More than £2 million was brought into Lincolnshire’s economy by hosting the British Cycling National Road Race Championships in June, according to a new study.

Figures compiled by Lincolnshire Sport have revealed that over £2.25 million was generated, with the world-class event bringing an estimated 30,000 visitors to the county.

The total amount raised was calculated through an online survey asking spectators, competitors and teams to provide information on their net spend on items such as food, accommodation and transport.

Of those surveyed, 98% said they would return to Lincoln for similar events in the future, with 58% saying they had been inspired to take up cycling or cycle more often as result of visiting the championships.

Marc Rhodes, Marketing and Events Officer at Lincolnshire Sport, who conducted the survey said: “It was fantastic to have such a high profile sporting event taking place in Lincolnshire and we are delighted to be able to demonstrate the benefits of hosting such events for the local economy and tourism, as well as seeing that many people have been inspired to take up cycling.”

The championships and supporting events attracted visitors from all over the United Kingdom and even as far afield as the United States, enhancing Lincolnshire’s reputation as a location for tourism and elite sport.

Ian Emmerson OBE, who has stood down from his role as the Lincoln Grand Prix organiser after this year’s championships, added: “The resultant economic benefit to the area of £2.25 million shows what an event of this magnitude can bring to the county and is a fitting return for the support given to the championships by the local authorities and sponsors.

“The return also gained from the many hours of live television coverage and subsequent recorded transmissions is unmeasurable but was publicity for the county that would cost millions to buy.

“The ongoing benefits to the economy will also come from those visiting for the first time and returning in the future plus the health benefits coming from more wanting to take up cycling and other exercise.”

Read our cover interview with the new Lincoln Grand Prix organiser Dan Ellmore in Issue 38 0f Lincolnshire Business magazine.

A £33,000 masterplan, outlining the vision for the development of the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park (LSIP) over the next decade, has been approved by City of Lincoln Council’s Executive.

The ambitious £50 million project aims to transform the 12.16 hectares of land off Tritton Road and adjacent to the Western Growth Corridor into a focal point for science and technology innovation and investment across the region.

The draft masterplan was approved and endorsed by the city council, in the context of its adopted Growth Strategy at a meeting on August 3.

City of Lincoln Council, in partnership with LSIP Ltd (University of Lincoln and Lincolnshire Co-op) appointed LDA Design in April 2014, to produce a masterplan for the site, which has divided the project into four distinct phases.

Phase 1 consists of the already completed Think Tank, Joseph Banks Laboratories and Minster House.

Rounding off phase 1 is the £6.75 million Boole Technology Centre, with work expected to begin this month and to take around nine months to complete.

The centre will be a combination of laboratories, workshops, officer technical equipment and shared working space.

Phase 2, which will go before planning in the early part of 2016, occupies the land to the west of phase 1 and Poplar Avenue.

This phase consists of the already completed privately owned HomeLet Building and could also space for investors, research and innovation institutes and social facilities.

The proposed development of phase 3 to the far west of the site would see a road constructed to link the end of Ruston Way with the end of Beevor Street, thereby creating a continuous loop road serving the park and providing access to development plots between it and the railway.

Phase 4 is located to the south of Beevor Street on land currently occupied by the large warehouses.

The proposals consist of a series of larger single or double storey buildings whose height reflects the height of the current warehouses.

Where the proposed buildings are single storey the large volume allows for a wide range of uses such as:

• Engineering laboratories
• Testing facilities
• Conference space
• Cinema
• Film studios

The total cost of producing the draft masterplan has been £33,485.50 with funding coming in the form of equal donations of £15,229.25 from LSIP Ltd and the city council, plus £3,000 from Lincolnshire County Council.

Read more about the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park vision from its director Tom Blount in Issue 23 of Lincolnshire Business magazine.

Residents across the county have the opportunity to shave hundreds of pounds off their energy bills through the Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme.

Householders who signed up for the last round of the scheme through their local councils saved an average of £220.85 on their energy bills.

Every Lincolnshire resident, whether they are homeowners or renting in the county can register online on the energy switch scheme website.

Annual gas or electric statements, or bills covering the last 12 months, are needed to complete the application process.

Once applicants register their interest, energy suppliers are then invited to compete with their best offers at an auction.

Offer letters stating the potential savings are then sent to residents’ addresses or by email and lower bills could be among the offers.

Anyone not able to register online can register offline at their local council offices or by calling 0800 048 8439 until 5pm on Monday October 12.

The scheme is organised by Boston Borough Council, City of Lincoln Council, East Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, South Kesteven District Council, North Kesteven District Council and West Lindsey District Council and is administered by the UK’s leading collective switching expert, iChoosr Ltd.

The scheme is open to all energy users, whether residents are on dual fuel, electric only, pay monthly or quarterly or have a prepayment meter.

There is no obligation for people to accept their personal offer, but if they do it’s easy and straightforward and the new provider will take care of the whole process.

Karen Lond, lead officer for Lincolnshire councils said: “This is another great opportunity for householders to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills.

“Registering is really simple and there is nothing to lose by and seeing if the winning supplier at the auction in October beats your current energy prices. If they do, you could be on your way to some timely savings on your bills later in 2015.

“Thousands of people across the county have already switched energy providers from our auctions in the last two years and pocketed the big saving, why not join them?”

A sports coaching organisation in Lincoln has entered the summer spirit by giving their unique take on Taylor Swift’s hit song Shake It Off.

Staff at Synergy Sports Coaching spent what would otherwise have been a quiet day in the office singing, dancing and miming along to the song, which went to number two in the UK charts and was nominated for for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2015 Grammy Awards.

After sharing their entertaining performance on YouTube and Facebook, the group wrote: “Taylor Swift has absolutely nothing on us! Here’s what happens when we get a full day in the office… For everyone’s sanity please book your children onto our summer holiday clubs.”

Synergy Sports Coaching is based on The Terrace on Grantham Street in Lincoln city centre.

The organisation works in partnership with schools across Lincolnshire, coaching kids in sports ranging from football and cricket to gymnastics and dodgeball.

They also hold clubs during every school holiday period with each club consisting of fun games, competitive matches, skill schools, tournaments, penalty shootouts and coaching sessions.

More information can be found on their website.

After the success of the Lincoln Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations, a new training and networking programme has been launched to help businesses in the city’s arts, cultural and tourism scene come together.

Lincoln Cultural & Arts Partnership (LCAP) has launched Culture Connects, which is designed to get events organisers, venues, artists, hospitality and tourism businesses liaising and helping one another.

The programme, which is backed by Arts Council England funding through the Cultural Destinations project, features a series of ‘Culture Cafés’ and masterclass events, which will run between August and early December.

Events build on commitments laid out by LCAP, a consortium of nine organisations – Lincoln BIG, the Visit Lincoln Partnership, Lincolnshire Chamber, the University of Lincoln, City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln Drill Hall and Lincoln Cathedral.

The first of the Culture Café breakfast meetings is due to take place at Stokes on High Bridge, Lincoln on August 11 from 8am, where attendees will hear about the upcoming Festival800.

Lincoln BIG and Visit Lincoln say that bringing people working in different sectors together will allow them to grow Lincoln’s cultural events programme and ensure it is sustainable for the future.

Matt Corrigan, Lincoln BIG Chief Executive, explained: “The programme aims to support and sustain the city’s cultural and visitor economy. We want everyone to be pulling in the same direction to ensure we maximise every events opportunity.

“Sessions will focus on business planning, funding, digital marketing, networking and sharing events insights. Delegates at its inaugural conference in February recognised that there are huge potential benefits to be gained by combining the strengths of the arts, cultural and visitor sectors.”

Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager Emma Tatlow said: “The series of Culture Café sessions and Masterclasses aim to get everyone talking about what cultural events mean for them, individually, and to explore how they can work together to make these an even bigger success.

“Sessions will feature briefings for key events, including the Frequency Festival, social media and digital marketing, heritage and the arts, developing new fundraising income streams and The Arts and Happiness.

“The programme will strengthen people’s individual skills and create a clearer understanding of the important role that these type of events play in growing the tourism sector and boosting the visitor economy.”

Businesses and organisations wishing to book places should visit the Lincoln BIG website.

For the latest dispatch of business news from across Lincolnshire delivered in your inbox every Friday, subscribe to the Lincolnshire Business magazine.

Dedication, hard work and an appreciation for history has been drilled into David Ross, Lincolnshire’s first billionaire and now a passionate philanthropist. His parents taught him strong values, good work ethic and inspired his love for Lincoln Cathedral. Now at the age of 50, he is one of the UK’s top businessmen and ranked 108th in The Sunday Times Rich List 2015 with a net worth of just over £1 billion.

Son of the fishing tycoon John Ross, David saw both his grandfather and father chair Grimsby’s only listed company, Cosalts. He understood the meaning of hard work and has put it into practice ever since.

This feature interview was first published in issue 40 of the Lincolnshire Business weekly magazine, now available to read at www.lincsbusiness.co. Subscribe to the email newsletter to receive the latest edition in your inbox this Friday.

The man who aspired to be a chartered accountant with a Law degree from the University of Nottingham, soon found that this was not his only passion. He co-founded Carphone Warehouse and Talk Talk, which saw him make his fortune over the years. However, with an interest in philanthropy, he is using his wealth to create more opportunities through the David Ross Foundation for underprivileged children and young adults. Now David also supports 33 academies across Lincolnshire and Northampton.

But his generosity didn’t stop there. With his passion for history and always keeping Lincolnshire close to his heart, David donated £1.5 million to the Lincoln Castle Revealed project. The money allowed for a new home for one of Lincoln’s most treasured pieces of history, the David P. J. Ross Magna Carta Vault.

Taking a chance

It was not long after graduating that David decided to take a chance with school friend Charles Dunstone, and in 1991, they opened up the first Carphone Warehouse store. With an investment pot of around £15,000 left to him by his grandfather, David and Charles went into business together, having no idea just how successful they would become.

“I don’t think it was so much coming up with an idea as thinking that one day more people would want mobile phones. In retrospect that was the right thing to believe at the time,” David explained.

“A mobile phone is a great advantage to you for a business because it meant that you didn’t need to have your wife or a PA on the phone. You could take your phone and you would be doing your job. So you could actually save a lot of money and it could make your business a lot more efficient. But nobody was really catering for the small, self employed part of the market and that was where we went to in the first place.

“One of the earliest stores that we had was in Harlow on an industrial estate next to a big B&Q and a McDonald’s. So all these self employed tradesmen would come in, buy what they needed at B&Q, get their breakfast at McDonald’s and then buy their mobile phone from us. It went really well.”

After a couple of years the mobile phone business changed and David started to introduce a number of consumer tariffs. In only four short years, David and Charles had expanded Carphone Warehouse to 20 stores across the UK.”

The full cover interview with David Ross is available to read in full here. For the latest dispatch of business news from across Lincolnshire delivered in your inbox every Friday, subscribe to the Lincolnshire Business magazine.

Lincoln-based Streets Chartered Accountants has been given a number one ranking after a recent review of the UK’s top 50 accountancy firms’ websites.

The review, which was carried out by one of the profession’s leading magazines Accountancy Age, scored the website nine out of ten – putting it at joint first place with five other firms.

The independent survey was carried out in light of the recent changes to search engine Google’s algorithm. The changes favour, in search terms and criteria, those sites with relevant content and also those that are mobile friendly for smartphone and tablet users.

Google’s move has, in part, been driven by the increasing use of non desktop based internet access.

The focus of the survey was around firms’ websites from the viewpoint of a prospective, current or potential client. Points were awarded for usability, look and feel, content and unique selling points.

The judges complimented Streets on its website saying: “It has a professional and friendly appeal for new and existing clients.

“The site’s content including service and sector detail, client area and portal and knowledge section with ‘how-to’s is easy to find. The media and communication page is very detailed and the site is mobile friendly.”

James Pinchbeck, Marketing Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, said: “The survey results came out of the blue and are very rewarding.

“We pride ourselves as a firm on being at the forefront of marketing within the profession, with a growing focus on the use of digital marketing.

“Our ranking in this survey independently acknowledges that what we are doing works. However, with the rapidly changing world of the internet and digital marketing we cannot rest on our laurels and with this in mind we have already embarked on the next generation of our website.

“The new site will respond not only to the changing needs of its users, but will also seek to be an even more effective source of information and knowledge.

“It will serve as a platform for business activity with the integration of client portals and bill payments. Our focus now will be on achieving the much coveted score of ten out of ten.”

For the latest dispatch of business news from across Lincolnshire delivered in your inbox every Friday, subscribe to the Lincolnshire Business magazine.

Motoring fans in Lincoln are looking forward to a brand new event on the city’s summer calendar, which promises a great day out for all the family.

Independent garage owners have teamed-up with Lincoln BIG to stage the
first-ever Lincolnshire Motor Show on the city’s Brayford Waterfront on Sunday. August 16.

Lincoln Volkswagen Specialists Managing Director Andy Bower said: “Lots of
independent garages support a wide range of different car marques. Their owners, and the mechanics they employ, are very knowledgeable about various models.

“I got in touch with Lincoln BIG because we thought it would be a great idea if
we got together and introduced ourselves to a wider group of people, in a setting where they could see the types of cars we work on and chat to us.

“We wanted them to be confident of receiving impartial advice, without being under any pressure to buy a vehicle.”

As well as having the chance to talk to experts in dealing with a range of different
makes of vehicle, from Volkswagen to Vauxhall, Citroen, BMW and Mercedes,
visitors to the Brayford Waterfront will also be able to admire customised and highly
tuned vehicles in the Performance Cars section.

Visitors can look out for vehicles such as REVO Performance with cars from the VAG world and enjoy supercars, such as an Ariel Atom and Ferraris.

Local car clubs, including Lincoln RS Owners Club, Lincs Driver Car Club, LN Custom and Louth Classic Car Club, will also be showcasing their vehicles and there
will be a truck tractor unit, camper vans and even a vintage tractor towed by a
Land Rover and trailer.

The event runs from 10am through to 5pm and it will also feature music from live bands. Visitors may also catch a glimpse of the county’s own ‘Elvis’.

Money raised by the event is going to support The Lincoln Gymnastic Club, who will be holding a tombola.

There will also be an award up for grabs for the Car of Show.

Lincoln BIG Events and Promotions Manager Michael Armstrong said: “The Brayford
Waterfront has become increasingly well-known for our motoring events. We are
delighted to be adding another to a range which already includes our camper van, mini and motorcycling days.

“We hope families will enjoy our latest event and the refreshments offered by the many restaurants in this part of the city. People can also pop into town and do a
spot of shopping and even take a look at our Lincoln Charter Barons Trail.”

Find out more on the event Facebook page.

A car retailer is investing £2 million in the expansion of its Audi dealership in Lincoln.

Redevelopment of the two acre site on Doddington Road will include an extension, doubling the size of the existing showroom and customer areas which will incorporate a first floor service lounge as well as two vehicle handover rooms.

The new showroom will also boast the latest multimedia integration with interactive screens.

The project is due to be completed by next spring and has been funded by JCT600, a motor firm with 50 dealerships in the north of England.

All departments at Lincoln Audi will be open as usual during the redevelopment, housed in neighbouring offices and in temporary on site accommodation.

Mark Taylor, Group Property Director of JCT600, said: “This will transform our Lincoln dealership, bringing it in line with Audi’s newest, state-of-the-art showroom design.

“One of the most unusual features will be a ‘customer private lounge’ concept which incorporates a relaxed interactive touch screen experience, enabling the customer to design their own new car.

“The refurbishment promises to enhance customers’ visits with many additional facilities as well as completely refreshing the showroom internally and externally.

“It will house the largest selection of Audi vehicles in Lincolnshire with over 80 new and pre-owned Audi cars on display.”

Audi Lincoln has operated for over 20 years and employs 100 staff. It offers a full range of new and Audi approved pre-owned vehicles as well as service and maintenance facilities.

A bar in the centre of Lincoln has been granted a new licence to remain open until 4am all week – just months since its opening hours were reduced on police advice.

As previously reported, Status had its closing time cut to 3am by City of Lincoln Council at a licensing review in March after Lincolnshire Police had identified serious concerns over reported crimes and incidents at the bar.

Innovation Pub Management Limited, who operate 30 bars, clubs and hotels, appealed the decision in court, and at the same time applied for a new premises licence.

Michael Kheng of Kurnia Licensing made the application on behalf of the company, offering more conditions than on the previous licence and for alcohol sales and entertainment to both finish at 4am.

At a hearing on August 4, a decision was made to restore the 4am closing time, albeit with extra conditions.

Status will now be required to operate a last entry time of 3am, except for existing customers who have left the bar, which is based on Silver Street.

An agreement was also reached between Status and Lincolnshire Police on suitable door supervision of the premises.

Paul Weeks, Director of Innovation Pub Management Limited, said: “I’m pleased with the result and I just want to continue trading as usual and build the business at Status.”

A 130 year old family business in Lincoln said it will continue trading after it suffered a devastating fire this weekend due to an electrical fault.

Emergency services were called to the fire at Foster & Son on Monks Road just before 9pm on Saturday, August 8. Three fire engines attended the scene and the blaze was confirmed out by 9.40pm with no casualties.

Investigations carried out by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue believe that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault. The building has suffered from heavy smoke damage.

Brothers Mark and Paul Foster are the sixth generation of the Fosters family to run the independent business over the last 130 years.

They have confirmed that although the butchers shop will remain closed for the time being, the catering and bakery side of the business will continue. They expect to be able to continue the cooked meat orders from Tuesday, August 11.

Mark and Paul Foster said: “We’re absolutely gutted. We have worked hard all our life to build the business with the help of our staff.

“I got notified by the alarm and one of my neighbours and I felt like it was a dream, like it wasn’t happening to me. I just felt numb.

“We are trying very hard to carry on. We are trying to give our catering customers the best we can.

“There was a lot smoke damage rather than fire damage. It will be a big job and we have lost absolutely everything including knifes and fridges. We are working closely with the insurance people at the moment.

“We want to say thank you to everyone who has offered their help and support, from our friends, colleagues and everyone who have given 100%.

“We would like to ask our customers to bare with us and, although they may need to use somewhere else in the meantime, we look forward to seeing them again when we reopen.

“The good wishes that we have had from everyone has been amazing. They want to stay with us and help in any way that they can. They give us the strength to carry on.”

The Gateway, the new student flats on the Tritton Road roundabout in Lincoln, will be used for a training exercise from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue on Monday, August 17.

Crews, fire engines and associated equipment will be at the eight storey student accommodation block from 4.30pm to 9pm for the exercise. No road closures are expected.

The building is owned by Jackson & Jackson Developments and will give firefighters realistic training conditions.

Dan Moss, Deputy Divisional Commander at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “It is important to test our firefighters on a regular basis.

“We know that as the landscape changes and develops in Lincoln and the surrounding towns, we need to be training in as realistic conditions as possible.

“This ensures our crews are ready for the wide variety of operational scenarios that they may be faced with in new and more complex building types.

“The eight storey student flats are the perfect place for us to test our crews. There are many interweaving corridors, staircases, lift shafts and rooms off rooms, which will enable us to develop appropriate rescue strategies.

“We have chosen this time of day to try to minimise disruption to the public. We are not anticipating any road closures in the area.”

Cameron Jackson, Co-owner of Jackson & Jackson Developments, said: “It is important that local businesses continue to support the emergency services. We are keen to ensure that our properties will keep our residents safe, and what better way to test that than with the local fire brigade.”

As the Bomber Command Memorial Spire, the pinnacle of Lincoln-based Place Architecture’s mark on the city landscape, rose over Canwick Hill, company founder Stephen Palmer claimed a proud moment in his career; not only was 2015 a year for memorable creative achievements, but it was also the start of a cross-boundary expansion which may end up doubling the size of his business.

From the firm’s current Westgate base, in a redesigned former toy museum, Place Architecture has signed off an impressive portfolio of projects including local schools, adult care facilities and space-savvy, urban regeneration schemes. Now, some 30 years on from the company’s first steps, Stephen’s practice has expanded its reach across the border to Yorkshire and the North East, with new doors opening up rapidly.

This feature interview was first published in issue 41 of the Lincolnshire Business weekly magazine, now available to read at www.lincsbusiness.co. Subscribe to the email newsletter to receive the latest edition in your inbox this Friday.

For the accomplished director, the journey from art-crazed schoolboy to sought-after businessman stemmed from early family inspirations. “Dad (Maurice) was an architect too,” he explained. “His business took off in the 50s when everything was being rebuilt after the war. He went around various towns with a number of development companies, and my siblings and I were brought up on the journey. I was born in Hull and my sisters in other areas until my youngest brother was born in Lincoln, by which time my family had settled in a house dad built on Carline Road.

“My dad actually tried to put me off architecture. He said ‘you’ll never make any money doing this,’ and I said ‘I don’t really care!’ It’s never really been about getting rich. Obviously I grew up seeing what dad did in his office and the work really suits my temperament. I like organising things, I like practical stuff and being artistic; and that’s what architecture is all about. I don’t think there is a single job that has got so much breadth of interest.”

Despite admitting to an inner yearning to spend his days on a farm or sailing, 60-year-old Stephen says architecture was a career made for him. From Leicester to London, and back to the city where he grew up, it’s clear that his roots are now firmly set in Place.

To the capital and back

As a determined Lincoln School student, Stephen’s passion for design wasn’t going to be shelved by a limiting curriculum. Going to a grammar school, he explained, there weren’t many opportunities to pursue subjects like art. “Therefore I actually had to go to the art school on Saturday mornings when I was doing my O-levels just to keep it up. In sixth form I thought ‘I’m going to do it anyway’ and I did it in my free period as an extra subject whilst carrying on with the art school at the weekends to learn how to draw.”

Stephen went on to study for his Royal Institute of British Architects part 1 qualification in 1972 at the City of Leicester Polytechnic, before a three-year gap almost saw him plunge into a career in the Merchant Navy. “When I came out in ’75 there was a recession on and there weren’t many jobs around. My dad couldn’t afford to take me on, his practice was very small, so I took some time out.”

The full cover interview with Stephen Palmer is available to read in full here. For the latest dispatch of business news from across Lincolnshire delivered in your inbox every Friday, subscribe to the Lincolnshire Business magazine.

Lincoln’s visitor economy grew by 5% in a single year, according to new figures.

A study commissioned by City of Lincoln Council for 2013-2014 revealed that tourism contributed £176 million to the overall economy, supporting over 2,000 jobs.

The largest area of growth was visitors staying in paid accommodation, with the numbers of day visitors and those staying with friends and family also rising.

Emma Tatlow, manager of Visit Lincoln, said: “It is encouraging that we continue to see year on year growth – and we anticipate that with the Magna Carta 800th anniversary, investment in Lincoln Castle, the stunning events the city has played host to this year that we will see even more growth in 2015.

“A vibrant visitor economy supports so many businesses throughout the city and the wider supply chain.

“Accommodation businesses have seen growth of 7.6%, but the restaurants, retail and transport sectors also see a benefit from an increase in the number of visitors to the area.

“The research also showed that the city’s visitor economy supports 2,410 jobs (FTEs).”

Growth the city experienced during this period was on a par with the National Tourism Target of 5%.

Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Economic Regeneration at City of Lincoln Council, added: “These figures are great news for the city and demonstrate the importance of tourism to boosting the local economy.

“One of the city council’s main priorities is to grow the local economy and we continue to do whatever we can to support growth, which helps to create jobs and has a knock-on, positive effect across the whole city.

“The fact that the visitor economy is continuing to grow year on year is testament to the hard work being carried out by several organisations to raise Lincoln’s profile.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors to this year’s Christmas market and we’re confident the visitor economy will grow again next year following all the exciting events we’ve seen in 2015.”

Work is officially underway on a new business development in North Hykeham which has the scope to provide almost 300 jobs in coming years.

The £2m North Kesteven District Council project will create 19 new industrial units at Blackwood Court on North Hykeham’s Teal Park.

A turf cutting ceremony, led by NKDC’s Deputy Leader Councillor Mike Gallagher and developer Lindum Group Ltd’s Chairman David Chambers, kicked off the build on August 17.

The units should be completed by mid February, with lettings likely to commence around the New Year.

Ranging in size from 500 square feet to 2,000 sq ft, and for wide ranging uses from storage and distribution to general industrial, these units are a further expression on the council’s £21 million capital programme for supporting business growth.

Totalling 20,000 sq ft, Blackwood Court will be adjacent to private commercial investment of larger industrial units starting at 2,000 sq ft in size and bring NKDC’s estate of business workshop units up to 101 – which are in significant demand.

Over a 25 year period it is anticipated that the units will support 98 businesses, creating and safeguarding at least 280 jobs.

Councillor Gallagher said: “North Kesteven District Council’s Executive Board took the courageous decision to forge ahead with this development to create opportunities for businesses to set up, grow and relocate into the District, which is highly regarded as a dynamic place to trade from.

“North Kesteven is an area of significant economic success, with low unemployment and a high degree of success of new start-up businesses and I anticipate that these 19 units will make a significant contribution to maintaining and developing further economic vibrancy in this area.”

Under the GrowLN6 project, the wider LN6 area is a focus for coordinated partnership work by NKDC, City of Lincoln Council and the County Council to attract new inward business investment and expansion.

The Council’s existing portfolio of business units has seen a continued 100% occupancy rate for a couple of years.

They are let and managed by Hodgson Elkington, whose senior partner Sam Elkington said: “There is a continuing need for smaller flexible industrial space south west of Lincoln and I anticipate that the combination of modern premises in an excellent location, and on flexible lease terms, will provide much needed supply for an obvious gap in the market.”

Teal Park is a strategic allocated employment site, granted outline planning permission in 2011 for a total of 133,720m2 of employment floorspace, a hotel, public house, leisure and trade showrooms.

It is home to Siemens’ industrial gas turbine service business which occupies around a third of the space.

If Iain Lister is short of anything, it’s certainly not ambition or the courage to go after his dream. Having only worked for one company before being headhunted and joining the Greenray team, Iain had strong ideas about what he wanted out of his career and headed straight for it, becoming the Managing Director of Greenray, and his own boss.

With an active lifestyle, playing football, rugby and just generally trying to keep up with his four boys aged 3-14, it is a wonder that Iain, 44, has the additional energy and drive to put so much effort into growing a company.

When he took on the business in 2012, there were 19 members of staff. In only two short years, this has risen to around 100 staff, including Iain’s wife Jessica, and he has managed to increase the turnover to £32 million.

This feature interview was first published in issue 42 of the Lincolnshire Business weekly magazine, now available to read at www.lincsbusiness.co. Subscribe to the email newsletter to receive the latest edition in your inbox this Friday.

Prior to joining the Greenray Group in 2007, Iain had only ever worked for Alstom. He worked hard to find his way up the career ladder, expecting to one day reach the top, but even after 17 years of working at the company, there always seemed to be something that was stopping him from feeling happy and fulfilled.

“I was the director of a large company and even though I was a director, I couldn’t spend £5,000 on equipment without getting the signature of my boss’ boss. Literally. It was getting stupid,” said Iain.

“I always said that I would never be in that position. I always wanted to be in the position where I could make decisions for myself and you win and you lose on your own merit. That was a bit scary at times.”

The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward

Then one day in 2007 Iain receive a call from a headhunter, offering him the opportunity to apply for the position of Operations Director. “I had to go through a five stage interview process. At the time I had been in my existing roll for five years and Alstom was changing in terms of how it was going to move forward. I thought that I would either stay with Alstom for the rest of my life or I will move and do something different. So I decided to join Greenray.”

Iain could feel the pressure and knew it would be a huge challenge to leave the only company he had known, to take a chance on a much smaller business and hope it would be just successful.

“At the time I left Alstom with a large number of share options, which I had to give up. So it was a big risk for me, giving up quite a few share options in the business, which were quite valuable, to then come to a small business that had 19 people, compared to 300 people. A £7 million business compared to a £50 million business was a big risk for me at the time.”

The full cover interview with Iain Lister is available to read in full here. For the latest dispatch of business news from across Lincolnshire delivered in your inbox every Friday, subscribe to the Lincolnshire Business magazine.

After a 25-year career in the fashion industry, entrepreneur Jules White has made the move from London to Lincoln to open a new women’s clothing store.

Salt Lincoln is set for an opening date of September 5 on St Benedicts Square, providing shoppers in the city with a luxurious, sustainable and modern collection.

The venture, which has created two new jobs, came about when Jules saw an opportunity in the thriving High Street of Lincoln.

She said: “Having worked in the fashion industry for 25 years, from managing small boutiques and large high street chains, has motivated me to to find the right brands that work for everyone.

“Salt offers collections from laid back Danish luxe, to stepping out in that sexy dress that gives not too much away and lets you feel confident whatever your age.

“Having moved from around the London area and seen the high streets in the south suffer from high rents and escalating rates, I saw an opportunity in Lincoln and wanted to bring something different to the High Street.

“All our brands are small business with a focus on sustainability, beautiful fabrics and individuality.”

Among brands featured in store is Coster Copenhagen; a Danish brand which helps poor Chinese women get away from urban factories, nature-inspired Becksondergaard and Nooki London; a collection of dresses, kimonos and bags.

More details about the collection can be found on the shop website.

People browsing on opening day, can also enjoy a 10% discount.

A new car park with 100 spaces in the centre of Lincoln has now opened.

The car park is located at Viking House on Brayford Wharf North, which is owned by Jackson & Jackson Developments Ltd.

Access to the car park comes from Carholme Road, with two points of exit either via the Brayford or back onto Carholme Road.

Hourly parking rates offer up to six hours, as well as early bird (before 9am) and evening (after 6pm) rates.

The building and car park were previously used by Mouchel, who provided a number of HR and ICT services for Lincolnshire County Council before the contract was signed over to Serco.

Dominik Jackson of Jackson & Jackson Developments Ltd said: “The lack of general parking in the city centre is a major concern and Viking House is particularly well suited with a number of major works ongoing in the city at present.

“Every additional parking space is of help at present.”

Matt Frow, Director of Parkit Management Ltd, who operate the car park on behalf of Jackson & Jackson Developments Ltd, said: “My reason for approaching the site was due to the current issue over parking in Lincoln with road closures as well as the impending closure of two popular car parks in the city centre outside of the train station.

“We believe the car park to be ideally located for shoppers, hotels, cinema and people using the bars and restaurants on the waterfront.

Lincolnshire Co-op has unveiled plans to bring new retailers, jobs and a super-sized Lidl supermarket to the Carlton Centre off Outer Circle Road.

The society, which owns the site, is in talks with Lidl about relocating from its current unit to an area opposite the Carlton Centre, currently used by Super Hand Car Wash.

The move, facilitated through agents Banks Long and Co would mean Lidl would have a bigger store with a larger product range and dedicated car park.

Three separate units would be created by converting the current Lidl store, attracting new retailers to the centre.

Banks Long and Co Managing Director Tim Bradford said: “We believe introducing new retailers and allowing Lidl to expand what it offers will give existing shoppers more choice and attract more people to the area, increasing footfall for the benefit of all the businesses.”

Banks Long and Co are currently in discussions with retailers keen to take the three new units which would be created.

Once businesses are signed up, Lidl would apply for planning permission from the City of Lincoln Council to build a new supermarket.

If planning permission is granted for the new Lidl outlet, Lincolnshire Co-op would then look to relocate Super Hand Car Wash within the area.

Mike Devine, Lidl UK Acquisitions Consultant, said: “Our Lincoln Carlton Centre store is testament to the support that we’ve received from the local community and we look forward to providing new and existing customers with a bigger and brighter new Lidl store.”

An up-and-coming trend in the skincare industry has made its way to Lincoln city centre with the opening of the city’s first high-tech oxygen clinic.

Skincare-conscious men and women will be able to follow in the footsteps of their favourite Hollywood A-listers when Intraderma opens on St Benedict’s Square.

Chartered surveyor Banks Long & Co has leased a unit to Nick Metcalfe, who has teamed-up with Aussie-brand Intraceuticals, which pioneered the oxygen facial in the UK in 2003.

The new salon is due to welcome its first customers on September 7.

He says the type of treatment and its range of complementary creams have grown to be a favourite with celebrities, particularly in America, Canada and New Zealand.

Over the past few years salons have also been springing-up in the UK, most notably in the London area, and the system is also used in spas and by plastic surgeons.

Nick, who is creating 3 new jobs, said the treatment uses pressurised oxygen to deliver serums and other active products deep into the skin.

People can pre-book now for £80 on the website (RRP £150).

“I wanted to offer people in the Lincoln area something new and the premises I’ve taken in St Benedict’s Square are ideal because they are so central, and will attract passing footfall too,” said Nick.

No stranger to the beauty industry, Nick once worked as an account manager for Clarins in Lincoln’s Boots and Debenhams stores, before joining his family’s business training students with dyslexia.

“I met a former beauty sector colleague, who is now a national sales manager for Intraceuticals, and we got talking about what salons might be interested in the oxygen facial concept in Lincolnshire and I decided I wanted to get back into the industry by offering them myself,” added Nick.

Banks Long & Co Surveyor Harriet Hatcher said: “This is a popular area, which attracts the attention of shoppers and visitors using the city’s High Street and also other people who are constantly walking through St Benedict’s Square to and from the Brayford Waterfront, the University of Lincoln Campus and the St Marks shopping area.”