Lincolnshire Co-op has signed up its 250,000th member, and will be sharing the celebration with 100 other customers.
Ray Cooke was the quarter of a millionth member to sign up for a dividend card at the Old Leake Food Store near Boston.
He bagged himself £250 in dividend as well as £250 for his store’s Community Champion, the Bennington Community Heritage Trust.
Some 100 other existing members will also receive £25 in divided to celebrate the membership milestone and winners will be notified on their till receipts.
A quarter of a million members marks how far Lincolnshire Co-op has come since its humble beginnings in 1861, when the founders first joined together to work co-operatively to get decent food, healthcare and education.
Community Liaison Representative at the store Kelly Game said she was pleased that a regular customer had been the 250,000th to sign up: “We see Ray in the shop every day and he’s always really friendly, so I’m glad he was the one to benefit from the spot-prize.”
Member Engagement Manager Richard Whittaker said: “Members always get more for shopping with us so we thought we’d acknowledge what a special moment this is with an extra reward.”
Homes and businesses in the most remote areas around the county will now be able to benefit from subsidised satellite broadband connections if they are unable to obtain an affordable broadband service of at least 2mbps.
This is part of a new government scheme which has been rolled out over December 2015 to make sure that every home and business in the UK can access speeds of at least 2mbps by the end of the year.
Some 300,000 properties across the UK are expected to benefit from the offer.
A code, which will be provided by local authorities, could provide a reduction in the cost of installation, commissioning and 12 monthly subscriptions by around £350.
Residents and businesses will be responsible for paying any remaining cost of installation and commissioning, choosing the features of the satellite broadband service they require, and for paying the monthly subscription for the service they selected.
The current rollout of superfast broadband is on track to deliver coverage to 95% of the UK by 2017 but the government want to help those with the slowest connections by providing an immediate boost to their available speeds ahead of any future improvements planned.
Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: “Our rollout of superfast broadband has already reached an additional 3.5 million homes and businesses who would otherwise have missed out.
“We are making tremendous progress, but it’s a massive engineering project and won’t happen overnight. This scheme offers immediate assistance to those homes and businesses in Lincolnshire with the slowest speeds and is all part of our transformation of the UK’s digital landscape.”
More information on the operation of the scheme in Lincolnshire can be found on the Broadband Programme website.
2015 was an exhilarating year for business, with our Quarterly Economic Survey revealing that over half of all survey respondents said they expected to see improvements in their sales, profitability and turnover.
Over the summer this positive trend continued with more businesses looking to recruit staff thanks to raising domestic demand. This local trend echoed the national picture with service sales enjoying sustained year-on-year growth, as the volume of retail sales in August increased by 3.7% compared with July.
This was the 29th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. However, in comparison to the domestic market, October’s results showed that overseas sales and orders had fallen for the first time since 2009, which is a result no one forecasted a year ago.
As the Chamber, everything we have done this year has one aim, to help businesses across Lincolnshire prosper and grow. As a not for profit organisation, every penny that we earn is spent on helping our members.
On the ground we continued to bring an action packed programme of activity. There is truly too much to mention about all our undertakings, but one of the highlights for me is our involvement in the Greater Lincolnshire Capital Growth Fund.
The grants rang between £10,000 and £250,000, and so far we have awarded over £700,000 to Lincolnshire businesses who have demonstrated sound business growth and investment potential, which will result in new jobs being created.
Since it launched in October 2014 we’ve answered over 200 enquiries and met with 46 SMEs on a one-to-one basis to discuss their needs. Thanks to the money already awarded, 149 jobs will be created, with another three being safeguarded. We’re on track to meet, if not exceed our targets, which will have a significant impact on the county.
Thanks to our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), we know that many Lincolnshire firms, especially those in the domestic market, will start 2016 in a better place than this time last year.
Using 2015 as a benchmark, we’ll continue to see confidence grow among the business community. In September 2015, 55% of businesses were expecting their profitability to increase over the next 12 months, while 60% expected their turnover to increase too.
Since the recession hit, another barrier to growth has always been cash flow, but more businesses are reporting improved cash flow, with 37% saying it continued to improve (September 2015).
However, the path to recovery has not been a smooth one, and there are many challenges on the horizon. But with careful planning we can identify pressure points, and try to offer solutions. There is no doubt that budget cuts in the public sector will once again hit the business community hard, taking much needed funding away from the coalface.
Media reports speculate that councils across England have already had their government funding slashed by up to 40% since 2010, with more to come next year. However projects like the Capital Growth Fund will go some way to bridge the gap. And among many things, George Osborne’s July budget announced a new National Living Wage of £7.20 by April 2016, rising to £9 by 2020, which could hit any business employing minimum wage staff, and those slightly above, very hard.
As well as all this, international trade is likely to remain challenging in early 2016. The weakness of the euro against the pound has made it harder for UK businesses to compete.
As we see out 2015, more volatility around rates can’t help business planning into 2016 either and this lack of certainty is likely to continue as we progress into 2016. This could put off many new businesses that have the potential to expand into overseas markets.
But through our programme of International Trade workshops, documentation seminars, currency partners and activity with UKTI we’re helping businesses understand the long-term rewards of international growth, rather than the short-term challenges many have seen in news reports.
Next year will also be a fork in the road on a lot of issues including the EU referendum and devolution. As levels of debate surround staying or leaving the EU increase in 2016, business confidence has the possibility to be undermined by the instability of Britain’s position.
In terms of devolution, I am interested to see the impact that it could have on Lincolnshire. We have heard how businesses broadly support the devolution of powers to local areas in England. If done properly, it can drive greater efficiency, accountability, and better results.
I believe that decisions on local growth are best taken when businesses and councils decide what arrangements work best for their areas. Future devolution plans must have maximum accountability to local business and I therefore look forward to leaning more about the details.
Simon Beardsley is Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest business networks in the county providing first-class business support to companies of all shapes and sizes in a range of industries and sectors.
The hospitality industry hit harder times than most during the latest recession, with many large chains unable to survive the storm. When Emma Brealey, 32, started her position at the family-owned Petwood Hotel in 2010 she was met with an opposition to change and a lack of fresh ideas. There was no online presence and a list of outgoing costs as long as her arm, but Emma became determined to bring the history of the hotel back to life, including restoring the Edwardian Gardens in a £650,000 project.
Realising that she needed a change in her career, in April 2010, Emma gave herself six months to find a job that she wanted. She moved back home with her parents and agreed to help out on a temporary basis with the sales and marketing for the historic Edwardian hotel in Woodall Spa, which was taken on by Emma’s family almost 20 years ago.
“I hadn’t quite realised how much the hospitality sector was struggling,” Emma said. “The hotel itself was not doing well at all. It was not in the bank’s good books, as many hospitality and leisure businesses weren’t.
“Cash was an issue, and very quickly I realised that I didn’t really want to look for another job. I just wanted to get stuck in and help out with the family business.”
By January 2011, Emma became Managing Director and a member of the board, which was comprised of her mother and her uncle. She took a hands-on approach and started to make the appropriate changes with the full support of her family.
“I think that there are many family businesses that could squabble till the cows come home but we’re very lucky in that we all sing from the same page and we all want the same things.”
The hotel was struggling to make ends meet and Emma was finding challenges to the success of the business everywhere she looked – from the cosmetics of the building itself to a resistance to change from the staff. She had to strip the business right back in order to build it up again.
“Financial challenges – we got through by the skin of our teeth. Over the five years, the first year was about survival, the next two years were about stabilising the business and the last two years have actually been about growing it. I’m really pleased to say that we have.”
Emma Brealey, Managing Director of the Petwood Hotel has turn the tide for the business
Back to the drawing board
In 2010, the hotel was hemorrhaging money, with maintenance costs of £5,000 to £8,000 a month, high staff costs and discounted rates in a bid to get people through the door. People just didn’t have the money to spend on luxury trips and the hotel was feeling the pressure.
With 53 rooms and five function rooms to fill with the overheads to match, Emma had to make some hard decisions. “We were running at 48% payroll to sales,” said Emma. “We knew we needed to be in the 30s but didn’t know how to get there.
“All the staff unanimously agreed to take a pay cut. We had to make redundancies and despite the pain that put in our staff’s pockets, it really only affected the percentage by maybe 4% or 5%. We had significant progress to make.
“Fresh ideas were deemed to be a bit frightening. They would say ‘that’s not what we do’ or ‘we’ve got a formula that works and we should stick to it’. That’s fine when the economy is working in your favour, but when it’s not and you need to become more innovative, you can’t have that resistance to change attitude.”
Slowly, attitudes changed to become more adaptable and now every member of staff’s ideas are listened to and considered. It opened up the way to introducing an online presence, which the hotel didn’t have when Emma started – other than the odd review on travel sites.
“No one on the team knew what Trip Advisor was. They had no idea that people would stay in a hotel and then go and write a review about it. There was no online reputation management, no understanding of social media and how that could be enhanced and used to develop business.”
It became a fine balancing act between getting customers through the door and covering the costs of the business. Discounted rates may have been attractive to potential customers but it was becoming more and more difficult to rectify income issues that the hotel was having.
“It was almost cheaper for us to pay people to go away. It was not well placed business necessarily. You expect to have some business that you can make good money on and some business that you have to discount. But far more business was discounted than was at a good rate. It was just going to end up spiralling out of control.”
2015 has been a very successful year for the LEP and for Greater Lincolnshire as a whole. We secured more funding for the area in the second round of government Growth Deals, bringing total investment of £146.2 million by 2021, and a number of projects benefiting from this funding are now beginning to take shape.
We have also been busy working to improve our agrifood sector – one of the most important elements of our economy. We have created a Food Board, launched our Agrifood Plan which aims to will double the sector’s contribution to the economy by 2030, and secured funding to develop three new Food Enterprise Zones. We will also be launching an important Water Management Plan next year to support our growth and the food sector and to reduce the risk of flooding.
2016 will be a very important year for us. We expect to see progress made on all our Growth Deal projects, from road improvement schemes to new housing, and we are looking forward to the official opening of phase two of Bishop Burton’s Riseholme College Showground Campus and the Boole Technology Centre on the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park.
Our priority continues to be improvements to our infrastructure, including road networks, public transport links and superfast broadband access – those living in rural areas and even many urban locations will be able to testify how badly needed this is. There are still weakness in the important links between producers and their markets, between people and workplaces, between skills needs and training opportunities, and between visitors and tourist attractions. We will not fully realise Greater Lincolnshire’s potential until we have remedied these.
In 2015 we put in place a new body to support businesses which need advice and guidance to grow and help with finance. The Greater Lincolnshire Growth Hub was officially launched in October but it has been hard at work since the summer, delivering high-quality business diagnostics and support packages across our area.
2016 will also be an important year for the English regions. There has been much talk about the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine and devolution – all buzzwords which reflect the fact that rebalancing power and prosperity between London and the rest of the country are high on the agenda in Whitehall and at your local LEP.
The Government has encouraged areas to request devolved powers and in September all Greater Lincolnshire’s local authorities and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP submitted an expression of interest for ambitious plans to bring more local power and responsibility in areas such as transport, skills, growth, policing and health.
We believe that certain services and projects would be more efficient and achieve better outcomes if they were run locally than nationally as at present. It is vital that we make business part of the devolution arrangements so that the public sector and the private sector work together on economic growth and development with a shared understanding.
Parallel to the devolution discussions is a move to realise the full economic potential of the Midlands region. In December the Business Secretary Sajid Javid MP launched the Midlands Engine prospectus, a document which aims to boost productivity, attract inward investment, increase connectivity and build a regional tourism offer in the Midlands. Greater Lincolnshire is one of 11 LEPs which pooled their ambitions in the Midlands Engine prospectus and we look forward to moving this agenda forward in 2016.
So, looking forward, 2016 will be a year of challenges and opportunities for Greater Lincolnshire. I am sure that with the support of businesses, councils and local people we can overcome the challenges, seize the opportunities and build a prosperous future for Greater Lincolnshire.
My New Year’s Resolution
As a Local Enterprise Partnership we are committed to working as hard as we possibly can to improve the conditions for business and enterprise in Greater Lincolnshire.
Ursula Lidbetter is the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Co-operative and the Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
This year has been characterised by hugely rewarding developments in both my personal and professional life. 2015 heralded the birth of my second child, William and saw Lincoln College Group embark on a journey of transformation that will further enhance the education we offer to thousands of students at home and abroad.
My wife, Julia, and I were blessed by the birth of our second son, William in February. A gap of 12 years between the birth of our first son, Charles, meant that we had to re-learn what life is like with a young baby in the house.
Charlie and William.
At the ripe old age of 46, those middle-of-the-night feeds and nappy changes hurt a little more than they did 12 years ago but equally I am much more patient now and can honestly say that it has been a wonderfully fulfilling 10 months watching William develop. I’m rather proud of the two additions to my face in the form of bags under my eyes that have developed alongside him!
At work, the pace of change has been exhilarating and the extent of change has been more extensive than anything I have experienced before in my 29 years of professional working life, some highlights include:
Lincoln, Gainsborough and Newark Colleges
During 2015, we have innovated and implemented a new transformation capability that has enabled us to re-think and re-shape our colleges with close involvement of staff from across the organisation at every level. We are very clear about our mission which is to be employer-led producing a highly skilled and productive local workforce. Implicit within this mission is to provide outstanding teaching and learning and to provide the best possible experience and outcomes for our learners.
Academies
Both academies are working exceptionally hard to raise the aspirations of their learners and improve their outcomes and prospects. A particular highlight for us is that the Newark Academy moved into a brand new £20 million school building in December.
Lincoln University Technical College (UTC)
Alongside Siemens and the University of Lincoln, we have sponsored the Lincoln UTC during the past year and I have been Chair of the Board. The highlight of the year was moving into the UTC’s new permanent location, Greestone House, and hearing the students tell Lord Baker about their excellent learning experience.
International:
I am actually writing this article in a hotel room in Riyadh as during the past year, we have successfully opened a new vocational education business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We have also commenced a second operation in the Republic of China. We have around 3,000 full-time students overseas already.
2015 has been an extraordinary year both at work and at home. I am blessed and proud to have a strong and loving family. I am also very fortunate to work with terrific people and to have a job that makes people’s lives better through education and skills, creating opportunities for local businesses and local people.
2016 already looks full of promise with a wide range of potential growth opportunities both in the UK and overseas in line with our strategy and vision for the future of the Lincoln College Group.
My New Year’s Resolution
My New Year’s resolution is to improve communication both externally and internally across the Group.
Gary Headland MA MBA Chartered FCIPD MIoD A former Royal Air Force officer, civilian police director and private sector director, Gary Headland is the CEO of the Lincoln College Group which comprises colleges in Lincolnshire and Newark, academies in Gainsborough and Newark, colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China and a range of UK commercial subsidiary companies. Related roles include: Chair of the Lincoln University Technical College; Chair of the Federation of Greater Lincolnshire Colleges (the 10 further education institutions across Greater Lincolnshire); Member of the ‘Leadership in Lincolnshire’ Group; Patron of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce; Member of Court of Bishop Grosseteste University; Member of the RAF College Cranwell Independent Advisory Panel; and Member of the Association of College International Portfolio Group.
People living and visiting Lincoln have plenty to look forward to as 2016 gets underway.
Major changes to the city’s streetscape, and the anticipated arrival of yet more new names keen to be part of a city which is growing as a retail and leisure destination, are poised to drive the pace of change.
While 2015 – with its unforgettable 800th anniversary of Magna Carta celebrations and the amazing Lincoln Charter Barons’ Trail has certainly been a milestone year – 2016 could match it in other ways.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The opening of Lincoln’s long-awaited East-West Link Road across the city centre, will act as a catalyst to a number of long-awaited schemes, including the pedestrianisation of the south High Street from St Marks to St Mary’s Street, with the new railway bridge, spanning the High Street railway crossing, also shaping-up.
The physical appearance of Lincoln is on the brink of major changes. These will provide the backdrop to a variety of new events and the return of old favourites.
Work is due to start on a £50 million project in the Cornhill Quarter. This will breathe extra life into what is an important part of the city.
The £12 million, first phase, will see the transformation of the Cornhill and Sincil Street. It is good that planners have given the green light for this work because this area is one of the first seen by visitors arriving in Lincoln by bus or train.
Work is due to start on the landmark Corn Exchange building during the first half of the year and the good news is that the scheme is already attracting strong national interest.
However, those involved in the project will also be working closely with existing tenants based in this area.
Lincoln’s long-awaiting Transport Hub is also causing a real buzz and a hot topic of conversation. A full business case for this is due to be submitted to the Department for Transport in February, with a decision on confirmed funding of £11 million expected in April.
We continue to see investment ploughed into the University of Lincoln campus and even after many years of welcoming new businesses to the city, there is every expectation that Lincoln will continue to attract many new names.
We are aiming to match the city’s rise as a retail destination, which is well worth exploring, with an exciting programme of events.
Lots of work is going on behind the scenes and everyone is encouraged to note that the first-ever Lincoln BIG Fashion Week is taking place from May 16 to 21.
The idea has come about as a result of suggestions from our retail levy payers and initial talks with St Mark’s Shopping Centre Manager Val Hardy and the Waterside Shopping Centre’s Marketing Manager Chantelle Henderson.
This event is still in the early planning stages, but we want to make it as inclusive as possible. It will feature fashion, design, hairdressing, beauty and nails, and we are keen to get as many businesses, both independent and national, involved.
This major event will feature four pop-up events and will culminated in a grand fashion show on Friday, May 20, 2016 – in St Swithin’s Church, St Swithin’s Square.
The pop-ups will include a mobile catwalk show, which will be spread around the city centre and during the week, University of Lincoln Fashion Students’ outfits and millinery will be on show in a variety of locations.
Other dates to note include the Lincoln Dragon Boat Race on July 30, which Lincoln BIG is facilitating in conjunction with Ringrose Law. It is taking place on Brayford Pool.
2015 also saw a special addition to Lincoln BIG’s popular motoring events, staged on the city’s waterfront – the Independent Car Show. The good news is that we are bringing it back on August 14.
Continental markets are great for sparking memories of great holidays and there are three to look forward to in 2016. They are being staged in the High Street, from March 17 to 20; June 9 to 12 and September 29 to October 2.
Major investment by Lincoln’s pubs, clubs and restaurants means that it is also well worth people planning a night out in the city or perhaps staying in town after work. There really is something to suit all tastes.
It has been a busy year in the world of business for The Lincolnite’s sister publication Lincolnshire Business.
Entering its second year of publishing as the most read business magazine in the county, many business leaders have shared their amazing and inspiring success stories from seventh generation family companies to multi-million pound corporations — and Lincolnshire’s first billionaire.
We have put together a list of our favourite top 10 cover stories for 2015. These inspirational stories prove that it doesn’t matter what a person’s background is – success is a mindset. With a good idea and the determination to put it all together, a business will flourish whether it is not-for-profit, international trading or a family legacy.
David Ross: An inspiration for future generations
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.
Throwing himself down a track whilst experiencing the joys and terrors of a bobsleigh has shown 44-year-old Sean Ramsden what real fear means. So when he became CEO of his family business Ramsden International in 1995, taking the company global was something that, to him at least, was much tamer than the bob track.
They say diamonds are forever, and in jewellery tycoon John Greed’s eyes the appeal of a timeless product is the key to success. With a booming online enterprise and enviable prowess as an innovator in retail, he must be doing something right — as his Lincoln-based company is looking at a turnover this year of £12 million.
With the love and support of his wife Sarah Louise, Daniel Fairburn, Managing Director of one of the UK’s largest egg producers LJ Fairburn & Son, had to act fast to reinvent the business before the company got into serious financial trouble. Due to a change in the law on caged chickens, the third generation family firm made huge investments, financed through bank loans. But shortly after, the cost of eggs went down and the price of chicken feed went up and there wasn’t enough money coming in to pay off the loans.
Karen Lowthrop: Challenging the concept of business
Doing ‘business unusual’ has become a way of life for Karen Lowthrop after taking on the challenge to turn Hill Holt Woods near Lincoln into a thriving social enterprise. Producing an eco-friendly, self-sustaining business has not been an easy task but it is exactly what she has aspired to and achieved.
When Dawn Barron hit a major crossroads in her life, help came from an unexpected source, inspiring her to take a leap of faith and change direction. Fifteen years later she is using her talents and experience to help medium-to-large businesses to take the plunge and supercharge their fortunes — by tapping into the power of their people.
Set for an early retirement Henry Ruddock, 67, never intended to take on the family business, but due to unforeseen events he made the choice to continue the legacy of one of Lincoln’s oldest family-run businesses.
Dr Rona Mackenzie started the year by creating a bucket list of 40 challenges to celebrate her 40th birthday. However, the Principal of the Lincoln University Technical College (UTC) is focused on making sure that her students get the best possible future in business.
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.
Stuart Maclaren: Flying the flag for UK manufacturing
What’s the secret to steering one of the fastest growing and in-demand printing firms in the UK from the heart of Lincolnshire? For 26-year-old Stuart Maclaren it’s a mixture of chasing down evolving targets, building a reputation and staying ahead of the game — and his career story is one which is as fast-paced as his passion for high-octane water sports.
The past year has been a confidence boost for business growth in and around Lincoln as new start-ups and larger chains moved to the city. Significant investments have been made to give stores and venues a fresh new look, and the City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council have been working to secure additional funding for business development and transport projects.
From January to December, here are The Lincolnite’s top business picks of 2015:
Teal Park continues expansion boosting the local economy
Computer-generated visuals of Vincent Court, as part of plans to expand on Teal Park near Lincoln.
January saw the first announcement for expansion plans to Teal Park with a new 26,700 sq ft industrial/warehouse scheme planning application. Since then, the business park has grown with a £2 million development to support local businesses and create hundreds of jobs. The plans were unanimously approved in April for the scheme which would build on North Kesteven District Council’s £21 million capital programme for supporting business growth.
Sealing the deal
Photo: Stuart Wilde
Lincolnshire County Council signed a formal declaration of economic collaboration with the Chinese province of Hunan in September, opening the gates for further industry co-operation, friendship and common prosperity. Chinese delegates visited the county exploring the opportunities available including the Engineering Hub at the University of Lincoln before signing a formal declaration.
Developing the Brayford
Visuals of ‘One the Brayford’: Stem Architects Ltd
Developers revealed £20 million plans to turn two buildings on Lincoln’s Brayford into new apartments, restaurants and office space. The development will incorporate Mill House, formerly occupied by Mouchel, and Viking House, which is currently used by Jobcentre Plus.
Creating business developments
North Kesteven District council invested in a £2 million project, which will create 19 new industrial units at Blackwood Court on North Hykeham’s Teal Park.
Plans were revealed by Lincolnshire Co-op to expand the Carlton Centre off Outer Circle Road, Lincoln. Ongoing talks involve super-sizing Lidl and attracting new retailers to the centre.
A new purpose build DPD warehouse is expected to open in the New Year, creating up to 90 jobs at an industrial park off the A46 Lincoln.
The Mall shopping centre redevelopment
The future of The Mall shopping centre was uncertain at the beginning of the year after an announcement that the building had been earmarked for a redevelopment worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
In May, it was confirmed that The Mall will become part of expanding restaurant chain Wildwood. Although this was expected to be open by Christmas, work has not yet started.
Lincoln Transport Hub redevelopment plans
Photo: CoLC
Plans for a £25 million transport hub for Lincoln were revealed in January, which would provide the city with a new bus and train station, a 1,000 space car park and new pedestrian footbridges. The City of Lincoln Council confirmed that they would contribute a total of £2.1 million to the development.
In February, construction company Willmott Dixon won the contract to deliver the transport hub and in the following months, the council secured and agreed additional funding, increasing the cost of the project to £29 million.
Councillors unanimously approved the plans submitted for the hub in October and a final business case is being prepared for submission to the Department for Transport in February 2016.
Plans for a second floating restaurant on the Brayford
Initial designs (L) vs the new designs for the Brayford’s second floating restaurant. Artist impression: Stem Architects
Lincoln-based Stem Architects, on behalf of Investors for Lincoln, revealed plans to build a second floating restaurant on the Brayford waterfront area of the city in January.
Due to resistance to the plans from campaigners, the company went back to the drawing board until November when new images of what the restaurant would look like were released. No date has been set for proposals to go before the city planning committee.
Lincolnshire Digital Awards
All the award winners celebrating at the first Lincolnshire Digital Awards ceremony. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Business
The first ever Lincolnshire Digital Awards, organised by The Lincolnite’s sister publicationLincolnshire Business, were held in March with over 60 entries for the eight different categories including Best Use of Digital Photography, Innovation in Web Design and Digital Business of the Year. Also find out more about the first Lincolnshire Business Expo on January 21, 2016 at the Lincolnshire Showground.
Lincoln Cornhill Quarter development
Modern extensions to the Corn Exchange will be demolished, allowing views of the new facades from the High Street.
Plans for a £70 million redevelopment of Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter were unveiled in February by Lincolnshire Co-operative, which would see a combination of refurbishment, extensions and new development in the area.
Despite the plans receiving positive feedback in March, an online petition was launched in May over possible plans to close the Corn Exchange market, which reached just over 2,100 signatures. Co-op confirmed that they would be working closely with market traders for location where required.
Lincoln areas highlighted for growth in the Draft Local Plan for Central Lincolnshire.
The next phase of the Central Lincolnshire councils’ Draft Local Plan was revealed in August. It is anticipated that upon completion it will create 11,894 full-time-equivalent jobs as well as an additional 36,960 new homes – 23,000 of which will be in Lincoln. Further planning revealed in September that six sites, including three in and around the city, had been earmarked as key zones for investment and job creation.
An expansion in education
The School of Engineering is currently being expanded with the construction of the Isaac Newton Building. Image: UoL
Plans for the £16 million Isaac Newton building on the University of Lincoln Brayford Campus were approved by the City of Lincoln Council in May. BAM Construction won the construction contract in September with work expected to be completed by early 2017.
A new £23 million Riseholme College campus was given the green light in February and is the first new agricultural college to be built in the last 50 years. The new site at the Lincolnshire Showground officially opened after an investment of £13 million on November 20 with phase two still underway.
Lincoln University Technical College (UTC) officially opened the doors to its new premises on Lindum Hill at the end of November after spending its first year in a temporary building. The new building was delayed due to a number of historic relics being found, which required further investigation.
Living in student luxury
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Luxury student block The Gateway was completed in time for the new influx of students in September. The £28 million flagship accommodation development by Jackson & Jackson Developments made room for an additional 519 students in the city, creating 12 new jobs and it includes a ground floor coffee shop and offices.
Water House also started development at the beginning of the year based on the same designs as The Gateway and will contain nine kitchens, 13 bathrooms and 15 bedrooms.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum in Lincoln. Photo: Tennyson Homes
Tennyson Homes created a ‘landmark Colosseum development‘ of houses ranging from £450,000 to £940,000 with the unique aspect of living in an oval. The 14 Georgian-style homes offer between 2,575 sq ft and 5,200 sq ft floor space. The Lincolnitetook a tour of the development in May.
Science and Innovation
The £6.75 million Boole Technology Centre will house between 100 and 200 highly skilled employees.
In the most unusual of ways, as the University of Lincoln Tortoise Charles Darwin ate his way through a ribbon of leaves at the official opening of Joseph Banks Laboratories at Lincoln’s Science and Innovation Park in April. Over the next decade, City of Lincoln Council have backed plans for the continued expansion of the Science and innovation park with an ambitious £50 million project. These plans included the demolition of the former Ruston Bucyrus buildings in order to make way for the Boole Technology Centre.
Discount supermarket comeback
Netto returned to Lincoln in October after a five-year departure. The new store opened on Lindis Retail Park, off Tritton Road, which was formerly occupied by Blockbuster. Just next door, Lincoln’s first Poundworld opened on the same day. Some 50 new jobs were created between the two stores.
New to Lincoln
New restaurants, shops, bars and businesses have been cropping up all around the city in 2015. Some of the new businesses include:
Madame Waffle which opened in June, offering a unique coffee and dining concept in the form of a rustic independent waffle house
A new 24 hour gym in St Marks, Pure Gym, which opened in April
An Irish/American-inspired bar Rogue Saint also opened in April
A £1.2 million revamp for Yarborough Leisure Centre opened in February with a new 2-storey gym, cycling studio and other improvements.
Camper UK reopened in February in a new location after a devastating fire broke out at its old premises in January 2014
Home nightclub invested in a £130,000 renovation which was opened by Katie Price in July
Securing the funding for growth
Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Business
In January, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership secured an additional £14.8 million for the government’s Growth Deals on top of the £111.2 million that had been secured in 2014. The Growth Plan is expecting to be able to create 13,000 new jobs and boost the Greater Lincolnshire economy by billions of pounds.
The Lawn redevelopment
An artist’s impression of how the main concourse between The Lawn and Charlotte House hotel would look under the first draft plans.
Redevelopment plans for The Lawn in the uphill area of Lincoln are underway as the preferred bidder for the site revealed the first draft plan in December. RW Stokes & Sons and Banks Long & Co are currently conducting consultations on the plans with local residents and neighbouring businesses, prior to finalising the planning application for the site.
Work has started to refurbish the former Mall on upper Lincoln High Street into a Wildwood restaurant.
It is anticipated that the work will be finished by May 2016 and that Wildwood will be welcoming its first diners in the summer.
The new eatery will create some 30 new jobs and will serve pizza, pasta and grilled dishes.
Wildwood has more than 40 restaurants across the country.
The transformation has begun at the Mall shopping centre. Photo: The Lincolnite
Local firm Maher Millard Construction has been contracted for the revamp by chartered surveyors Banks Long & Co.
Banks Long & Co Managing Director Tim Bradford said: “We are delighted to announce that the refurbishment work is being carried out by a Lincolnshire company, which has just started on site.
“Banks Long & Co turned down a number of wet-led late night bar operations in favour of Wildwood, whose dining experience will also include a small bar and retail area.
“We were keen to attract a restaurant brand to this location which could offer something different for Lincoln.”
Wildwood, which is owned by Tasty Plc, is a new name for Lincoln and its arrival will highlight the ongoing revitalisation process being seen across the city.
Earlier this year the company said the city had “been on its radar” for some time.
Managers had taken note of the growth in Lincoln’s economy, which has been boosted by a rise in the number of students and tourists coming to the city.
Banks Long & Co originally acquired The Mall for Lincolnshire developer M F Strawson Ltd – when it was offered to the market at a London auction.
Businesses across Lincolnshire are showing increasing optimism for manufacturing and service sector firms, according to the latest results from the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), commissioned by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and the University of Lincoln.
The latest business survey shows a significant upturn in investment, with a greater proportion of businesses revising their investment plans for the new year.
Results show that 34% of businesses are looking to invest in equipment and machinery – its highest percentage since performance tracking began in 2009.
The survey, undertaken by the Lincolnshire Research Observatory, shows that businesses in Lincolnshire continue to remain optimistic, with figures from the latest survey once again showing steady performance in areas such as sales, profitability and turnover.
Domestic demand remains strong, with approximately 41% of businesses reporting that UK sales had improved, and around 38% reporting an increase in orders and bookings.
This quarter has also seen a rise in recruiting, with one in three businesses increasing their workforce and only 7% decreasing the size of their workforce. Some 23% of businesses are expecting their workforce to increase in the next quarter.
Overall, businesses appear to feel positive about 2016, with a greater proportion of businesses expecting their profitability and turnover to remain the same in the next 12 months.
Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “As we look to 2016 we must work hard to bring even more confidence back into the market.
“As a chamber we’re still working tirelessly on behalf of our members and the wider business.
“It is good to see that businesses are looking ahead to 2016 and preparing for growth in 2016, by investing in machinery and equipment.
“One in four businesses have also revised their training investment upwards for this quarter, in recognition that training can help boost skills and productivity.
“In Quarter 3 of 2015, we saw that overseas and sales orders fell negatively for the first time since reporting began in 2009.
“This quarter, we are pleased to see small margins of improvement with one in five businesses reporting an increase in orders from overseas over last quarter. However, this balance still remains on the negative side for orders and advanced custom.
“There are still major challenges facing the manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of worsening global circumstances and the strength of sterling.
“While the UK economy will continue to rely on our dynamic service sector, it is crucial that the manufacturing sector continues to innovate and export.
“We continue to advocate the growth of exporting in the East Midlands, and through our dedicated International Trade Experts, we are here to ensure that businesses receive the help they need to export.”
Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at the Lincolnshire County Council, added: “Overall this is a very positive picture and bodes well for 2016.
“The county council will continue to play its part by encouraging people to invest in our county and building stronger relationships with other countries, bringing opportunities in new markets. I’m sure that, if we all work together, we take the county economy to new heights.”
Lincoln has been ranked as the sixth best place to start a new business in the UK, according to business solutions company Quality Formations.
After assessing 69 cities across the country, Lincoln was revealed to be in the top 10 cities for business startups based on eight different categories; commercial property, energy, virtual office services, public transport, broadband service, workforce demographics, access to finance and quality of life. Subcategories also included broadband download speeds and the current availability of prime office space.
All aspects were given a mark out of 10 for each city in order to create a national league table. Derby was ranked top of the table with Stoke and Belfast coming in second and third. Wolverhampton and Sunderland were ranked fourth and fifth ahead of Lincoln. A full list of all cities rankings can be found on the Quality Formation website.
The research showed that Lincoln was one of the cheapest places to rent commercial property at a cost of £10.92 per square foot, with 111 commercial properties available and also its broadband download speeds.
James Howell, Compliance Executive at Quality Formations, said: “Lincoln isn’t a city that tends to make international headlines – but we think that needs to change. In terms of business potential, the city is rife with opportunity.
“For a city its size, Lincoln has an incredibly vibrant commercial property sector. Average rent prices are among the UK’s lowest, while selection and availability are superb. Meanwhile, overhead costs are cheap-as-chips compared to more traditional business hubs like London or Manchester.
“Virtual office services and private accommodation fees in Lincoln both run almost a third below the UK average. The city’s business energy rates also tend to run noticeably cheaper than some of England’s bigger industrial capitals.
“Yet one of Lincoln’s biggest draws from a startup’s point-of-view is its brilliant broadband service. With speeds of up to 310Mbps and wide superfast availability, Lincoln offers virtual companies and home-based entrepreneurs a number of ways in which to succeed in business on a global scale.”
The analysis also showed that Lincoln’s workforce includes 22.6% of the population which is educated to a level of BA degree or better and an has an unemployment rate of 5.9%. The city has been noted as having a good range of financial grants, specific to the region, with 29 available.
Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Developments, said: “Lincoln is a great place to start a business, and that’s a message we’re keen to share. Our city is much more affordable than others, and there’s plenty of support from ourselves and our partners to help get things up and running. In recent years, we’ve seen a number of innovative new businesses set up shop locally, and I’m sure this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.”
The research also looked at the country’s worse startup cities with Inverness, Well and Hereford in the bottom three due to expensive office space and a lack of it, as well as slow internet speed and limited access to region specific grants.
Bigger of Bailgate, one of the oldest family-run businesses in Lincoln, is shutting up shop after over 70 years of trading.
The uphill kitchen shop at 48 Bailgate was opened in 1944 by Fred and Nellie Bigger, originally selling ironmongery and hardware items.
Fred and Nellie Bigger set up the Bigger of Bailgate hardware shop in 1944. Photo: BofB
The business was passed down through the generations, evolving into a homeware and cookery specialism and expanding to incorporate a growing online marketplace.
Last year the company, including Nellie Bigger herself who was still playing a big part in the running of operations at the age of 92, celebrated their 70th anniversary.
Bigger of Bailgate staff (L to R) Simon Bilton, Andrew Madden and Kate Edgar celebrating their 70th birthday last year. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Andrew Madden took over his grandmother’s business over 20 years ago.
He said: “The decision to close has not been easy as Bigger of Bailgate has been a family business for 72 years, but after 55 years of being involved in the business, Director Peter Bigger has decided that he would like to retire entirely from the business.
“After 22 years I’ve decided I would like to move on.
“The business will be trading until the end of March.
“Thanks to everyone who has supported us. We have been involved with some fantastic people over the years, and a special thank you to our long serving staff.”
Staff and customers have years of fond memories of the shop.
Simon Bilton who had worked at Biggers for 33 years told The Lincolnite during the team’s 70th birthday celebrations: “One of my fondest memories was a disaster that had a positive result. We accidently started a massive fire at the back of the shop and it all had to be rebuilt. We ended up with a nice new extension!”
Lincoln residents and visitors also left many compliments on the news story last year.
Jane Rimmer said: “I have such happy memories of Biggers, from when my mother lived just round the corner in Chapel Lane.”
Kare Hinojosa said: “My grandad used to take me there to buy a little toy car each Saturday. Loved it, great memories.”
In only two weeks of trading, Lincoln startup company ELAT3D Ltd. has gone viral with personalised Lego heads.
Now the company needs to more than quadruple in size to deliver nearly 3,000 orders.
Chris Lightfoot, founder of Funky3Dfaces.com (a trading name for ELAT3D ltd) had the idea six months ago when his 15-year-old son sold his collection of Lego to raise money for a pair of football boots.
The individual characters were going for up to £50.
“I just looked at the Lego head and thought, ‘I wonder if I can do anything with that,” Chris said.
“It took us a while to find the right piece of software and get it right but now it looks pretty accurate – for something that is the size of a pea.”
By using a front and a side profile picture of a person’s face, Chris is able to create a 3D image that is the perfect addition for any Lego enthusiast.
Since putting the personalised heads on Etsy, Funky3DFaces.com has seen more orders come in than Chris could have dreamed of and it has been picked up an international level.
“I would say that 90% of what’s come through is American,” Chris explained.
“8% is then from the UK and then we have had orders from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong Taiwan. You name it, we’ve got them from there.”
Personalised Lego characters
Due to the unprecedented demand for the product, and currently only having two staff including himself, Chris needs to more than quadruple the size of his business, both in staff and office space, in the next few days to be able to deliver.
“We can print up to 2000 Lego heads per day because they are so small that we can stack them on top of each other,“ Chris explained.
“It’s the actual fixing of the files, making them into 3D, and processing once it’s been printed that takes the time.
“I don’t think I could have dreamt it. Honestly. It’s just being able to keep it going and keep it lasting for longer than a week.
“But the thing is, we’re out there now. People know that we are here and so many people are commenting on social media saying, ‘I’d love one of them’ or ‘I’ll get one’.
“I’m thinking – ‘If everybody who said that they’re going to get one, gets one, we’re going to be busy for years.”
Chris Lightfoot has a 3D printer which is capable of printing 2,000 Lego heads a day.
Chris had originally set up the business to make 3D bones for surgeons but wanted to make something that would really show what 3D printers could do.
Previously they had tried several different things such as personalise birthday cards and wedding invites with a 3D face stuck onto it.
“We wanted to try and find something that would be relatively cheap, yet affordable for most people,” said Chris.
“I think that we have only really scratched the surface. I think that the people who are acting now are the people who have a real interest in Lego.
“In 2-4 weeks, there’s going to be 3,000 Lego heads dropping on people’s laps in their houses.
“I’m hoping that they’re going to start Tweeting and putting it on Facebook, so it will probably become a bit of a surgence as people start sharing it, then more people will be confident that we can supply and they’re good quality.”
The inaugural Lincolnshire Business Expo at the Lincolnshire Showground is promising to be the biggest B2B event in the county, with 60 exhibitors taking part on January 21.
Run by The Lincolnite’s sister publication Lincolnshire Business, over 300 delegates have already registered to attend the day to meet new contacts and be inspired by business experts from around the county.
Some 21 events and more than 20 speakers are spotlighted on the day, with speakers including:
Ron Lynch – Regional Director of the IoD in the East Midlands
Paul Tutin – Managing Partner at Streets’ Chartered Accountants
Throughout the day, delegates will be able to attend a range of networking events like Speed Networking with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, seminars on a vision for Lincolnshire in 2020 and workshops on how to get the best from their business.
Improvements to rural roads, suggestions for new housing areas, and constraints to possible traveller sites are among some of the responses submitted by Lincolnshire residents to growth plans for the county.
As previously reported, Central Lincolnshire councils’ Draft Local Plan was revealed in August 2015, setting out targets for 36,960 new homes by 2036 – of which Lincoln is in line for a total of more than 23,000.
A consultation was held towards the end of 2015 on the proposals, which councillors claim will bring thousands of jobs to Central Lincolnshire and the boost the local economy to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.
Responses from residents to the round of consultation included:
A mixed response to the growth target of 36,960, with broadly half of respondents thinking it should be higher and half wanting it to be lower
Support for the need for travel plans, improvements to the Lincoln-Gainsborough-Sheffield train service and improvements to rural roads
Suggestions of where new green wedges could be sited, including Metheringham and Dunston; Heighington and Canwick; Heighington, Washingborough and Branston; while others were objected in the Witham Valley; between Waddington and Bracebridge Heath and around Hykeham Pits
Backing for the approach of using Sustainable Urban Extensions (SUEs)
Comments suggesting Market Rasen is well place to accommodate growth if any SUEs can’t be delivered
Suggestions that policy should provide greater certainty for large villages and that large villages near to Lincoln should accommodate more growth to support the city’s role
Specific land allocations in Bracebridge Heath, Heckington, Metheringham, Navenby, Ruskington, Skellingthorpe, Washingborough, Witham St Hughs, and Billinghay received both support and objection, with additional site suggestions for Billinghay, Branston, Heighington, Heckington, Ruskington, Skellingthorpe, Waddington and Washingborough
A large response to sites suggested for gypsy and travellers, with several new constraints having been identified on some of the proposed locations. These are being taken on board, investigated further and any unsuitable sites will be removed from the next draft of the plan
Councillor Jeff Summers (Leader of West Lindsey District Council), Councillor Ric Metcalfe (Leader of City of Lincoln Council) and Councillor Marion Brighton OBE (Leader of North Kesteven District Council).
Feedback from the consultation will be considered by councillors on The Central Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee on Monday, January 18.
Local plans aim to plan for an increasing population and changes in lifestyle as well as ensuring that roads, schools, shops and other facilities are provided for, while preserving and enhancing what is special about the areas.
Councillor Jeff Summers, Chair of the CLJSPC and Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “Since the closure of our second consultation for the new CLLP at the end of November, our officers have been working meticulously through the excellent range of comments received.
“We have been very impressed by the quality and number of submissions from across the three districts, West Lindsey, North Kesteven and Lincoln city.
“We have received very helpful feedback on the gypsy and traveller sites offered. New constraints have been identified on some sites which have been taken on board for further investigation. Any site presently identified and deemed unsuitable will be removed from the plan on January 18.
“Officers are currently reviewing and updating the plan ready for the third and final draft in April prior to submission to the Secretary of State.”
More information on the Draft Local Plan can be found on the website here.
Designer fashion retailer Scott Crowson arrives for our interview wearing a cool combo of £125 jeans, handmade Barker Shoes (£200) and a relaxed £150 cardigan….
Those who have known Scott from his early days in business will also notice his quiet confidence – the sort only gained by someone who has survived the challenges of years spent in an exciting, but fickle, industry.
Of course, in the early 1990s, interesting little nuggets, such as “we’ve just sold out of the Matchless jacket sported by Daniel Craig in the new blockbuster Spectre,” didn’t come into the conversation.
But it isn’t simply the fact that he can do a spot of celebrity “name-dropping”, that’s got Scott where he is today. It’s the hard “can’t buy it” business knowledge he’s learned along the way.
With hindsight, he would be the first to admit that he was pretty naïve when he burst onto Lincoln’s retail scene in 1992. The former North Kesteven School pupil who left the Army after breaking his leg, then went to work at the old Nickleby’s menswear boutique in the city’s Cornhill.
“I hadn’t been there very long before I started thinking, ‘I could do this’. However, we were still in a recession. It was an uphill struggle to find the money I needed to get going,” said Scott.
Scott Crowson founder of Coneys. Photo: Steve Smailes
Dream almost crumbles
“I visited my bank, but the managers didn’t want to know. They were feeling very nervous and I was seen as a high risk. It was also hard to get a shop unit. Landlords were looking for prospective tenants who had a trading record. I hadn’t.”
Determined to get a set of keys and kickstart his own fashion outlet, even if it was a tricky industry to break into, Scott managed to get onto the Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
“I also approached The Prince’s Trust, which gave me a grant of £550. I had the security I needed and launched Gere in a small unit in Clasketgate.”
Back then, Lincoln’s shopping offer was very different to what it is today. There was no University of Lincoln campus, no online shopping, fewer tourists and the mobile phones of the day were like bricks.
However, getting a set of shop keys was one thing, Scott then had to get his premises fitted out and stocked.
“It was really tough. I went to the cash and carry to choose some garments, then I hoped I would sell them in time for my cheque to clear. Quite honestly, my dream could have been over before it had even started!”
Scott put his personal stamp on Gere, and when the opportunity to snap-up the neighbouring outlet came along in 1998, Scott – who had been joined by Rob McGuire (now owner of Gere) – acted fast.
“We knocked the two units into one, expanded our stock and also started selling a range of suits. We built-up a core of regular customers, increased our cashflow and sales jumped 40% over a period of six months.”
The Lincoln baron trail is still creating a buzz around the city with the mini barons upping the competition on social media in their big brothers’ absence.
These mini barons have been appearing in shop windows, counters and offices across the city and have caused nearly as much excitement as the big barons themselves.
The miniatures have begun to compete for the favour of Lincoln visitors and residents, totting up ‘likes’ on their very own Facebook pages.
The businesses displaying the most popular Mini Baron was Widow Cullen’s Well in Steep Hill, which attracted 462 Facebook “likes” and 19 photographs.
The winning Baron at Widow Cullen’s Well
The next nine hot favourites were:
Modern Classics Café, The Strait (103 likes)
Debutante, Steep Hill (64 likes)
Café 44, Sincil Street (57 likes)
Sincil Salon, Sincil Street (55 likes)
Pimento Tea Room, Steep Hill (46 likes)
Vis a Vis, Bailgate (45 likes)
Follie, Bailgate, (30 likes)
Optima (5)
West Parade (29 likes)
Alive Church, Newland (28 likes)
Over the summer, the Lincoln Baron Trail brought many people to the city on a baron hunt and there was much disappointment at the news that in the autumn they were to be auctioned off to the highest bidder for charity.
To keep the spirit of the barons alive, Lincoln BIG delivered a mini baron to each of its levy paying businesses and challenged them to decorate their figurine then put them on public display.
Shoppers and visitors were then encouraged to explore the city, look out for the colourful figures, snap them and post their pictures on Facebook – and, of course, “like” their favourites.
Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan said: “This fun initiative has kept the excitement of the original Lincoln Barons’ Charter Trail alive and we received some great responses.”
Lincoln Visitor Information Centre Manager Michele Sims said many people bought mini barons to give to people as Christmas presents.
“Our “paint your own” mini barons have proved hugely popular. We are still getting people asking if they are still available and we are pleased to tell everyone that we have just ordered another batch of the figurines,” she said.
A Lincoln business is dealing with the aftermath of a severe fire in which one man was injured.
The cause of the blaze at the Lithuanian Motors unit on Murdock Road, which began at around 4.25pm on Wednesday, January 13, has been put down to welding equipment.
The Lithuanian Motors unit was wrecked by the fire. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The extent of the damage caused was revealed as morning broke on January 14, with the remaining wreckage of the business containing only charred pieces of material.
The roof of the building has completely fallen through and thousands of pounds worth of damage had been caused to vehicles and parts inside.
All that’s left of the former Lithuanian Motors sign. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Loud bangs were heard at the time the blaze began and huge plumes of smoke were thrown into the skies above the city as items inside the workshop were engulfed.
The smoke from the fire could be seen for miles around Lincoln.
The garage spans three single-storey units in the industrial park, with the blaze starting in the middle unit.
As previously reported, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended with four appliances, with around 30 firefighters.
Three main jets, and aerial ladder and two breathing apparatus’ were used and the fire was extinguished by around 5.45pm.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue confirmed on the morning of Thursday, January 14 that the cause of the fire had been welding equipment used at the garage, however the value of the damage caused was not known.
A scene guard remains in place in advance of a site visit from the Health and Safety Executive.
A significant investment by Lincoln ice cream makers Daisy Made will see a 49% expansion in its floor space, as well as a new menu and an Orangery-style snug for customers.
The company, which started out selling its home made ice-cream in what was effectively a summerhouse on Lincoln Road, just off the A46, continues to grow as the new investment sees its building nearly double in size.
Expansion works will include a bigger kitchen with new equipment, allowing the company to expand and improve upon its current food menu to attract customers all year round, and not just when the sun is shining.
The new menu will include breakfast baps, omelettes, pancakes, a wider selection of cakes and of course real dairy ice cream sundaes.
The cafe will be refurbished and redecorated to provide a fresh new look and the drive-thru will also be extended to include a second hatch.
Daisy Made will remain open for business during the refurbishment and work is expected to be completed in early March.
To celebrate the completion of the expansion, the company will be hosting an open weekend for customers to sample the new menu with free teas and coffees and a limited number of balloons for children.
Matt Scarborough owner of Daisy Made Ice Cream said: “The expansion is our chance to offer something back to our customers, who have helped us grow for the last 24 years since we opened our doors in 1992.
“With a refurbished cafe, a bigger and better serving area, and an expanded food menu, we want to improve our service during those manic summer days, but also offer a cosy and pleasant environment to enjoy a coffee and a cake when the weather dips.
“The ethos of the business won’t change though – good fun, good food and home made real dairy ice cream all enjoyed on the farm.”
