Summer in the City

 

Lincoln is celebrating summertime in a big way – with a packed programme of events, the completion of a £1.2 million facelift in the historic Cathedral Quarter and the launch of an exciting new wi-fi project.

Words: Glynis Fox
Photographs: Eyerise Photography and Mick Fox

A warm welcome awaits tourists and locals who pop into the revamped Visitor Information Centre in Castle Hill and a new £110,000 project is starting to breathe extra vitality into the bustling Sincil Street and traditional market areas.

There’s a spirit of co-operation in the air and a fresh determination to encourage people to make more of what is on their own doorsteps, whilst ensuring that visitors are bowled over by the city’s unique blend of history, shopping and family entertainment.

Of course many, particularly business owners, are disappointed that Government cutbacks and the uncertain economic climate means that Lincoln may have to be patient when it comes to the city enjoying improved road and rail links with the rest of the UK.

But there are high hopes that Lincoln will eventually get its long-awaited and much talked about Lindongate development, which promises to transform the area around the bus station and Sincil Street, as well as ‘regular’ direct Lincoln to London trains.

But perhaps more pressing at the moment for families, is finding fun things to do which will keep everyone occupied during the school holidays.

And this is where Lincoln BIG and its partner organisations have stepped in with a fantastic range of events that are tailored to encourage families to leave their cars at home and catch the bus into the city for a great day out.

Anyone popping into City Square between 16th August and 5th September is in for a real surprise, because Lincoln BIG is bringing a bit of the coast to the heart of the city.

Look out for thirty tonnes of real seaside sand – which will be transformed into a beach where children can play with their buckets and spades while their parents chill out in deckchairs and tuck into ice creams!

An amazing programme of activities is also on the cards, including Punch and Judy, go-karting, crafts and displays. Lincoln City Football Club, The Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are among organisations getting involved.

But it’s not all happening in one place! Shoppers are being encouraged to make the most of everywhere from the St Marks Shopping Centre and the Brayford Waterfront to historic Bailgate, which has undergone an amazing £1.2 million transformation.

The Bailgate Restored Project has taken six months to complete and has involved the replacement of both the paving and carriageway with York stone and blockwork to create a look that complements the surrounding area.

Mr Outram said the Historic Lincoln Forum and Bailgate Guild were keen to see the area revamped in a way which would bring back Bailgate’s historic ambience, as the ‘jewel in Lincoln’s crown.’

“Challenges included starting work in the middle of winter, working around utility services which were laid too near the existing surface, maintaining access to premises, keeping people aware that Bailgate was open for business and managing their expectations of the project,” said Mr Outram.

But managers had succeeded in keeping open access to business premises at all times, doing the work in phases and returning full access to Bailgate, in stages.

“The end result is a ‘platform’ to set off the historic buildings in Bailgate and a revived and much-loved environment, which should give satisfaction to residents for decades to come and increase the viability of local businesses, through improved tourism,” said Mr Outram.

Bailgate Guild chairman Mark Hollingworth (Flowers by Suzanne) said: “Bailgate businesses are really looking forward to showing off their newly-revamped area to old and new customers and visitors from all over the world, who are irresistibly pulled to visit the Cathedral Quarter and experience unique shopping in magical surroundings.

“Although some traders were worried about the impact of the restoration, we feel that the short term pain has been well worth it, ensuring the longevity of the area as a special place to visit.

“We want to keep it looking good now. We are keen to protect the paving from heavy vehicles parking on the kerbs and we are working closely with the police, the County and City of Lincoln councils to implement non intrusive measures to encourage responsible parking.”

“What we have done with the small park and well at St Paul in the Bail is wonderful, as this space now provides a valuable seating area, accessible directly from the Bailgate, as well as a very smart glass top to the well, with underground lighting which further enhances the rich heritage of the area.”

Back in the heart of the city, there is excitement about a £110,000 plan to revitalise Sincil Street – an important “gateway” for visitors, especially those arriving in Lincoln by train.

The project is being masterminded by Lincoln BIG and the City of Lincoln Council – which received £52,000 from the Government – but it is still dependent upon County Council, Arts Council and European funds to make it a reality.

The ball has started rolling with grants to shopkeepers to help them to brighten up their premises and the area has also been made the city’s focal point for ‘Lincoln in Bloom.’

Sincil Street Traders’ chairman and owner of the Viva Coffee Shop, Barry Reeves said: “It is an excellent thing and about time. Anything which is designed to improve the area is good and it needed an injection of cash.

“Subsidies have come at the right time. I have had the decorators in and other businesses are doing things to improve the appearance of their premises. The uncertainty over Lindongate, a pending major redevelopment scheme in the area, has meant that traders have been reluctant to invest. They could not afford to have things done, so this help is very much appreciated,” he said.

Mr Reeves added that some Sincil Street businesses had also snapped-up the opportunity to display free hanging baskets, through Lincoln BIG, this Summer.

It has been a very busy nine months for the Business Improvement Group. Last October, traders opted in favour of Lincoln BIG continuing its work for at least another five years. The group has also taken over the management of the city’s Visitor Information Centre, which has been given a new look and souvenir range.

The centre is based in a beautiful Tudor building, Leigh-Pemberton House in Castle Hill, which is an historical attraction in itself.

Visitor services manager Michele Sims said: “We provide information and advice on where to visit, deal with public transport enquiries and much more. People can shop in the centre for local gifts and souvenirs and we feature local artists. We also have a new range of Lincoln-branded goods, which make ideal gifts.

“People can also find out about what’s on, buy tickets for local events and we also offer an accommodation booking service for local and national bookings.”

Lincoln BIG, which has also just moved from Sibthorpe House in the High Street to St Swithin’s House in St Swithin’s Square, is now offering its services and support to businesses based at the city end of Monks Road, such as Lincoln College.

Chief executive Matt Corrigan said: “There is so much happening at the moment, with our full events programme, the servicing of even more levypayers now we have an enlarged business improvement district and our efforts to make Lincoln a more vibrant city for new and long-standing traders, residents and shoppers.

“We are especially proud of our achievements in launching the ‘Wireless Lincoln’ network which is designed to benefit everyone from tourists to local people, allowing them to quickly find out about local attractions, services and events.

“Its launch ties in well with the City of Lincoln Council’s announcement of www.heritageconnectlincoln.com – an interactive and innovative website that lets people dip into Lincoln’s fascinating history from Prehistoric times through to the present day.”

This amazing site is claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK, and is the result of more than seventeen years of hard work, which has brought together colossal amounts of information about the city’s rich character.

“The ‘Wireless Lincoln’ service, which is managed by AB Internet Ltd, has brought seamless wireless connectivity across the city centre and it’s got a brilliant connection speed of 10Mb,” said Mr Corrigan.

“People can go on the Internet for free for fifteen minutes each day and then move onto a ‘pay as you go’ tariff, and they can surf the net to find anything from tourist information to details about great places to eat and shop and not-to-be-missed events, all day long.”

Local businesses are also poised to benefit from the service because they will be able to promote themselves online as well as to offer their customers a new service. ‘Wireless Lincoln’ provides them with products that will reduce their current connectivity costs.

Comings and goings on the city’s retail front are always of interest to shoppers and investors who are looking to bring their names to the city.

Despite changes on the political and economic front, city business people remain upbeat about the Lindongate project. There are also high hopes that the city’s East-West Link Road will become the reality, along with good direct rail services between Lincoln and London..

Lindongate

Lincoln still has every chance of getting a multi-million boost on the retailing front – despite unforeseen delays, it is claimed.

Lincolnshire Co-operative’s hopes of making progress on the Lindongate scheme - which includes a department store, other shop units, a hotel and better car parking facilities in the Sincil Street area - received a setback when its partner developer, Modus Ventures went into administration.

But today there is renewed optimism about the project, which would also trigger the building of a new bus station and alterations to roads in the area.

Lincolnshire Co-operative’s agent, Peter Banks of Banks Long & Co said: “The original outline planning application for this project was lodged with the City of Lincoln Council in August 2008. We have had ongoing discussions with that authority, the county council, bus and train operators, ever since. The Co-op is now dealing with the planning application.”

The Society has been keeping its Sincil Street tenants informed about what is happening. It is keen to retain a diverse mix of shops, cafés and other businesses in the area, and to encourage more traders to move into empty premises – although only short-term lets may be available due to the plans for Lindongate.

“We have also been talking to shoppers and other members of the public about Lindongate. We have changed our plans slightly, including reducing the size of some units to meet English Heritage concerns, although it is vital to include a department store.

And we have even looked at how we will accommodate the new bus station to the satisfaction of the City of Lincoln and Lincolnshire County councils,” said Mr Banks.

“We really need Lindongate because we are always open to competition from other shopping centres and out-of-town developments. The upper part of the High Street is also suffering and we want to help support city centre trading and create better car parking,” added Mr Banks.

City planners will be discussing the Lindongate proposals again later this summer.

 

In the name of art

People out and about in Lincoln on Saturday 21st August may bump into representatives of five arts venues.

As a way of launching their autumn seasons, teams from Bishop Greaves Theatre, The Collection, Lincoln Drill Hall and Lincoln Performing Arts Centre will be setting out their stalls from St Marks Square to Castle Square. And the Terry O’Toole Theatre will be engaging with shoppers outside Asda in North Hykeham.

Under the Lincolnshire One Venues initiative, funded by the Arts Council, these five venues are working together with others from countywide to share ideas, build audiences, co-commission groundbreaking shows and create a higher profile and more sustainable future for culture and arts in Lincolnshire.

People eager to know what’s coming up in theatre, music, comedy, dance, film and family events this autumn or are eager to get involved in the arts locally, should make sure they make time to stop and chat to the venue teams. For more information call Gavin Street on (01522) 873891 or check the This is Art Facebook page.

Heritage website

A new website – which is claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK – is allowing users to discover the past and stay in touch with is happening in Lincoln right now.

The City of Lincoln has launched www.heritageconnectlincoln.com – an interactive and innovative site which lets people explore the city’s vast and varied heritage from Prehistoric times right through to the present day.

Heritageconnectlincoln.com is the result of more than seventeen years of hard work, which has brought together colossal amounts of information about Lincoln’s rich character. And you can tap into it using anything from a smart phone to a laptop computer.

Designed to appeal to local people and tourists, it works by dividing the city into 108 different places (character areas) and uses maps, photos, written descriptions and videos to bring these to life.

People can also add their own memories or comments in some areas and upload their own pictures. And the mobile version of the site can be used as a personal visitor guide.

The site displays the results of the Lincoln Townscape Assessment (LTA), which describes what Lincoln is really like. It also reflects the long-term investment in Lincoln’s heritage by a partnership of the City of Lincoln Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.

Townscape Character Projects Manager Adam Partington (Lincoln City Council) said: “Heritage Connect is a website that connects people with places. It gives them an understanding of how a place has developed into its current character over time and why it functions the way it does today.”

Information brought together on the new site will also be used by councils, businesses and organisations to help shape Lincoln’s future.

English Heritage assistant historic buildings and areas advisor David Walsh (also project manager for the LTA) said: “This exciting new line resource will allow the people of Lincoln and visitors to the city to access information about its heritage as never before.”

 

East/West Link Road

Highways experts are starting to look at people’s feedback to their proposals for an important new route which could cut traffic congestion in Lincoln.

Officials at Lincolnshire County Council, along with colleagues from the City of Lincoln, North Kesteven and West Lindsey District Councils, are examining comments made during the early days of a public consultation, which has given people the chance to view exhibitions at St Mary’s Guildhall and the Waterside Shopping Centre, off the High Street.

The potential benefits of an east-west link road running from Tritton Road to Canwick Road and Pelham Bridge were first talked about more than five years ago then doubts were raised about the project.

A county council spokesman said: “The public consultation period continues until the end of August but members of the steering group involved with this will be looking at the early feedback.

“A report will be produced in late September/early October and will go before the partners who will decide whether to take the scheme forward.”

 

 

Published August 2010