Projects aim to future-proof town’s prosperity

Whether you love a bit of retail therapy, like to soak up the local history or just enjoy taking in the street scene, the charming North Lincolnshire town of Brigg is the place for you. By Melanie Burton.

With its mix of independent shops, intertwining web of historic streets and a ‘nothing is too much trouble’ attitude, it has something for everyone to enjoy.

A wealth of long-standing, family-run businesses, which have stood the test of time for generations, can be found trading alongside well-known high street names and modern day businesses.

Like many towns up and down the country Brigg has had a tough time over the past few years because of the pandemic but it has always maintained an air of optimism and the community of Brigg, particularly its business and retail sectors, pulled together to get the town back on the road to recovery.

The Brigg Town Business Partnership has been looking after the interests of the town’s traders since 2011 when it was formed to support the local independents, to ensure that shopping in Brigg remained an experience to remember and to safeguard the variety of local shops with the character of the town.

Supported by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England’s national ‘Shop Local’ promotion, the partnership aims to reinvigorate the local economy and safeguard jobs while bringing shoppers the very best in local food and produce.

It is chaired by Deb Dunderdale from The Deli & Diner in the town, who said: “Our members have worked hard to make Brigg shops a caring and safe place, giving confidence to shoppers to encourage them to the town to shop safe and smart in Brigg.”

Improvements have been made to the road network making it easier and safer to visit Brigg and there is a new cycle lane on Bridge Street helping to attract visitors into the centre.

There are also plans to install electric vehicle chargers in the Old Courts Road car park during the summer, giving drivers unprecedented access to clean, green energy.

The project, designed to create a future-proof network of charging infrastructure ahead of the global transition to electric vehicles, has been developed with £80,000 of Government cash.

Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We know electric vehicles are the future of transport and, with Government cash, we have started the transition to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support the anticipated growth – clear evidence of levelling-up.

“And, at the same time as future-proofing North Lincolnshire for the global transition to electric vehicles, there is an immediate benefit to those people already driving electric vehicles.

“Many more drivers can now more conveniently charge their vehicles – and take advantage of the two hours free parking available across the area.”

The council is exploring other technologies including solutions to enable access to charging points in communities where off-road parking spaces are at a premium.

Councillor David Rose, cabinet member for the environment, said: “This latest cash from Government will make a huge difference to the way people travel across North Lincolnshire and further encourage the transition to electric vehicles.

“This latest project is part of our Green Future environmental agenda which is at the forefront of everything we do, and this is a big step forward in making sustainable living accessible for everyone.

“This is a significant step forward towards our ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing our environment now and into the future.”

Brigg’s visitor economy has been boosted over the past year thanks to the new Business Support and Tourism Centre which opened in the historic Buttercross building in the heart of the town.

The former Tourist Information Centre offers a dedicated space to support businesses, including selling and showcasing local products. It also enables businesses to consult growth hub advisors and receive expert advice on areas including finance, publicity, business planning and funding.

The flexible facility also provides a base for the North Lincolnshire Tourism Partnership and the Events Network to operate from, serving as an important networking and workshop space for event organisers across the area.

Another historic Brigg building which is enjoying a new lease of life is the Angel building in the Market Place, which reopened as a community hub as part of North Lincolnshire Council’s £5m community investment programme.

It now has a community kitchen and training room, private meeting, activity and community rooms, open access computers, a ‘magic table’ for those who are cognitively challenged (such as autism sufferers or people with dementia) and a new children’s library.

Staff offer information, advice and guidance on all aspects of council services including information on healthy lifestyles and support for jobseekers.

The Angel is also home to Brigg Town Council, which has new rooms on the top floor, and Brigg Heritage Centre, which remains on the first floor, while The Courtyard Café and La Finca, North Lincolnshire’s only tapas restaurant, trade from the ground floor.

BRIGG GARDEN CENTRE
Brigg Garden Centre is the flagship centre of the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group. British Garden Centres now runs 61 centres around the country and is the second-largest group in the country.

Owned and led by the Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire, the group saw immense expansion in 2019/2020 with the acquisition of 47 garden centres growing from 10 in 2018 to 61 in 2022.

Directors and owners Charles and Robert Stubbs have been in the gardening business since the 1970s, but their roots in horticulture and agriculture in the Lincolnshire Wolds go back much further. 

CV Stubbs & Sons was established at Woodthorpe around the turn of the last century with a business predominantly focused on agriculture and food production.
The successful business was developed, and the estate grew rapidly until shortly after WW2 when the agricultural land was broken up and divided between the 13 children of the family. 

In 1977, their father opened Woodthorpe Leisure Park, which is still in operation today, and the two brothers began their entrepreneurial journey propagating leylandii and selling them from the garden gate.

Ten years later the brothers launched their first garden centre, Woodthorpe Garden Centre, which has gone from strength to strength.

The group prides itself on providing outstanding plants and products at great value; there is always a range of fantastic deals and seasonal special offers, however the added attractions and activities are what set British Garden Centres apart from its competitors. All centres are family orientated, with something fun for all ages. 

There are also 55 incredible restaurants that boast a wide variety of food and drink options and 24 locations offer a tasty carvery. 

The Stubbs dynasty is ever-expanding with Charles’ daughter Amy Stubbs recently becoming the group project and development manager. She was previously the centre manager at their flagship Brigg Garden Centre in Lincolnshire. Her cousin Abigail Stubbs is assistant manager at Woodthorpe Garden Centre, the original home of British Garden Centres. 

Charles Stubbs believes the key to future success is in the skills and experience built up through exposure to all aspects of the business.

He said: “Of course, it’s a proud moment when you see the next generation developing and succeeding in the business, but they must earn their stripes in exactly the same way as any other member of the team.

“It is a fundamental pillar of our business strategy to develop talent from within the business wherever we can. We have a business philosophy that empowers our managers and their teams, so we need to be confident we have the best people.” 

FUNDRAISING MILESTONE
Brigg Garden Centre, and its sister centres in the British Garden Centres group, has reached the first milestone in its pledge to raise at least £25,000 for its chosen charity by 2024.

The centre made the promise when it became a Platinum Partner of the Greenfingers Charity in January this year and recently Amy and Abigail Stubbs were able to present a cheque for £25,000 to TV presenter and charity patron, David Domoney.

Amy said: “It’s amazing to see our centres create awareness and raise money for Greenfingers. This charity means a lot to us, and we support them in everything they do. This money raised will only go on to help them create more magical gardens for children’s hospices.”  

The garden centre has raised this money through a series of events this year, including their participation in the national Garden Re-Leaf Day in March, a day dedicated to raising money and awareness of the work carried out by the charity. It is widely supported by the gardening industry. 

A further £5,000 was raised during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from the sales of the new Hydrangea Red Butterfly, which is the new signature British Garden Centres plant and was exclusively available to visitors at the show. 

David Domoney said: “The support of the entire British Garden Centres family really will make a tremendous difference to the work of the charity and in turn the families and carers who spend time in Greenfingers gardens.”

Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices around the UK.

The charity is committed to creating beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.
To date, Greenfingers Charity has created more than 60 inspiring gardens in children’s hospices around the country and has a further waiting list of hospices that need help.

As part of the British Garden Centres group, Brigg Garden Centre also sponsored the world theatre stage at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event back in June, which attracted thousands of people over the four days.

“This is something new for British Garden Centres and being such a well-known and loved event is amazing,” said Amy.

BRIGG MARINA
The small town of Brigg makes an ideal getaway with its easy access to the major road networks and its close proximity to the Humber Estuary and the East Coast.

No wonder then that its Marina and Luxury Lodge Park is proving popular.

park opened in March 2019 followed by Phase Two in December 2019 and it now has 23 lodges, sleeping from 5 to 9 people. Twenty of them have hot tubs and the park even has pet friendly lodges available.

Set in peaceful countryside, these one and two storey accommodations nestle amongst landscaped grounds on Carr Island with the River Ancholme running along one side and the Old River Ancholme on the other.

It is the perfect setting for a tranquil riverside walk starting at the marina, where you’ll believe you are miles from anywhere but minutes from everywhere.

Brigg Marina is a gateway to the Lincolnshire Wolds, which has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers a unique landscape of rolling chalk hills and open valleys with views across the fens and salt marshes.

Renowned for its wildlife, the Wolds is home to Red Hill Nature Reserve and Claythorpe Watermill and Wildfowl Gardens.

With the Ancholme Valley Walk, Lindsey Loop and Lincs Wold Way on the doorstep, Brigg offers walkers the opportunity to discover what North Lincolnshire has to offer.

For nature lovers, the holiday park harbours a wide variety of aquatic flora and wildlife.

The River Ancholme Navigation runs from the Humber Estuary near South Ferriby, to its terminus at Bishopbridge 19 miles (30.4 km) upstream. There are two locks and an additional navigable loop in the river to Brigg.

WHITE HART REFURBISHMENT
Brigg is also home to one of the most historic pubs across the Humber region, the White Hart on the banks of the River Ancholme.

The iconic pub is just undergoing a major refurbishment which is due for completion in September.
The Grade II listed building was first built in the 1700s and by the mid-1800s was one of more than 30 hostelries within the town centre.

It was purchased by White Venues early last year to protect it from being converted into a housing development and their plans are to transform it into a venue for special celebrations.

The public bar is being extended, a function room is being added and the pub will also have 16 bedrooms, a new kitchen and a snug.

“Work is well underway to create a unique luxury waterfront celebration venue,” the owners posted on Facebook.

“Restoring and adapting this historic building will enable groups of 40-plus friends and family to come together under one roof to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and any other special occasion.

“The White Hart holds memories forever for many people so we are offering the chance to hire your own pub in the market town of Brigg. Why rent a farmhouse when you can be your own pub landlord for the day.”

The self-catering venue will work closely with local restaurants, pubs, shops and event organisers to provide everything from breakfast to a Chinese banquet, entertainment and drinks.

BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT FOR DRY AMD AT O’BRIEN’S
Now available locally in Brigg, North Lincolnshire. As we age, our sight tends to become less clear, and some of us will develop what is known as ‘Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration’. When this happens, the central area of our vision darkens and becomes blurred, making it difficult to see detail, and preventing activities such as driving, reading, watching TV, using computers, tablets and so on. Even recognising faces can prove difficult.

Until recently, there were no effective treatments for Dry AMD, the only suggestions being lifestyle changes or dietary supplements. Now, sufferers will be delighted to learn that there is a newly developed treatment available locally. It is a safe, non-invasive, painless therapy which is fully approved under European and UK directives.

This breakthrough treatment is known as photobiomodulation (PBT) and uses a cold laser system to produce low levels of red, yellow and infrared light to stimulate the centre of vision by energising and providing oxygen for cell repair. Results from extensive monitored trials of the therapy show that for many Dry AMD sufferers, there can be an improvement in sharpness of vision corresponding to some 5 or 8 extra letters on the testing chart. This therapy has also been shown to help diabetics who have certain eye problems related to their diabetes.

Dr Sheeraz Janjua is now providing this new treatment at his specialist clinics held regularly at O’Brien’s Opticians on Wrawby Street in Brigg.

He can be contacted on 01652 653595 and 01652 649024 for more information.

BE ASSURED OF THE BEST QUALITY PRODUCTS
Peacock & Binnington stock top quality garden machinery for professionals and serious gardeners. All of their new machinery is supplied ready-assembled, checked, oiled up and ready to run.

“In our workshops we have a dedicated team of Garden Machinery Engineers to carry out any repairs or servicing needs. So, you can rest assured that your machinery is in safe hands.

“You will find we only stock the best quality products after they have gone through rigorous testing. Before shipping, every product is checked over and inspected to ensure it is in working order. This means, when it arrives it is ready to work.

“Some of the garden machinery products you will find include: lawn mowers, trimmers, multi-tools, ride-on lawn mowers, robot lawn mowers and hedge trimmers. Specialist power tools for gardening, landscaping and construction are also available including augers and posthole diggers, tillers and chainsaws.”

Pop into your local branch or visit online: peacockgardenmachinery.co.uk

SHOP IN STYLE AT AC PAILTHORP JEWELLERS
If you’re looking for a special gift for loved ones, or a beautiful keepsake to celebrate unique occasions, the experienced and knowledgeable staff at AC Pailthorp Jewellers in Wrawby Street, Brigg, will help you to make that special purchase.

Customers can enjoy relaxed shopping in the recently refurbished sumptuous surroundings while choosing from a wide range of quality jewellery products, including watches, rings, diamonds, necklaces, pendants and bracelets, as well as clocks and jewellery boxes.

As a well established independent jewellery store, AC Pailthorp also offers valuations, repairs and bespoke engravings, as well as unique custom-made designs.

“Our aim is to personally welcome every customer and help them enjoy the delights of our special shopping experience,” says owner Tracey Riggall, who has worked here for the past 30 years and took over running the business three years ago. “Unlike most high street chains, shoppers, and especially happy couples who are planning a wedding, can enjoy taking time out in our beautiful plush pink velvet seating area while selecting something special and enjoying light refreshments, or even indulge with a glass of Buck’s Fizz!”

For more information about AC Pailthorp Jewellers tel: 01652 653374 or visit www.acpailthorpjewellers.co.uk

FIRST CHOICE FOR PERSONALISED CARPET SOLUTIONS
If you’re looking for a first class service for all your flooring requirements, the helpful and expert team at Dean Wray Carpets & Vinyls pride themselves on delivering an outstanding bespoke service to suit all individual needs.

Situated in Bridge Street, here you will find a wide range of quality carpets, vinyls and roll ends in stock for all tastes and budgets, with carpets fitted by their own in-house expert fitting team, with an additional service of uplift of existing carpet and help with moving furniture also on offer.

Dean Wray Carpets & Vinyls also provide insurance quotes and a home sampling service.

“As an independent specialist business, our mission is to provide customers with a personal service from start to finish by always going that extra mile,” explains owner Dean Wray. “We also offer genuine value for money – so no gimmicks, no add-ons, just a fantastic all-round service.”

For more information visit www.deanwraycarpets.co.uk

QUALITY COUNTRY CLOTHING FROM WALLHEAD’S
Specialists in outdoor and country clothing, Wallhead’s Countrywear is a highly regarded family business which combines classic sporting brands with five-star customer service. Established in 1897 by James Blackburn Wallhead, today this popular store in Wrawby Street, Brigg, is run by fourth-generation Richard Wallhead, who is committed to offering a warm welcome with personal attention for both local shoppers as well as many who come from far and wide, including New Zealand and the USA.

As well as catering for formal and casual wear, here you will find everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors, with top quality designs from brands including Barbour, Brook Taverner, Le Chameau, Aigle, Viyella, Peter England, Gurteen, Farah, Hawick Knitwear, as well as Failsworth hats and caps. If you’re looking for quality shooting clothing, Wallhead’s stocks popular German brand Schoffel, including tweed breeks and waistcoats, with caps to match, as well as excellent Gore-Tex and Venturi waterproof, machine washable shooting coats.

For more information telephone: 01652 652356.

AT THE ‘ARTEFACT’ OF OUR COMMUNITY
In March 2022, Brigg Heritage Centre welcomed Glyn Alexander as its new manager. Glyn’s design and business management skills are certainly enhancing the visitor experience. The ‘Brigg Raft’ (circa 800BC and principal artefact) forms the basis of the permanent collection – spanning from the Bronze Age to the 20th century.

BHC is custodian of Brigg’s Buttercross, ever popular for wedding/civil ceremonies and special occasions. If you are seeking a venue to host your formal/informal meeting, training, or regular group, various room hire options are available at competitive rates.

Creativity holds no bounds at BHC, with activities including: Heritage Craft Workshops, Farmers’ Market Children’s Crafts, musical events, author talks and much much more!

‘Specially Selected’ souvenirs also await visitors seeking something “a little bit different”.

• The Hobbyist Showcase: celebrating local creative and artistic pursuits – displays until mid-August.

• Brigg’s ‘Beeting’ Heart… the sugar factory story – new for September’s Heritage Open Days 2022.

www.briggheritage.org

BRIGG BEDS DELIVERS ON DREAMS
Established in 2002, Brigg Beds in Princes Street is an independent family run business offering outstanding and caring customer service, with proven expertise in matching personalised preferences and needs with exceptional craftsmanship in the best of bedroom furniture.

You’ll find a quality range of the latest designs in beds and mattresses (including traditional sprung, pocket sprung, memory foam, latex and gel), together with bedroom furniture such as divans, ottomans, headboards, as well as a selection of pillows, quilts and mattress protectors.

Visit the light and airy showroom where the friendly, professional staff will welcome you and discuss your individual needs, helping you find the bed of your dreams. Choose from a quality range of popular leading brands including Deluxe, Wheatcroft and Dreamland beds, as well as Mlily and Ice Cloud mattresses to suit all requirements.

Brigg Beds also offers a hands-on personalised delivery service from start to finish, within a 30-mile radius of Brigg, including Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Lincoln.

The showroom is open from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-5pm.

Tel: 01652 651828 or find on Facebook: Brigg Beds.

YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR CREATIVE DESIGNS
If you are looking for some inspiration for your home, then look no further!

The friendly and experienced team at Turnbull Brigg are on hand to help with anything from building, plumbing and heating supplies and DIY materials, to stunning kitchen and bathroom designs.

“We have dedicated teams to help you and are proud to offer a wide range of different products to ensure we continually offer the best service and quality to all our customers.

“Turnbull is the largest family-owned builders’ merchant in Lincolnshire, trading for 126 years. We have five kitchen and bathrooms showrooms across the East Midlands, all of which showcase a range of fantastic displays, many sourced from suppliers exclusive to Turnbull. From new build homes to renovations and landscaping, we can help with any type of project.”

Visit Turnbull: Island Carr Road, Brigg DN20 8PD, or call 01652 240720. To make an appointment with one of the design experts, go online to turnbull.co.uk/showrooms/

The showroom is open from Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm, and Saturday 8am-12.30pm.

“We look forward to welcoming you to Turnbull!”

Photographs: Mick Fox

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