Staff at Lincolnshire solicitors Sills & Betteridge have raised £10,986 from their 2013 will-writing campaign for charity.

The money raised will be added to the nationwide 25th anniversary total, and was double the amount raised in the 2012 campaign.

Teams from the Lincoln, Nottingham, Boston, Gainsborough, Sleaford, Skegness and Spilsby branches offered people the opportunity to update their will in return for a donation to help people in need all over the world.

This money from Will Aid is shared by nine well-known UK charities: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Imogen Tate from Christian Aid visited the firm at their Lincoln branch to thank the team for all their hard work and present their Will Aid certificate.

Sills & Betteridge LLP has participated in nine Will Aid campaigns to date, and in total has raised an impressive £27,232.

She said: “We at Christian Aid greatly value Sills & Betteridge’s support. Will Aid is very important to Christian Aid as not only do we receive a significant amount in donations but the campaign also provides an opportunity for people to leave Christian Aid a legacy.

“Legacy gifts are crucial in enabling our work to eradicate poverty and change the systems and structures which cause it. Legacies of all sizes are incredibly valuable to Christian Aid – last year our income from legacies could have more than paid for all our work in Latin America and the Caribbean – making a lasting difference to thousands of lives.”

Jennifer Lowe, Business Development Manager, said: “Will Aid works for us as a firm that is strongly committed to the local community. It enables us to help our clients to support a worthwhile cause whilst putting their affairs in order.

“We also support Free Wills Network, and this year until May 31, we will provide wills free of charge for people over 55 years of age who sign up to the Marie Curie Cancer Care scheme. There will be a limited number of free wills available on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Richard Bussell, Partner and Head of Wills Trust & Probate, added: “Having now taken part in Will Aid for several years, we are always surprised but delighted to see it grow each year.

“To know we are the top firm in the East Midlands region this year and that we have raised this much for the Will Aid charities is amazing. We look forward to supporting the scheme again this November.”

A new Lincoln firm has netted a £150,000 investment from a local businessman after a Dragons’ Den-style event.

Innovosys, owned by Tom Whittaker, developed a mobile payment and management system for self-employed tradespeople.

Tom Whittaker impressed local investor and founder of Cool Milk for Schools, Jon Thornes, at an event run by the Lincolnshire Investment Network.

Jon Thornes was one of the panel members and liked Innovoys so much he offered to help grow and develop the business.

Tom Whittaker said: “The money will take our business to the next level.

“Not only will it help us to complete final testing, but it will also mean we can start getting our software out to the market.”

Jon Thornes said: “I am always eager to invest in businesses such as Innovosys. It’s a great product developed right here in Lincolnshire with real national potential.

”Working in partnership with the businesses in which we invest, my team and I also offer professional support from our wealth of experience to help new start-ups realise their goals.”

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The county is brimming with talented people and exciting business opportunities, and the Lincolnshire Investment Network helps bring them together with the investors who can unlock that potential.”

The newest and smallest addition to the Lincoln family of Spanish-style eateries has opened its doors on Castle Hill after a £70,000 investment.

The quaint corner unit, formerly a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust gift shop, has been given a full overhaul with seating for around 20 customers, bay window views of Lincoln Castle and a fully licensed kitchen and bar.

Olivares Tapas Bar started trading last week with a private opening and owner Nicholas Petre (40) already has big plans for the future.

“Ultimately I will be expanding the seating space to the whole of the first floor which will have great views of the square outside and double our capacity”, said Nicholas.

“I have completed all of the refurbishing work by myself with the help of a friend. All together I have spent around £70,000 on the business.

“I have been living in Lincoln for around a year and have been looking for the right city to open my business in. Lincoln is a beautiful city and very welcoming.

“In the few weeks that we have been setting the place up we have been showered with well wishes and gifts.”

Nicholas is running the business and kitchen with the help of his wife, and will soon be looking to recruit another member of staff.

The pair from Majorca will offer a range of hot and cold traditional dishes which they say have been given a unique twist.

“I studied business and tourism but I learned to cook through traditional recipes that have been passed down through the generations,” added Nicholas.

“I have my own business in Spain and worked in the industry for many years.

“The current menu is definitely a work in progress and we will be developing the selection as we go along.

“The other thing that we are trying to do is to offer a much healthier alternative, we will be making sure the dishes are as fresh and as low-fat as possible.”

The restaurant is open 10am until 3pm seven days a week and then again between 5pm and 11pm.

Lincoln ‘hunks’ willing to bare their behinds are being invited to audition to be in the next generation of ‘naked butlers’.

The Best Body Butlers company, which was set up by entrepreneur and Lincoln personal trainer Max Merritt in 2012, provides a cheeky semi-nude butler service for hen parties, meet-and-greets and cocktail events.

Due to increasing popularity the team are looking to expand and say they are searching for candidates in great shape, reliable and with a charming personality.

The butler positions are being advertised at £25 per hour and will require some travel as requests often come from Liverpool, London and Manchester.

Max Merritt said: “We are in desperate need of more hunks. The gigs are always a lot of fun and we get requests from events ranging from hen parties to corporate.

“One of the funniest stories I have personally been in involved in was late on a Friday night.

“I got a frantic call from a lady saying she needed 2 butlers urgently within the hour as another company had let her down.

“Within the hour as promised we turned up at what looked like a small bungalow. We knocked on the door and were greeted by a lady who asked us to strip down.

“We followed her down a long corridor straight into a pool house and she shouted ‘surprise’! With that 30 women turned around and climbed out of the swimming pool and lynched us stealing our only uniform – an apron!

“That’s the kind of thing our butlers need to be prepared for. I’ve never looked at women the same. They know how to party harder than men!”

Anyone interested in applying for a role should contact Max Merritt on free phone 0800 612 0931, or email max@party-butler.co.uk.

Applicants are also being encouraged to submit video auditions on the groups Facebook page. He’s an example of one of the less serious entries:

A new quality footwear shop has opened in the Lincoln Waterside Shopping Centre.

Jones Bootmaker, which took over the former Body Shop unit, was founded in 1857 and has 118 stores nationwide.

The brand offers a variety of its own range of shoes, as well as other brands such as Barkers, Gabor, Ted Baker and Timberland.

David Perry, Head of Retail for Jones Bootmaker, said: “It’s an excellent location for our brand, and we hope the people of Lincoln enjoy our shoes and boots.

“Our Lincoln store will enhance our coverage of the East of England, making it an important strategic location for us.”

Roy Greening, General Manager for the Waterside Shopping, commented: “With H&M and Next set to open later this year, Jones is the perfect compliment to all of the existing and upcoming fashion retailers on offer in the centre, cementing Waterside as Lincoln’s number one fashion and lifestyle destination.”

The Waterside is presently undergoing a £9 million revamp to update and improve the shopping centre.

The refurbishment is expected to be complete by autumn, while H&M and Next will move in during July or August.

Lincoln-based Bridge McFarland Solicitors is investing over £400,000 in a brand new suite of offices on High Street.

The move involves the firm taking over the former Sony Centre on the ground floor of Sibthorp House as a reception area and private meeting rooms.

The refurbishment will also include a conference room, capable of seating over 40, which will provide state of the art facilities next to the courts.

The office will have air conditioning throughout and will also include a new cycle shelter to the rear to encourage staff to cycle to work.

The 680sq metre office will house four of the firm’s 21 partners.

The firm’s current office on Tentercroft Street has been bought by Lincolnshire County Council, who will be demolishing the building to make way for the new East-West road link scheme.

This provides the law firm with an opportunity to consolidate its growing Lincoln operation into new offices.

Building work started in May 2014 and will be completed by the start of July. The designers for the project are Ibbotson Architects.

The move comes after Bridge McFarland announced a five-figure deal to renew its sponsorship of Lincoln City FC, and earlier this year became the first law firm in the county to be awarded the Wills and Inheritance quality mark from the Law Society.

Managing Partner Richard Parnell said: “It’s been a really exciting and successful year for the firm and this move reinforces our commitment to the city.

“The new suite of offices is a big investment but demonstrates the firm’s growing reputation and standing in the city’s business community.

“The project also ensures we heighten our visual presence on the High Street and provides the best facilities for our staff and clients.”

The Lincoln College Group has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer. Gary Headland will be taking over from Principal and CEO John Allen, who will retire in July 2014 after 14 years.

The group is made up of the three Lincoln College campuses and two secondary school academies — The Newark Academy and Trent Valley Academy in Gainsborough.

Deans Sport and Leisure and the Lincoln College International project in Saudi Arabia also come under the group.

Gary Headland said: “I am very pleased to be appointed as the CEO of The Lincoln College Group and I am both optimistic and ambitious about the future of the Group as a whole and its constituent parts in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and overseas.

“The opportunities in the education sector for innovation, inspirational leadership and working more expansively and collaboratively with partners have never been greater.”

“I will build upon the excellent work that has already been started and combine my deep public service experience and motivation with the strong commercial acumen that I have gained during my time in the private sector to deliver innovative and highly collaborative ways of providing top-quality education and training.”

Margaret Serna, Chair of the Board of Corporation, added: “The Lincoln College Group has developed at pace over the last five years.

“There is a common purpose to the activities we cover, and that is to enhance lives through training and education. We see our role as contributing to both society and the economy by supporting happy and well-qualified individuals.

“We know that Lincoln College contributes £185.5 million to the local economy – a large proportion of which can be attributed to the skills, training and support the college offers to local employers.

“Not only does the college provide staff development opportunities it also supplies the future workforce with qualified and trained staff.

“Gary’s role will reflect the full scope of The Lincoln College Group. His public service and commercial background, coupled with a passion for education, makes him the ideal person to take the Group to the next level, and I look forward to working with him.

“We would like to offer our sincere thanks to John for the hard work he has put in to help take The Lincoln College Group to where it is today and we look forward to the next chapter with excitement.”

Current Principal Mr Allen commented: “I’ve enjoyed many happy years at the college and have been lucky enough to oversee some major developments.

“I would like to thank the college staff and students for their support and hard work over the last 14 years and wish Gary every success in his future role.”

Potential entrepreneurs have an opportunity to get a business unit in an iconic area of Lincoln, as the owners of Bell’s Cafe move on to a new venture.

Lincoln chartered surveyor Banks Long & Co are looking for a new enterprise to take on the business and lease, which is on the market at £80,000. The lease runs until July 2021.

The grade two-listed café premises on Steep Hill, has been run by Richie and Nic Bell for over two years as a tea and coffee house.

The business is fully licensed, has 38 covers and seating over two floors, although the premises extends over three.

The couple are looking forward to taking on a bigger catering-style project.

Richie Bell said: “This is a fabulous location in which to work. I came out of the RAF and joined my wife who had previously managed it, and we decided to take on the lease and drive it forward.

“We had dreamed of working together within the catering and hospitality sector and it’s marvellous to be based in such a fantastic location.

“The tea and coffee house has proved to be a brilliant place in which to “cut our teeth”, but an opportunity has cropped up for us to take on a much bigger project, out of town.

“Anyone looking at the premises now, will also have the benefit of taking them on as the tourist season gets into full swing.”

Banks Long & Co Director James Butcher added: “Mr and Mrs Bell’s hopes of securing another business enterprise have created a rare opportunity for someone to acquire a superb leasehold business opportunity in an historic part of the city.

“The tea and coffee house enjoys a prominent location at the top of Steep Hill and is very close to top tourist attractions, including Lincoln Cathedral and the Castle.

“This part of the city also benefits from attracting a mix of local shoppers and the tourist trade.”

A Lincoln guest house has been declined the chance to become shared student accommodation after the City Council passed a clause forbidding it.

The owner of Carholme Guest House on Carholme Road, Paula Dew, planned to sell the house, while also applying for a change of use to a residential property.

The five-bedroom house could then be used to house either local residents or students in the area.

The property, which has been up for sale since 2008, even has a prospective buyer with a £228,000 deal.

However, at the planning committee meeting on May 14, councillors expressed concern over the number of student-based house shares in the West End of Lincoln.

According to a report from the planning manager, the student population in the area has risen significantly due to the university’s expansion.

However, this has led to a number of concerns in the area, relating to community imbalance, noise and disturbance late at night, plus the effect on the physical character and amenities of the area.

Due to these concerns, a number of proposals in the area relating to multiple occupancy homes have been rejected by inspectors, despite numerous appeals.

Additionally, both the applicant and the prospective buyer would not agree to sign a section 106 agreement to prevent the occupation of the premises by students.

Therefore, the committee agreed to approve Carholme Guest House’s request to change use from a hotel to a dwelling, but added a clause that it could not become a HMO, which was also supported by the West End Residents Association.

Some 450 members of staff, including 80 new recruits, celebrated the opening of a new Tesco Extra superstore in Lincoln on May 15.

The new 80,000 sq ft Tesco Extra supermarket on Wragby Road replaces the old store which closed on Wednesday.

The old supermarket will be demolished and redeveloped into five retail units, two retail kiosks, a public piazza with sculptures designed by local schoolchildren, and an outdoor gym and children’s play area.

Besides everyday groceries, inside the new Tesco Extra you will also find:

• Fresh meat, fish, pizza and deli counters
• F&F clothing
• Opticians and pharmacy services
• Homeware
• Click and collect service with dedicated drive-through area
• A Connected Technology department for Tesco mobile and Tesco apps, tablets, smart phones and the latest consoles
• Dedicated community room with a kitchen will offer local groups and charities a free place to meet, host events and run workshops, health groups, training courses or fitness sessions
• A new Decks restaurant in store, which has created a further 35 jobs and offers classic British dishes seven days a week.

To declare the store officially open Store Manager David Waldron and a team of 25 colleagues, each with more than 25 years of service, cut the ribbon at the shop entrance.

A team of representatives from local charity St Barnabas Hospice also joined in the celebrations as the winners of the ‘Yours for a Year’ competition.

After a public vote the hospice was awarded with a retail unit in the new store worth £45,000 rent free for a year.

Phil Brandon, Commercial Manager for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the ‘Yours for a Year’ competition and would like to thank our supporters.

“The unit is worth a potential £50,000 in annual income which would allow us to care and support a greater number of people across Lincolnshire.”

Store Manager David Waldron said: “We have worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks and months to pull this store together to offer our customers and the city of Lincoln a new and exciting shopping experience. 

“As a store we have a commitment to our local community and we are delighted to welcome many of the organisations we have been working with over the past few weeks to join in the celebrations with us.”

A Lincoln gift and homeware business has been named as the Best Independent Gift Retailer for the Midlands and Wales for 2014 at an awards ceremony in London.

Follie and Follie Home can be found in Bailgate, selling a range of home accessories, handmade gifts and decorative items.

The expansion of the second shop Follie Home was completed in November 2013.

The business was recognised at The Greats Awards on May 8, which were organised by Progressive Gifts & Home.

Shop owner  Josie Rossington said: ” We were amongst 5 other finalists in their area category, so I was totally stunned when it was announced that I had won.

“To be recognised by the gift industry itself is such a boost for all the hard work that myself and the rest of ‘Team Follie’ have put in and it’s definitely going to inspire and motivate us for the future.

“Later this year Follie will be marking its 10th anniversary and will be planning some celebrations around the event, so this award is already the icing on the celebratory cake.”

A number of residents in the south of Lincoln are concerned by planning proposals to turn a nearby wood into a laser tag zone.

The plans from Frontline Combat would see Cross Hill woods, next to the A46 Skellingthorpe Roundabout, changed from open access woodland into a laser tag activity centre.

Frontline Combat, a Lincoln business running for 10 years, currently operates from woodland by the Lincolnshire Showground.

However, the tenancy has come to an end and the site will be redeveloped into eco houses.

The new plans would see around five new jobs created, and no work would be required on the 5.40 hectare site, other than adding 10 parking spaces.

The laser tag facility would operate daily between 9.30am and 7.30pm in the summer and 9.30am to 1.30pm in the winter, with groups of people monitored by staff during these times.

The business believes that weekends will be aimed more at children’s parties, while weekday activities are most likely to be corporate events.

Area popular with dog walkers

Cross Hill woods is presently used by local residents as a place to walk dogs and is largely unmanaged.

A number of houses back onto the woods in the southerly edges of the area.

Several residents have left comments on the proposals, mainly citing the impact of noise, more traffic, effect on wildlife, and loss of an area to walk during the day.

They also feel that the nature of the activity is not suitable for the area due to a number of families living near the wood.

However, planning officers feel the level of noise will not be of concern provided the noisier activities are placed on the A46 side of the wood, staff use visuals instead of shouting to signal the start and end of games, and an appropriate buffer is placed between the wood and the homes.

North Kesteven District Council planning officers stated that the application would be of limited impact to the local area but would have economic benefits to the district.

The proposals will now be put forward to North Kesteven’s District Council in the summer for a final decision.

Local residents and neighbours of the site can make a comment on the proposals by June 16 by emailing planning@n-kesteven.gov.uk, referring to application number 14/0527/FUL.

Setting up a Food Board and its own water supply are ideas included in an ambitious plan for the food sector by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

New targets have also been set out in the Greater Lincolnshire Agri-food Sector Plan [PDF] for 2014-2020.

Within the plan, it’s explained that the greater Lincolnshire area is a market leader in the agri-food sector, with 10% of English agriculture, 5% of UK food processing jobs and 70% of the UK fish processing sector being in the county.

However, the LEP wants to double its contribution to the economy by 2030 by investing in skills, knowledge and production capacity within the sector.

In addition, it will build an industry-led Food Board and its own 25-year water supply plan to support food production and investment in transport infrastructure.

Mark Tinsley, a south Lincolnshire arable farmer and sector lead for the plan at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Greater Lincolnshire is fortunate to be home to the UK’s largest and most progressive food sector, with dynamic businesses and well developed supply chains.

“Our agri-food sector is truly a national leader in this rapidly growing sector, but we must not rest on our laurels.

“The coming decades will bring many challenges and it’s important that Greater Lincolnshire is ready to face them.

“Our plan for the agri-food sector in Greater Lincolnshire is ambitious, but we are confident that it is achievable.”

The document sets out a three-point plan: reinforcing Greater Lincolnshire’s status as the national centre for high value agri-food production, increasing the sector’s GVA (gross value added) by 25% per employee and a 30% rise in grow sector output.

By 2013, the LEP expects to see doubled output and GVA, increased employment by over 10% and GVA per employee by over 75% and better transport links meaning imports are replaced by Lincolnshire produce by 10%.

The plan will be sent to local businesses shortly in order to get feedback.

Nottinghamshire-based heritage restoration and construction company Robert Woodhead has opened an office in Lincoln.

The new office marks a commitment to Lincoln and the Lincolnshire area after taking on a number of local contracts.

Based in The Terrace off Grantham Street, it gives the Lincolnshire team a local place to go and colleagues can hot-desk as necessary.

Robert Woodhead taken work around Lincolnshire for a number of years, with clients including Lincolnshire County Council, City of Lincoln Council, North Kesteven District Council and the University of Lincoln.

Recently in Lincoln, the company have worked on repairs to Newport Arch, a number of housing developments, and a major project at Lincoln Castle as part of Lincoln Castle Revealed.

Juliet Slater, Woodhead’s Lincolnshire team leader, said: “Over the past few years we have increasingly been working in Lincoln and the wider county.

“It is now the right time for us to cement our commitment to the area by giving ourselves a permanent base here.

“This is an exciting time for us, our customers and suppliers. It gives us a platform to invest more in developing our local supply chain and delivering social economic and environmental value.”

As well as projects in Lincoln, the company is a Contractor Partner on the East Midlands Property Alliance Minor Works Construction Framework.

The framework is worth up to £33 million over four years, which will help the company grow in Lincolnshire and the rest of the East Midlands.

Additionally, the company is sponsoring a number of local events, such as 1,000 Years of Traditional Crafts at Lincoln Castle, the Lincoln Labyrinth Festival and the Historic Lincoln Trust Conference at Lincolnshire Showground.

A Lincoln-based solicitors is supporting a member of staff as she returns to work after undergoing cancer treatment by donating to cancer support.

Conveyancing Executive Diane White has returned to her desk at Anthony Clark & Co after months of treatment for grade three breast cancer.

Anthony Clark & Co supported Diane through her tough journey and raised £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

In addition, the firm have pledged to donate 5% of any new instructions fees received by Diane in the next three months to the charity.

Diane said: “The partners and staff at Anthony Clark & Co have been most supportive during this difficult time and I am excited to be back in the driving seat within the conveyancing department continuing to serve my clients both old and new.

“Chemotherapy was my biggest ordeal, which although can be very tough on the body, I coped with relatively well.

“I was informed by cancer professionals that this was due to the fact that I was very fit before being diagnosed and I continued to exercise moderately while undergoing my treatment.”

Tom Scott, Head of the Conveyancing Department added: “Diane’s return could not have come at better time as we have just completed the restructuring of the conveyancing department and introduced a new case management system.

“Both Diane’s clients and colleagues have missed her over the past few months.”

Lincoln will finally have its own brown signs at two junctions along the A1, directing visitors to the city’s heritage sites.

The new signs will be erected over the coming days at two junctions at Newark and Markham Moor near Tuxford.

The signs were pushed for by a joint campaign by Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, Lincoln BIG and local businesses.

Lincoln BIG, with the help of Karl McCartney, took the case for Lincoln brown signs to Westminster, and managed to win approval for the signs third time round.

Lincoln BIG also have a £60,000 funding package ready to pay for the signs.

Brown signs are tourist signs along roads pro­vided to help vis­i­tors on the last stage of their journey get to a tourist des­ti­na­tion, that may also be difficult to find.

Lincoln’s winning argument was that it is a significant historic city, plus it is home to one of four surviving copies of the Magna Carta.

Funding was secured from a number of partners, with the County Council paying for half of the funding, and contributions from Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire Co-op, City of Lincoln Council, Bishop Grosseteste University, the University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire Economic Action Partnership, Investors in Lincoln and Lincoln BIG.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney said: “As a significant historic Cathedral and county city and as home of one of just four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta, I have long felt that having some ‘tourist’ brown signs pointing travellers on the A1 towards Lincoln is of crucial importance to our tourist and visitor industry.

“With the longstanding help and support of Lincoln BIG, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincoln Cathedral, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the University of Lincoln, local businesses and others, and with the help of Conservative Ministers at the Department for Transport, together we have finally, after much bureaucratic delay, made A1 located brown signs to Lincoln finally become a reality.”

Lincoln BIG chief executive Matt Corrigan said: “It’s been a long and difficult journey but we are absolutely delighted that we have finally arrived at the day when the brown signs will go up.

“The signs underline Lincoln’s status as an important tourism destination, and the need to direct people here safely by the best route.

“We certainly would not have got to this point without the support of Karl McCartney and the many people and organisations, who both supported the campaign and donated money to pay for the work.

“It demonstrates how much can be achieved if the city stands together and presents a united front.

“The brown signs will play a vital part in the ongoing efforts to grow Lincoln’s vital tourism economy, which is key to creating jobs, growing prosperity and putting the city on the map.”

Princess Anne will visit the Gelder Group head office near Lincoln to officially open the construction firm’s new educational centre on July 16.

Gelder Group, based on Tillbridge Lane in Sturton by Stow, said it will also launch its new mission and vision on the day.

Group MD Steve Gelder said: “We are hugely excited and very proud of the fact that HRH The Princess Royal has accepted our invitation and will be joining us for the opening of our new Educational Centre and launch of the group’s new mission and vision.”

The construction firm hosted two other Royal visits previously, both by the Duke of Gloucester, in 2005 and 2010.

Developers have applied for planning permission to convert a large office premises in the West End of Lincoln into a multiple-occupancy home.

The building at 8 The Avenue is a large house converted into offices, previously accommodating the Youth Offending Team and other Lincolnshire County Council services.

The application by Paul Ramsey wants to change the use of the building from offices to a one bed apartment plus a multiple use occupancy house with eight rooms.

The property’s proximity to the University of Lincoln would make it viable as a student share house, but it’s unclear at this stage whether the applicant plans to use the converted offices in this way.

The building neighbours the NHS Step Team and Ridgeway House Care home, and Lincolnshire County Council across the street, plus other mixed use office premises.

The building is situated in a conservation area, which means the plans have to go through consultation and planning with the City of Lincoln Council.

This month, the City of Lincoln Council rejected plans from the Carholme Guest House on Carholme Road to become shared student accommodation, passed a clause to forbid the conversion.

A final decision will not be made on the application until late June, as residents get 21 days to voice their comments.

The application will then go to the City of Lincoln Council’s Planning Committee for a decision.

To leave a comment on the proposal, visit the application’s page on the city council website.

An asbestos removal company has been fined more than £150,000 after it exposed workers to dangerous fibres during the demolition of a former school building in Lincoln.

Angus Group Ltd, based in Paisley, Scotland, was found guilty at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on May 27 of eight breaches of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, and was fined £109,000 and ordered to pay a further £42,100 in costs.

Magistrates heard that Angus Group Ltd did not properly manage the removal of asbestos-containing materials at the site of the former Ermine Infants’ School on Thoresway Drive in Lincoln during March 2012.

Angus Group Ltd were sub-contracted to carry out the asbestos removal work on behalf of the contractors demolishing the school, owned by Lincolnshire County Council. The site was being demolished after the school buildings were replaced by a new school.

Before work began, an asbestos survey was carried out to identify the areas in the building containing asbestos, and recommending how this was to be treated to ensure safe removal.

The survey found the end walls of the school’s main hall were covered in a spray-applied coating of asbestos, and should therefore be removed by a licensed contractor under safe, controlled conditions.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigations found these recommendations were ignored by Angus Group Ltd. The asbestos spray coating on the main hall walls was chiseled off using power tools without any screens, enclosures or air extraction systems in place. Asbestos-containing material was bagged and carried to a skip outside.

Angus Group Ltd notified the main contractors that the asbestos removal work on the main hall was finished, but when the project agents and main contractors visited the next day, they found the hall covered in dust and patches of asbestos material still on the wall.

HSE discovered a catalogue of safety breaches at the site during their investigation. The exact location of asbestos material wasn’t identified, and the work only took one day to complete rather than the planned seven.

Risk assessments were too generic; enclosures, segregation and containment measures were inadequate; plans lacked detail; access and transit routes through the buildings weren’t clear; employees lacked specific instruction, and there was no reference to the original asbestos survey in the plan.

HSE experts concluded the company’s safeguards to control the asbestos risks were seriously inadequate leading to an unnecessary release and spread of dangerous asbestos fibres and dust.

The plan and risk assessment for the asbestos removal work in the building’s boiler room were also found to be confused and a decontamination unit was not powered. HSE served a prohibition notice to halt the work on the boiler room until the unit was properly powered and working.

Fifteen of the 17 samples taken in and around the hall proved positive for asbestos. A later analysis, which included other parts of the building, found asbestos fibres in 15 of 34 samples, indicating asbestos had spread throughout the building.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Martin Giles said: “Angus Group Ltd is an experienced licensed contractor, and was fully aware of all the hazards and all its responsibilities to ensure safety at all times.

“It is deplorable a company that does know better failed to properly manage the dangers of this hidden killer.”

The Japanese-inspired Wagamama restaurant unit on Lincoln’s Brayford Pool has been put up for sale just 19 months after it opened.

The modern 98-seater diner unit, with an additional 50 seats outside, is on the market for £945,000 and a guide rent value of the unit of £62,500 a year.

Banks Long & Co, who are handling the sale and letting of the property, hope to attract a new investor and said Wagamama plan to continue letting the building.

The national chain worked alongside Stem Architects in 2012 to design the contemporary build, stilted on the former Harbour Master’s office.