidence and potentially allow space for more potential stallholders.

SHOPS AND MORE
Aside from this area, the town is home to a wide variety of shops, eateries, businesses providing all manner of essential services, places to explore and activities to enjoy and money is being invested to improve the local environment and make it more inviting for both locals and visitors.

If you love shopping, you will find branches of well-known stores and a wide variety of independent traders and supermarkets. There are good schools, green spaces and the town is also where you’ll find The Hub – a major draw for anyone who loves creative and artistic displays and fabulous gifts.

Take time to discover some of Sleaford’s niche areas. In the Bristol Arcade you will come across The Beautiful Gift Shop, where you can choose from a vast array of handmade presents, and Treasure Trove, where you may find something that is perfect for your home.

There are more independent enterprises in Millstream Square, where businesses include The Hutch Shop, where you can find special treats for your pets and, beware: you are unlikely to be able to resist popping into Emily’s Bakehouse!

The Riverside Shopping Centre is another development worth checking out. It is where you will find the Community Grocery Store, which is doing a fantastic job of helping to cut food waste and also supporting people in need through the provision of innovative services.

BOOST FOR LANDMARK BUILDINGS
Earlier this year, NKDC used £1 million of business rates, kept for use locally, to buy The Carre Arms Hotel. That move secured jobs and councillors agreed the deal provided significant advantages for the community.

The Council’s ownership of the hotel, which is one of only two locally with more than 10 rooms, is in line with the authority’s ambitions to boost the local visitor economy. It also protects a historic landmark building, provides opportunities to enhance its viability and holds the promise of generating profits which support wider council services.

The Carre Arms continues to be run as a pub, restaurant, hotel and conference and events centre (through an arms-length company) and is reported to have seen a rise in its popularity and bookings.
Sleaford’s landmark Handley Monument has benefited from the installation of new up-lighting to highlight its architectural features and position in the town and welcoming people as they enter via Southgate.

Phase two of this work aims to improve the space around the monument – with new benches and planters retaining the two existing trees. An information board is also promised later this year.

Money has been spent on improving and increasing CCTV coverage around the town centre, so that everyone can enjoy the town safely.

Four new camera units have been installed at Eastgate Green, Station Road, near the pedestrian crossing in Southgate and at the Market Place. These have been funded with £17,500 from UK Shared Prosperity Fund money secured by the council. The locations were chosen following assessments being undertaken and crime data being monitored.

An additional £58,000 in funding was won following a Safer Streets programme bid – made jointly by Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the District Council – to tackle crime and keep communities safe by upgrading the existing seven CCTV units in the town centre.

This move means these camera units now use the latest technology, in addition to using four cameras per unit, rather than one in each, as previously.

Six more grants have recently been approved for the Sleaford Shopfront Grant Scheme. Now a total of £363,000 has been distributed across 12 projects allowing for repair and reinstatement of historic properties in Sleaford’s conservation area.

Work carried out includes the fitting of replacement windows and brickwork repairs at the sandwich bar and coffee shop Appetites, and the restoration of the coat of arms on the Southgate entrance to the Bristol Arcade.

The fund of £150,000 was increased by popular demand. The grants have met up to 90 per cent of the total cost of the work done. The fund has now been fully allocated and all work has to be finished by January 2025.

Around £21,000 in Small Business Grants has been distributed across North Kesteven by the local authority. The support for micro-enterprises comes from a total pot of £50,000.

Payments have been used to facilitate the growth and expansion of micro-businesses or help entrepreneurs who want to relocate to North Kesteven.

ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS
On the environmental front, a new mosaic dedicated to the River Slea will flow through the town’s Monument Gardens, following a refresh of the space which is due to get underway in September.

The project to renew the Gardens is being carried out by NKDC, using UKSPF money. Plans have been agreed with stakeholders, including Sleaford Town Council and Sleaford Museum (which is next to the gardens).

The work will include separating the existing flower beds into six new circular ones to create more space (retaining the trees), repaving some areas around the new planters, installing feature lighting, new seating, a brand-new flagpole and the Museum’s exterior wall and shutters and the Wyvern barrier will be repainted.

EXPLORE THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOUR
If you love colour, you’ll be in seventh heaven when you pop into illustrator Ruth Burrows’ Sleaford shop and studio.

Creatives who enjoy all forms of art are unlikely to visit the Navigation Yard outlet without leaving armed with essential paints, brushes, paper – or even an unusual gift. However, the good news is you don’t have to be a professional to benefit!

That’s because Ruth doesn’t just stock some great materials, she is eager to inspire everyone to explore various forms of art, which is why she has launched a fabulous Sketchbook Club!

“I started the club, because I work digitally on client work all day, mainly illustrating non-fiction children’s books, but I also wanted to have time to work in my sketchbook and explore new ways of making art,” she said.

“I realised there are a lot of people coming into the shop who want to experiment with different media, but don’t really know where to start. Some people want to draw and paint, but do not feel inspired. They are afraid of the first white page in their sketchbook and often have many unopened supplies which they are reluctant to use.”

However, Ruth explained that Sketchbook Club is all about the process and less about the finished artwork.

“I encourage people to experiment and try things they wouldn’t normally do, find joy in making art and to not worry if it’s not perfect. We have a lot of fun and I encourage people to share what they have done in the group. There is no right or wrong way to do anything in Sketchbook Club!” added Ruth.
Sketchbook Club boasts an easy-going, friendly atmosphere and everyone is welcome.

Ruth’s shop and studio are situated next to The Hub and she collaborated with its team for the popular Riverlight festival, hand making decorative festival flags and banners in her studio. Sketchbook Club members also had fun creating a wild display of insects. These were used to decorate an empty shop’s windows in the town’s Bristol Arcade.

PLACES TO VISIT
Sleaford boasts some great attractions if you’ve a bit of time to spare – or you could make a day of it and visit them all.

Cogglesford Watermill brings to life the sights and sounds of water-powered milling, using the River Slea to grind flour. The mill also has a gift shop, offers refreshments including ice creams and there’s even the chance to enjoy “be a miller for a day” experiences.

Sleaford Castle was built between 1123 and 1139, once entertained King Henry VIII and his wife Catherine Howard and was the subject of an archaeological dig in July 2023. The monument fell into decline in the 16th century. What remains is part of a wall in the north-east corner of the inner bailey.

Navigation House is currently home to the Uncovering Sleaford Castle exhibition, which runs until March 2025. The building also offers a fascinating glimpse into a time when the Sleaford Navigation Company made the town one of the most vibrant and wealthiest in the country.

The Hub in Eastgate hosts fabulous exhibitions and designs to discover. It’s a brilliant place to find really interesting gifts made by local and regional artists and it also boasts a lovely café serving hot and cold food.

Sleaford Museum is also worth a visit. Pop in to explore the history of the town’s past, its people and the local area through its fantastic collections and exhibitions.

NEW EXPO HELPS BUSINESSES GO GREEN
Businesses are invited to join North Kesteven District Council at their upcoming event explaining how going green can help them become more profitable and develop new markets, while also making beneficial changes for the planet and their bottom line.

‘Prosperity, Potential, Planet: Solutions for your business’ will take place on Thursday 12th September as a focussed exhibition with expert speakers and networking opportunities. The event will run from 8am until 2pm at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.

The expo aims to support local businesses on their journey to sustainability, with up to 25 businesses and organisations exhibiting in the marquee. Sustainability experts and local businesses have also been invited to share their knowledge and experiences through speaker sessions.

Reserve your free place (limited spaces) by registering at: https://ProsperityPotentialPlanet.eventbrite.com

If you are interested in exhibiting, express your interest by emailing ukspf@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Photographs: Mick Fox

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