Lincoln’s first 24/7 gym will open in the new units at the Tesco Extra site on Wragby Road.

Anytime Fitness is an international chain of 24-hour gyms. At present, the brand offers 16 gyms across the UK, with more preparing to open.

In Lincoln, Anytime Fitness will open at the end of October alongside the newest St Barnabas Hospice charity shop.

It will feature private bathrooms instead of the typical changing rooms, access to 2,500 gyms across the world, a cardio and weights area, personal trainers and fitness classes.

For those looking to train during the night but still wanting to partake in group classes such as spinning, virtual classes will be available.

The cardio equipment is supplied by Life Fitness, and features technology such as the ability to interact with smartphones to track progress.

The weights area will feature dumbbells up to 50kg (up to 62.5kg based on demand), barbells up to 45kg, weight discs, power racks, a Life Fitness Synrgy functional training rig and various resistance machines.

During the pre-opening period, prices will begin at £24.95 per month for membership for the first 100 people, then £27.95 for the next 100, £29.95 and then £32.95 thereafter.

There is also a £20 joining fee which includes a fob key for access and 30 minute personal training session.

In the past three months, members of Lincolnshire Co-Op have raised £45,538 for almost 100 local good causes, including 28 from the Lincoln area.

As part of the Community Champions scheme, every time one of the society’s 231,000 members used their dividend card in any Lincolnshire Co-Op outlets where points are issued, a donation is put towards their local cause.

The Community Champions for the period June to September will be awarded a cheque of vouchers for the total raised by shoppers in their area.

In Lincoln, 28 good causes will share £14,450.03. Those benefitting include scout groups, sports clubs, various churches, schools and charities.

Some £1,608.62 will go to The Lancaster School to improve outdoor provision by developing the pupils’ garden.

A total of £1,181.93 will be awarded to the Welton St Mary’s Church in Lincoln in order to create a Remembrance Garden.

Now this set of Community Champions’ three months is up, new champions take over and members have begun raising money for different local groups.

Customers can look for displays in store or check the bottom of their till receipt to see who they’re supporting now.

As well as being one of the Community Champions supported by local outlets each year, charities and community groups can join the central list.

Members can then choose to make them their Community Champion all year around. At the end of the financial year, Lincolnshire Co-op will add up all the money raised for local groups on that list and pay out the total.

Lincolnshire Co-op is encouraging members of local groups in need of funding to apply to become a Community Champion.

Member Engagement Manager Richard Whittaker said: “We’re very impressed that our members have managed to raise so much money for good causes in their local areas.

“It’s been great to see our Community Champions really encouraging their supporters to help raise funds, which they can do just by shopping with Lincolnshire Co-op.

“The champions change four times a year so we have the chance to support lots of different groups – if any groups out there need help with a project we’d like to encourage them to apply to be a Community Champion.”

Sub-contractors and suppliers across Lincoln and the surrounding areas are being given the opportunity to work on a range of public sector projects.

The University of Lincoln, G F Tomlinson and Scape, which manages the East Midlands Property Alliance (EMPA), are hosting a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to introduce the opportunities available.

The event will take place on Wednesday, September 17 from 8.30am until 3.30pm at Think Tank at the University of Lincoln, Ruston Way.

As well as introducing local businesses to contractor partners, the open event will give attendees the chance to learn more about tendering for a range of supply chain opportunities.

EMPA operates in the wider East Midlands and improves the procurement and delivery of construction projects and property maintenance for public sector bodies – saving time and money for them and in turn for council taxpayers.

Work by EMPA covers all types of public sector buildings, including schools, colleges, universities, housing, NHS, care homes, leisure facilities, libraries and more.

Head of EMPA Alan Coole said: “This event is the perfect opportunity for suppliers and sub-contractors to find out more about the really exciting projects which are being delivered in Lincoln and how they can potentially get involved in the ones that appeal to them.

“Boosting local economies is a key priority for EMPA and this event gives us an opportunity to showcase the opportunities which are available for local companies.”

Andy Sewards, director at G F Tomlinson, added: “GF Tomlinson is passionate about and committed to ensuring we engage the local supply chain in our work and Meet the Buyer events are the perfect way to make sure local companies are aware of the opportunities available to them.”

Phones 4U stores have closed across the country after EE pulled out of a contract with the chain, forcing it into administration. The retailer has two Lincoln shops, and branches in Grantham, Boston and Stamford.

The British firm, which employs 5,596 people across the UK, is owned by London buyout house BC Partners.

A substantial blow to the company came two weeks ago when Vodafone withdrew its business. O2 and Three had also pulled their sales earlier in the year.

EE, the only mobile network operator left to represent, withdrew on Friday, September 15 forcing Phones 4U to seek protection from its administrators and close its 550 UK stores.

BC Partners acquired the chain in 2011 in a £610m deal. The business is currently saddled with a £635m debt.

Phones 4U have pledged to refund customers for any orders that have not been dispatched.

The decision to reopen the stores will be made by administrators. Vodafone’s contract runs until February 2015 and EE have more than a year left to fulfil their contract.

Phones 4U, known for its controversial advertising campaigns, was founded by John Caudwell in the mid 1980s.

Last year, the company generated more than £1bn in sales and had “significant cash in the bank”.

David Kassler, chief executive of Phones 4U, said: “Today is a very sad day for our customers and our staff.

“If the mobile network operators decline to supply us, we do not have a business. A good company making profits of over £100m, employing thousands of decent people, has been forced into administration.

“The great service we have provided should have guaranteed a strong future, but unfortunately our network partners have decided otherwise. The ultimate result will be less competition, less choice and higher prices for mobile customers in UK.”

Lincolnshire businesses are looking forward to the next 12 months after seeing improvements in the past year, a survey has found.

According to the Greater Lincolnshire Employer Survey, carried out on behalf of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), nearly two-thirds of the 1,515 businesses surveyed saw improved performance and almost three-quarters expect their business to grow in the next 12 months.

The survey backs up findings from the latest Quarterly Economic Survey too, which found that businesses have been experiencing these improvements every quarter since the beginning of 2013.

It also found 65% of employers reported an increase in profitability, turnover, sales and market share in the last year, and 72% of businesses expect performance to improve over the next 12 months.

70% of employers in the LEP’s “priority sectors” — agri-food, visitor economy, manufacturing, ports and logistics, renewables and care services — gave Greater Lincolnshire a positive or very positive rating as a place where their business can grow.

However, businesses still found one common challenge they were facing in the past quarter.

Only 21% of respondents described the transport infrastructure in the county as good. Poor transport infrastructure was cited by 30% of private sector employers as “an obstacle to business growth”.

Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “This survey is a very important piece of work for us and it’s encouraging to see that the results show increased optimism and business growth across Greater Lincolnshire.

“This is the first major study of the Greater Lincolnshire economy we have carried out, and we have done so because we can’t get this information in any other way.

“The data will be extremely useful in allowing us to understand both current business conditions in our area and the barriers to growth.”

“Poor transport infrastructure is an area that employers have highlighted as a negative factor and we will continue to prioritise transport – particularly rail and road infrastructure – in our plans for the Greater Lincolnshire.”

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “There’s no question that Lincolnshire needs better infrastructure, and over the next few years the county council will spend several hundred million pounds on major road projects in Lincoln and Grantham, and strategic partners like Network Rail are making significant investments in Lincolnshire too.

“We’re also working with local MPs to lobby the government for extra funding so we can sustain this period of economic growth and continue to help local businesses prosper.”

See the full results on the Greater Lincolnshire LEP website.

Siemens Lincoln has appointed a new managing director to move the Industrial Turbo Machinery company forward.

Neil Corner, who is currently Director of Service, will take over from current director Nick Muntz on October 1.

The changes are part of Siemens’ global reorganisation of its divisional businesses, such as Power & Gas Distributed Generation which Siemens Lincoln is part of.

Nick Muntz will take on a new director’s role at Siemens in Germany.

He said: “I am delighted to announce news of Neil’s appointment. Neil is a natural successor to this role.

“We have worked alongside one another for the last four years and Neil knows the combined business inside out and what is required to take the business to the next phase of growth.

“Neil is a well-known business leader in Lincolnshire through his work with the Greater Lincolnshire Economic Partnership and the University of Lincoln making him a great external ambassador for our business. I wish him and the team every success.”

Neil has worked for Siemens for 19 years, joint as a development engineer at the Firth Road factory before moving to the sales department.

After working for GE & BP briefly, Neil returned to Siemens as regional sales director for the gas turbine manufacturing business before transferring to the service business side as marketing and sales director.

John Hunt will join Neil Corner as new chief financial officer responsible for the manufacturing and service businesses.

He has worked for Siemens for nine years after jointing the company as Head of Accounting, Reporting and Controlling.

Meanwhile Michael Gray, the previous chief financial officer, will take up a new role as CFO of the acquired Rolls Royce Service business (subject to deal closing).

Europower Components will be the fourth company to take space on the Stirlin Point Development in Lincoln after completing a relocation deal.

The development site on Saddler Road already includes existing occupants Linwave, Microwave Marketing and Eriks Industrial Services.

Europower Components is a distributor franchise of power electrical components, supplying industrial applications such as wind turbines and inverter drives.

The company purchased a 6,000 sq ft building on a 0.25 acre plot, and is moving from its current address on Wavell Drive. The total project value is around £500,000.

Heronswood Design has lodged a planning application for the new Lincoln premises with the City of Lincoln Council.

Stirlin Developments plan to begin construction within two months, with completion hoped for Spring 2015.

Europower Components Director, Stuart Thrower said: “Europower Components has been growing year on year for over a decade and has needed a new facility since 2012.

“Due to the lack of “hybrid” commercial property within the Lincoln region we teamed up with James Kirby of Stirlin Developments to design and build a property to our exact requirements, this has worked out to be a competitive solution and a quicker process than expected’.

James Kirby, Managing Director of Stirlin Developments said: “We are very pleased to have secured Europower Components as the next occupier for our Stirlin Point Development.

“The location is prime, the quality of existing occupiers high, and I am confident further deals can be announced in the coming weeks.”

Dan Race, Partner with agents for the scheme Hodgson Elkington, said: “Europower Components had been looking for new premises in Lincoln for some considerable time and their decision to commit to Stirlin Point at this time demonstrates the improving business confidence we are seeing in all sectors.”

The next developments planned at Stirlin Point include a small office unit for a local company and a row of four speculative units, which will offer both hybrid office/warehouse accommodation and basic light industrial/warehouse accommodation.

Dan Rontree of Heronswood Design added: “We are delighted to be working with Stirlin Developments again in this expanding market sector and look forward to seeing Europower Components settle in to their new premises in due course.”

Branston potato factory handles around 350,000 tonnes of potatoes per year, and is now working hard to offer healthy eating education and innovation.

From this week, and with the help of their new mascot Billy Branston, they’ll be touring the country on their ‘Amazing Potato Factory’ tour bus in order to share the potato process with children across the UK.

Billy’s Amazing Potato Factory is a fully kitted-out double decker bus where children can learn all about a potato’s journey from field to fork.

The programme was set up to tie in with the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 curriculum.

The campaign is in support of the Tesco Eat Happy Project. Tesco, who are Branston’s biggest customer, is rolling out its commitment to help children “have a better relationship with food”.

The bus was launched by Billy Branston, factory staff and Tesco representatives at the factory on Mere Road, Branston, on Tuesday, September 16.

Billy will make his first stop in Dunston on September 17. Schools can book a visit from Billy and his bus by contacting billy@branston.co.uk.

Branston Sales and Marketing Director, James Tuscott, said: “Initially, we wanted to tour the country spreading the good news story about potatoes.

“Then Tesco did their Eat Happy campaign, which explains to children what good healthy food looks like and how it gets from the supermarket shelves.

“It was an excellent opportunity for us to partner with that programme, and we are able to make much more noise about potatoes.

“The bus os 80% educational and 20% fun cooking. Children will be able to hop on board and gain and interactive insight into where their potatoes come from.

“We think this is something that will spark loads of enthusiasm in kids and it’s something that small businesses like our selves don’t get the opportunity to do very often.”

Lincoln print and document solutions firm Danwood has appointed a new Group Strategy and Marketing Director as part of a £5 million ‘refinement strategy’.

Douglas Greenwell comes from his role a Sales and Strategy Director for G4S, where he spent seven years managing revenue growth by focusing on improved sales processes and behaviours.

In his new role for Danwood, he will work with the sales team and lead the Professional Services business unit and the bid team.

He will also develop and implement new pricing strategies, strategic initiatives and strategy development processes and projects.

As previously reported, Danwood said it is investing £5 million into the company to further understand printing and document management needs of businesses across the UK and Ireland as well as revamp the business for customers and workflow processes.

Danwood CEO Steve Francis said: “With a proven track record of driving strategic change and growth, we’re thrilled to welcome Douglas to the company.

“His appointment will help us continue to deliver a distinct change in the document solutions market.”

Greenwell said: “The print industry is changing and Danwood has already developed a compelling proposition for leading the market in this change.

“I look forward to bringing my experience of customer-focused strategy development to the team helping Danwood become more widely recognised as a market leading brand.”

Lincoln businesses are being invited to a free workshop to learn how to protect themselves from computer viruses and internet security threats.

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 45% of small businesses in the UK have suffered with viruses or malicious software in the last year.

While the number has decreased, the scale and cost has nearly doubled.

In order to help protect businesses in Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council’s Onlincolnshire project will host a masterclass to teach firms how to stay safe from cyber threats.

The Lincoln workshop will run from 9.30am until 12pm on October 1 in the Lincoln Technology Hub at the University of Lincoln’s School of Art and Design.

The free masterclass will explain how viruses, malware and hackers can impact on business activities, the benefits of cloud computing and how to plan for disasters.

As well as internet safety, delegates can also get up to 12 hours fully funded support, which includes one-to-one business advice and consultancy.

It is open to all businesses in the area and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “With the number of internet security breaches affecting businesses in the UK rising, it is critical that Onlincolnshire provide this type of business support to help companies avoid threats and the risk of spending a lot of time and money fixing attacks.

“The average cost to a small business of its worst security breach is now between £65K and £115K which is money many companies can’t afford to lose and could put some out of business altogether.

“Organisations need to improve their understanding of the security threats they face so they can do more to protect themselves, and this is one way of doing that.”

On the same day, a second event will also take place in Horncastle, with the session will running from 2pm until 5pm at the Horncastle Technology Hub at Mortons Media Group.

To find out more or to book a place, call 0300 80 80 120 or email onlincolnshire@lincs-chamber.co.uk.

City of Lincoln Council leader Ric Metcalfe is urging businesses to vote ‘yes’ to keeping Lincoln Business Improvement Group (BIG) in place.

Executive council members will also have their vote on the matter next week.

Lincoln BIG has already won two successful elections in the past ten years and is now hoping it will get a mandate to continue its work on the development of the city centre economy.

Ric Metcalfe said: “There can be no doubt that Lincoln BIG has carried out some excellent work and brought huge benefits to the city by improving the experience of the city centre for those who live, work and visit here.

“Their work dovetails with the council’s own priority of growing the local economy, and also with the priorities identified in the city’s Growth Strategy for 2014-2034 – helping to create a great place, great access and great partnerships.”

As previously reported, ballot papers will be sent from September 25 to people at more than 800 businesses who will have until November 4 to register their vote on the future of Lincoln BIG.

Lincoln BIG already undertakes a range of work on behalf of the city – including operating the city centre wardens and dealing with security incidents; organising events such as Lincoln in Bloom, the Christmas ice rink and various street markets and managing bus and car parking deals.

BIG also currently runs the Lincoln Visitor Information Centre and Walk and Ride, plus supports Visit Lincoln and hosts the VisitLincoln.com team.

If successful again, Lincoln BIG has already laid out a strategy plan for the next five years, including a team of tour guides to meet the crowds travelling to Lincoln for the Magna Carta celebrations, the development of the walk-and-ride service and improved train service lobbying, a new loyalty scheme and a strategy to develop the evening economy.

Cllr Metcalfe added: “Lincoln BIG clearly provides excellent value for money, bringing in private sector investment totalling more than £350,000 each year. The group can also apply for grants and funding local councils are not eligible for.

“Without Lincoln BIG, it would be extremely difficult for any other organisation to build on or even continue the success the group have achieved.”

“Not only does Lincoln BIG play a vital role as an independent voice for businesses in the city centre, but the group organises more than 160 events every year, co-ordinates Lincoln in Bloom and supports the evening economy.

“This all contributes to a vibrant, safe and welcoming city centre that attracts residents, visitors and new business. For this reason I will be voting that the city council cast ‘yes’ votes in the Lincoln BIG ballot, and I hope my fellow councillors will do the same.”

The proposal states the levy will remain at 1% of rateable value, so the threshold of rateable value will be raised from £5,000 to £6,000.

The Executive will decide on its vote at a meeting on Monday, September 22.

Work on a new care home near Lincoln is well underway, marked with a special topping out ceremony on September 19.

Tennyson Wharf in Burton Waters by Castleoak will have 60 beds and offer high-quality residential, nursing and dementia care for older people in the neighbouring community.

It is expected to open early 2015 and will be operated by Barchester Healthcare.

The topping event was attended by Councillor Imghard Parrott and the local community.

Local pub manager, Matthew Gillett also attended: his idea to name the development Tennyson Wharf won him £500, which he chose to donate to Witham Hill Gymnastics Club.

Helen Wilson, General Manager at the new care home, said: “The topping out ceremony brings us a step closer to the day we welcome residents to this wonderful new home.

“I would like to thank everyone locally for the warm welcome we have already received and look forward to extending our hospitality to the local community when our Information Suite opens in late October.”

A Lincoln Mediterranean and Lebanese-style takeaway has been transformed into a 40-seat restaurant, overlooking The Strait and Lincoln High Street.

Lazeez, formerly occupied by Lincoln Tapas above The Mall Shopping Centre, offers a large reasonably-priced menu of traditional halal dishes.

Diners will not find alcohol on the menu at Lazeez, but the owners are welcoming a ‘bring your own booze’ system.

The business began life in March 2014 as a street-level takeaway, but business owner Ayman Sabi says “there’s a big gap in the Lincoln food scene for a Mediterranean restaurant”.

The restaurant opened its doors on September 17 and Ayman hopes to welcome customers to the refurbished eatery in the rooftops.

With the launch of their JustEat service this week, Ayman and chef Paz Eljay are looking to expand their staff and hear from potential waiters.

The restaurant will be open from 1pm until 11pm Monday to Thursday, and Fridays 3pm to 11pm, and offer a takeaway service from the bar and online.

The menu offers hot and cold starters from £3, mains including falafel, hummus and chargrilled meat and fish between £5 and £10.

There are blackboard specials served daily and the space will be available to hire for functions.

Lazeez owner Ayman said: “We have something on the menu for everyone, from the traditional Mediterranean-style to pizzas, calzones and pastas. There is a range of spice levels too.

“We also have some lovely traditional sickly sweets made of filo pastry and pistachios.

“We are both originally from Jordan, but I’ve been in the UK for 17 years and I’ve worked in London and other areas of Lincolnshire.

“Authentic Lebanese restaurants are very popular in places like London and Manchester, but I think this is a first for Lincoln.

“Everything is homemade, even our bread and the chargrilled flavour is our signature.”

To make a booking, people can call 01522 244720.

The Lincoln office of chartered surveyors Banks Long & Co has added three young members to its team.

Harriet Hatcher (26), Natalie Davies (25) and Charlie Johnson (26) have joined the firm in response to its growing needs of business and property owners in Lincoln, the East Midlands and even UK.

A strengthening commercial property market has been seen in Lincoln recently, with expansion moves and new retailers moving to the city and county.

Surveyor Harriet Hatcher, originally from Sleaford, trained at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, and has a degree in Property, Agency and Marketing. She worked in the land and development department of a five-agency practice in The Cotswolds before her new role in Lincoln.

Building surveyor Charlie Johnson (26), from Lincoln has a degree in building surveying from Nottingham Trent University. He worked for a housing association, then spent time with a Lincolnshire commercial surveying practice, applying to Banks Long & Co.

Management Surveyor Natalie Davies, has a degree in Real Estate from Nottingham Trent University. She gained commercial experience with another county firm, before joining Banks Long & Co.

She said: “I’m now part of a pro-active and responsive property management department, which looks after more than 70 sites and a total of over 600 units. These range from stand-alone buildings to shopping centres.

“I get involved in services ranging from the collection of rent to the administration of service charges, carrying out property inspections and ensuring leases are complied with and insurance cover is maintained.”

Banks Long & Co Director Tim Bradford said: “With confidence returning to the market, it was time to strengthen the team at Banks Long & Co.

“These appointments will allow the firm to continue providing the very best service to our clients. We are looking forward to all three surveyors fulfilling their potential
within the company.”

The duo behind a popular Lincoln bar are using their experiences to open a new city nightclub.

The owners of the Strait and Narrow on The Strait will open Second Nature on Mint Street, in the former Scy nightclub venue.

The new club which has been purchased freehold is due to open in November, has a capacity of 400 and promises to offer club-goers an alternative to the typical music played in Lincoln venues along with live acts.

It is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment, and so far is confirmed to offer a smokers’ balcony, but looks to create 12 jobs for the venue.

Owner Jez Nash said: “We’ve had great success in the city with our first bar Strait and Narrow and Second Nature is the natural progression of what we want to bring to Lincoln.

“We’re taking our mix of great music, unique take on drinks and providing a fun environment and applying that to a nightclub”.

Second Nature General Manager Andy Chowdére said: “The venue with its smaller capacity can concentrate on providing an experience that makes people want to come back.

“We love what we do for a living and we think that’s going to show.”

To apply for one of the jobs, visit the recruitment day held at Strait and Narrow on September 29 between 12-3pm.

The £22 million project to restore Lincoln Castle is in its final phase and staff are preparing to close the attraction for four months ahead of the big reveal.

Heritage developers are preparing to bow out after their part, as the project comes to a close in December.

From January to April 2015, staff will close the castle gates in order to make final preparations for the 2015 celebrations.

With six months to go before the April launch, Lincoln businesses are also preparing for a tourism boost.

Through the dedication of what developers have described as “a cast of hundreds”, the building is reaching the end of a 4-year makeover, complete with new modern facilities and educational installations.

Independent businesses from B&Bs to restaurants, and prominent project figures were invited to the Epic Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground on Tuesday, September 23, to learn about the project to date.

Approximately 150,000 people visit Lincoln Castle every year. An independent assessment concluded that the wider Lincoln Castle Revealed project could lead to a 29-55% increase in the overall value of Lincoln tourism.

This translates to a £36-68 million boost for the local economy and around 600-1,100 new jobs.

The renovations to the historic site include completion of the complete circuit castle walls (£4.9m), refurbishment of Lincoln Castle Prison and the new Magna Carta vault (£5.4m) and the The Heritage Skills Centre, which sustains traditional crafts (£1.5m).

The conference marked a poignant moment for construction company Woodhead Heritage, who are set to conclude works in time for Christmas 2014.

Simon Butler, Conservation Manager for Woodhead Heritage, said: “The Christmas completion date that we are looking at is seeming really soon. It’s going to be weird for me and the team as it’s been such a big part of our lives for so long.

“This is a historic building and an impressive monument. There was always going to be complications, the archeology is a great example.

“We were putting in the foundations for the lift tower when we started to find bone and then a Saxon Sarcophagus and a Saxon church that we never even knew was there.

“They are really great and interesting problems to have, but we did have to work out how to build around that issue.

“I look forward to returning as a visitor and experiencing the great attraction for myself.”

Tourism Development Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, Mary Powell, said: “Setting that six-month countdown is a very exciting thing to be able to do.

“We’ve invited business and tourism representatives to the conference today so that they get to grips with the scale of the project and what we have managed to achieve.

“I think that businesses should be preparing for a tourism boost when 2015 comes around. We saw Lincoln Castle as a catalyst for tourism and I think it’s important that people make the most of it.

“When I called the project Lincoln Castle Revealed I didn’t realise the significance of the word ‘revealed’.

“It becomes more and more evident that we are opening up buildings that have never been seen by the public before, we are revealing sections of the wall that people have never been able to walk along before, but also we are revealing fascinating discoveries that we have found throughout the archeology.

“Of course when we discovered the Saxon skeletons under the castle foundations that was an extremely important moment. We are still waiting on DNA results from the tests we carried out.

“We have had a facial reconstruction done of one of the Saxons which was fascinating. There was even a member of the team who had a PHD in noses behind that particular project.”

Architects behind the project have undertaken late design changes in order to dedicate three rooms to exhibit the discoveries made during the project.

The exhibition will be found within the female ward of the refurbished Victorian prison.

As part of the 2015 tourism preparations, Destination Management Organisations Visit Lincoln and Visit East Lincolnshire announced they will work with over 1,000 members of staff in the nationally-recognised Worldhost Customer Service qualification.

Lincolnshire businesses are being invited to see if they would cope in various emergency scenarios to help make firms more resilient.

Lincolnshire County Council will promote a Business Continuity week from October 13-17, the same week as Exercise Cygnus, a mock national flu pandemic exercise.

The week aims to help local business better prepare for various emergencies and consider how they would keep trading.

Each day will have a different theme:

• Monday – Premises. What would you do if you couldn’t access your usual place of work?
• Tuesday – Information. Could your business still deliver if it lost vital data?
• Wednesday – Suppliers. Your supplier lets you down. Can another help at short notice?
• Thursday – Staff. Your workforce is depleted through sickness. Do you have sufficient skills and knowledge to cope?
• Friday – Planning. Officers will be sharing a Business Continuity plan template which could keep your business in good shape during a crisis.

David Powell, Head of Emergency Planning for Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Emergencies such as a flu pandemic or a tidal surge would have huge potential to cause severe disruption to both the local community and economy.

“We are working with the Federation of Small Businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and Siemens in Lincoln to raise awareness of business continuity and encourage local companies, including health and social care providers, to consider how they could be more resilient.

“Having a business continuity plan makes good business sense. It’s about being able to continue to deliver services, or make products, in the event of an incident or disruption.

“If the worst should happen, this could help to minimise the effect on the local economy and protect important industries to Lincolnshire including tourism and agriculture.”

For more information and to download a Business Continuity Plan visit Business Lincolnshire or follow the Twitter throughout the week.

The number of binge drinking and anti-social behaviour incidents in Lincoln has dropped due to a two-year initiative.

Backed by £90,000 from the Department of Communities and Local Government’s Alcohol Fund, the Lincoln Evening Safety Project supported a 10% reduction in binge drinking, a 10% cut in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and the development of a multi-agency approach to tackle issues.

It was delivered by the City of Lincoln Council plus Lincoln BIG and its partners.

The project came after research in 2010 by Liverpool’s John Moores University put Lincoln in the top 10% of worst performing districts in England and Wales for drink-related hospital admissions for under-18s and alcohol-related recorded crimes.

Since then, all the project’s targets have been surpassed.

According to figures:

• Alcohol-specific hospital admissions for the under-18s were originally 87.2% per 100,000 head of population – the project contributed towards a 30% reduction
• Alcohol-related crimes originally stood at 10.2% for every 1,000 head of population – the project contributed towards 20.5% fall
• From April 2011 to March 2012 there were 870 incidents of alcohol-related anti social behaviour. At the end of the project, a 14.39% reduction was recorded.

The project also exceeded the challenges of delivering 1,200 extra hours of Evening Safety Warden activity; recruiting five new street pastors and providing support to at least 160 young people who had drunk too much.

The initiative engaged people in practical ways to solve drinking issues, such as mapping the night-time economy to spot patterns of alcohol-related disorder.

The project also boosted relationships between licensees, pubs and clubs and to educate people about the misuse of alcohol.

Lincoln BIG Evening Economy Manager Marion Cooney said: “We took a multi-agency approach by bringing together the Evening Safety Wardens, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Street Pastors and representatives from businesses and the local community.

“Everyone is acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that Lincoln remains a safe and welcoming place for residents and visitors looking for an enjoyable night out.

“It was recognised that anti-social behaviour is a serious issue amongst young people, particularly when clubs and pubs host promotional evenings, so we aimed to provide a highly visible presence in the city centre on weekday nights.”

She added: “There were many facets to this project, and we reached out to many different sections of the wider community, as well as providing a visible presence in the city centre.

“With funding from the project, we were able to deploy the Evening Safety Wardens on a Thursday evening – between the hours of 10pm and 4am – when many city bars run promotions. Of course, many off-licences are also open. The wardens provided an ambassadorial role, as well as a visible deterrent.”

The initiative also meant £20,000 in funding was ring-fenced so community groups could bid for money to set up their own projects to tackle issues.

“The winners included the Youth Education Project – BIG Society Bubble. This exciting project worked with around 1,770 young people, across seven Lincoln schools, where pupils watched the educational video “One Friday Night”.”

“Almost 100 different sessions were delivered, raising awareness of alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour. The programme was a great success and many schools asked for extra sessions.”

Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcomes of the Evening Safety Project, although it is recognised that this is not an area where the city can rest on its laurels.

“However, the valuable work achieved through this multi-faceted project will carry on, because the groups involved and the wealth of information gathered has created a firm foundation on which to build.”

A Lincoln consultant who has been helping clients achieve their weight loss goals for over three years has opened a new weight plan centre in uphill Lincoln.

Cambridge Weight Plan Centre, which has opened its doors above Energy Hair salon on Newport, offers individual health planning advice.

The centre offers a full range of products, one to one consultations and weekly weigh-ins.

Appointments at the centre available during the following hours:

• Monday – Closed
• Tuesday – 9am – 7pm
• Wednesday – 9am – 5pm
• Thursday – 9am – 8pm
• Friday – 9am – 6pm
• Saturday – 8am – 4pm
• Sunday – Closed

Weight plan consultant Martin Schoenbeck has a background as a medical herbalist and is focussed on a holistic approach to healthy eating.

Martin said: “I’ve now been consulting for Cambridge Weight Plan for three and a half years, and have been delighted to have helped hundreds of people lose significant amounts of weight and helped them towards a healthier and happier life.

“Last year, one of my clients was in the finals of the Slimmer of the Year Awards, as her story was inspirational – she’d lost five stone and turned some significant health issues around.

“I’m still in touch with Erin, and her mother also lost 4 stone in support of her daughter. They have both maintained their healthier weight for over a year now.

“We are also having a stall at the up-coming Lincoln Pride event, on Sunday, September 28, where people can pop along and see us and get more information.

“Cambridge turned 30 years old this year. It is a well respected, long established and well researched plan – dedicated to helping turn this serious health situation around!”

Lincolnshire County Council said it will have an out-of-city car park and shuttle service ready in time for the Magna Carta celebrations at Lincoln Castle in April 2015.

The £22 million four-year project to restore Lincoln Castle is in its final phase, and staff are preparing to close the attraction for three months from January to March ahead of the big reveal.

Approximately 150,000 people visit Lincoln Castle every year and it’s expected that the wider Lincoln Castle Revealed project could lead to a 29-55% increase in the overall value of Lincoln tourism.

However, recent forecasts of the expected level of visitors to Lincoln by car from June 2015 onwards suggests that there will be a shortage of around 800 car parking spaces in peak months in uphill Lincoln.

Les Outram, Senior Project Leader at Lincolnshire County Council, said a solution to cater for the extra tourists should be in place by April 2015.

He said: “We are currently finalising arrangements for an out-of-city car park and shuttle service to support tourism for the Lincoln Castle Revealed project.

“This provision will be ready for April next year, and we’ll be able to give more detail once arrangements have been agreed.”

Labour County Councillor Rob Parker, representing Lincoln West, said: “There is talk within the County Council of a ‘temporary’ facility at Whisby but nothing has been said official and nothing has been done so far.

“Plenty of people take the view that siting a temporary park and ride at Whisby would be putting the wrong sort of facility in the wrong location,” he added.

The renovations to Lincoln Castle include a complete circuit of the walls (£4.9m), refurbishment the Victorian prison, a new Magna Carta vault (£5.4m) and the The Heritage Skills Centre, which sustains traditional crafts (£1.5m).