A new John Deere specialist is hosting its grand opening on Station Road, Langworth, near Lincoln on Friday, January 15 after a £500,000 investment to expand into the county.
Family business F G Adamson & Son has specialised in the sale and repair of garden machinery, engines and spare parts for over 70 years and during this time has become a prominent supplier in Yorkshire.
The horticultural engineering firm will be specialising in John Deere products along with other well known brands within the industry like Lastec, Allett, Charterhouse, Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, Honda, Hayter, Briggs & Stratton and more.
The company will be selling a wide range of equipment such as lawnmowers, strimmers, hedge-trimmers, chainsaws & blowers all the way through to compact tractors, utility vehicles and commercial turf cutting equipment to both the homeowner markets and commercial users.
So far the new depot has created five jobs, which comprises of two fully trained service technicians and three sales persons all of which have been employed from the local area.
In addition to the grand opening, F G Adamson & Son will be hosting a chainsaw open day Saturday, January 16. Customers will be able to take advantage of special offers on many products including chainsaws, log splitters, safety clothing along with other items used with chainsaws.
There will also be representatives from Stihl UK and Morton Training to provide free training on the safe use of chainsaws along with best practices while using a chainsaw.
John Adamson, joint owner of the family business with his brother Mike, said: “F G Adamson & Son have been supplying garden machinery, parts and service for over 70 years from a single outlet in Yorkshire. The opening of our new depot in Lincolnshire therefore represents a significant moment in our history.
“We very much look forward to the opportunity of providing premium brands including John Deere, Stihl & Hayter to Langworth, its surrounding villages and the wider area of Lincolnshire supported by our reputation for excellent service and backup.
“We have a comprehensively stocked parts department and a fully trained service department to provide machinery back up – including service, repair and warranty work.”
For years I have lived and worked in the shadow of a small group of amazing people who are continuing to develop ground-breaking advances in engineering, technology and science – and all from their Lincoln laboratories. I’m astounded and ashamed (in equal measure) that I knew not of their existence.
Applied Materials Technology are based in Lyndon Business Park to the south of Lincoln and in addition to their state of the art electroplating services, these boffins have been the proud recipients of private and state funded grants enabling them to develop some of the most exciting projects I have seen in a long time.
Through Research and Development, AMT’s engineers and scientists are creating (with their research partners) a blanket that will breakdown bilirubin (the cause of the yellow colouring from jaundice suffered by around 650,000 babies in the UK each year).
The current medical treatment is phototherapy, and involves the separation of mother and baby whilst powerful lights are shined on the baby’s skin. “Babylight” will facilitate treatment whilst the baby is reassuringly held in parents’ arms – and can be used at home or on the move.
Working closely with The Welding Institute and the Nofer Institute in Poland, Group Director Iain Glass has developed a prototype airborne asbestos detector for use at a disaster scene; which will remove the delays incurred from laboratory sampling of dust and debris – and would allow our firefighters to remove cumbersome protective clothing and respiratory equipment should it be prudent to do so.
The list of ground-breaking projects underway at their facilities is staggering – from improving the design of power electronic modules (PEMs) for electric vehicles to developing advanced manufacturing technologies that will realise massive cost-savings in both time and the prevention of material wastage.
Don’t get me started on their Cryogenic Vacuum and Pump technology though; I’ll be waxing lyrical for days… or on their work in developing high-end laser applications and deformable optics; production of pharmaceuticals from plant tissue culture; integrated power modules for hybrid and electrical vehicles; and the development of a portable laboratory for offshore wind farms that will assess the quality of the turbine blades using infra red technology (in association with the National Physical Laboratory) – to name but a few!
I know I’m a geek and devour all things engineering – but it is staggering that such exciting projects which will have beneficial implications for millions of people are being developed right under our noses in the heart of Lincolnshire. Not Silicon Roundabout in London, not the science parks associated with the South West of the UK – but right here in Lincoln.
This is another example of how diverse and exciting the industries of Lincolnshire are (and not just the ‘big boys’ either). I for one hope that this hidden gem (and many more like them) do not remain that way for long.
More than 450 people have now registered to attend Lincolnshire’s biggest B2B event, the Lincolnshire Business Expo at The Lincolnshire Showground from 8.30am on Thursday, January 21.
With 20 events, including seminars, specialised networking and workshops, the much anticipated Lincolnshire Business Expo will help businesses from across the county come together and find solutions for growth, protection, financing and much more.
Daniel Ionescu, Publisher of The Lincolnite’s sister publication Lincolnshire Business and organiser of the event, said: “With this being the first B2B conference event that we’ve organised, we are thrilled at how much interest The Lincolnshire Business Expo has received.
“We have 60 exhibitors and over 450 people have already confirmed attendance. We’ve also had over 390 bookings across the 20 events on the day.
“There will be over 20 expert speakers from all over the county who will be sharing their knowledge with delegates in a bid to support, inspire and provide crucial tips for business growth.
“As Lincoln has recently been named in the top 10 cities for startup businesses, the Lincolnshire Business Expo will help to show the rest of the country what we have to offer and why Lincolnshire means business.”
Most events on the day have been fully booked but there is still availability on select sessions (check the agenda here).
Entrepreneur Mark Riley has decided to make his mark in Lincoln by opening his dream tattooing venture.
Mark plans to welcome his studio’s first customers next month at the parlour in Waterside South.
Originally from Derby, Mark is ploughing years of experience into Ink Junction, after working in a busy Skegness tattoo parlour for the last ten years.
He said: “I have been envisioning having my own place for the last five years and I finally decided it was time to take the plunge. I live locally and have seen how the University of Lincoln has expanded and the growth of the city generally.
“My new studio is nice and centrally located and will also catch the eye of passers-by.”
Mark is also tapping into the rising demand for tattoos, from people of all ages – many encouraged by the designs sported by their favourite film and television celebrities.
Mark is creating a downstairs reception and relaxation area for customers, and turning the upper floor of his premises into a private studio area, where he will be offering all manner of custom designs, working freehand to create brand new pieces. He will also be doing cover-up work.
Once he gets his business established, Mark plans to go on to also offer body-piercing – a complementary service – from the premises.
Lincoln-based chartered surveyor Banks Long & Co has let a unit in the city’s Waterside South to the tattooist.
Surveyor Harriet Hatcher said: “We are pleased to let the Waterside unit to Mark. It is in a really good position in the heart of the city and is capable of capturing the attention of passers-by, as well as regular trade. We wish Mark every success.
Lincolnshire’s biggest B2B event has been officially launched at the Lincolnshire Showground, where more than 450 delegates have registered to meet 60 exhibitors and attend up to 20 events throughout the day.
Running until 5.30pm, the first Lincolnshire Business Expo will provide delegates with the opportunity to network with hundreds of other businesses across the county to gain innovative ideas, find solutions for business growth and much more.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Daniel Ionescu, Publisher of The Lincolnite’s sister publication Lincolnshire Business, and organiser of the event, said: “All of the stands and exhibitors are ready to go and delegates have already started arriving for the fully packed day.
“People are still able to turn up, even if they haven’t registered to have a look around the exhibitors and be inspired by the wide selection of businesses that are available across the county.
“It is a great opportunity to meet new clients and find new businesses that can help you reach your business goals.”
Follow #LincsBizExpo
Most events on the day have been fully booked but there is still availability on select sessions (check the agenda here).
People can follow the action throughout the day on social media by using #LincsBizExpo.
The inaugural Lincolnshire Business Expo has seen more than 450 delegates and 60 exhibitors come together at the Lincolnshire Showground.
Providing a host of firms with the unique opportunity to network with hundreds of others and attend up to 20 events, the expo is the biggest B2B event in the county.
The event is hosted by The Lincolnite‘s sister publication Lincolnshire Business.
People can visit the expo until 5.30pm, with limited availability on select sessions (agenda here).
Many have been sharing the action throughout the morning on social media using #LincsBizExpo.
Burton Road Chippy in Lincoln celebrated a couple portion of success at the 2016 National Fish & Chip Awards on Wednesday, January 20.
The shop was crowned with the NFFF Quality Award ‘Champion’ Award and Marketing Innovation Award during a prestigious ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel in London.
Sponsored by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the NFFF Quality Award ‘Champion’ Award recognises businesses who continue to raise the standards of the nation’s fish and chips.
The Marketing Innovation Award, sponsored by the Q Partnership, rewards businesses that use innovative thinking and practices to develop and implement their communication strategies.
Along with their significant contribution to being the UK’s leading NFFF ‘quality’ fish and chip shop, Burton Road Chippy also proved to have a unique creative flair in their marketing strategy and activities over the past year.
Business owner Des Anastasiou, said: “We’re honoured to win not just one award but two! The team has worked relentlessly over the last year to improve our business so to be able to take two awards back to them really is the best way to say thank you.
“We always try to be original and think outside the box when it comes to marketing.
“We’re also very active on social media, consistently promoting the nation’s favourite dish through competitions while engaging with other fish and chip shops.”
Mel Groundsell, Corporate Relations Director of Seafish, said: “With the NFFF’s Quality Award being such an integral influence on today’s fish and chip businesses it is important for us to recognise and celebrate businesses holding the NFFF accreditation, promoting its ethos to customers and business benefits to other fish and chip operators.
“Throughout the judging process, Burton Road Chippy stood out for their passion and continual dedication towards raising the standards of the industry.”
Now in their 28th year, The National Fish & Chip Awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK.
The first Lincolnshire Business Expo held at the Lincolnshire Showground on January 21st was a resounding success with over 700 delegates, 60 exhibitors and 20 events and speakers throughout the day.
Organised by Lincolnshire Business magazine, the first Lincolnshire Business Expo was also the largest B2B event in the county with 20 events throughout the day and 60 exhibitors.
Most of the events were fully booked across the board and delegates were inspired by talks from IoD Regional Director Ron Lynch in his seminar ‘Entrepreneurs – Born Or Made?’ and Mike Stokes from Positive Networking, who hosted Matrix Networking.
Visitors and exhibitors had a busy day making new connections and catching up with business contacts.
Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Business
At ‘Lincolnshire 2020: A Vision for Business’ Jon Grubb, chaired the panel on the future of the Lincolnshire economy, the opportunities and the support available for both growing and established businesses.
Panelists Julian Patrick, CEO of Freewatt, Andrew Stevenson, Director of Research & Enterprise for the University of Lincoln and the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment, Strategic Planning and Tourism at Lincolnshire County Council Colin Davie fielded many questions.
Topics also included how public sector cuts are affecting the local economy, as well as the prospects for renewable energy in the county and the UK.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Ben Jarvis who runs Lincoln Business Club hosted The Networking Sandwich.
He said: “People who network use the conversations that they have more effectively rather than try to sell to people. Networking isn’t sales, networking is relationship building.”
Bright Media was one of the sponsors and exhbitors at the Expo.
Sarah Wallace, Senior Account Manager, said: “We specialise in IT, hardware and office supplies and we didn’t know if we were going to be meeting the right kind of people, but it turns out that we have!
“I think it has really boosted business and I think it’s brilliant. It’s got our name out there and it’s better than we imagined it to be. I honestly hope that we will be able to do it again next year.”
Branston (Potatoes) Ltd, based near Lincoln, has submitted a planning application with North Kesteven District Council for an expansion which would create 19 new jobs.
The extension to an existing building on site would create a new potato peeling facility, which will provide additional capacity and specific production requirements.
Proposed site for the extension
The comapany said the need for a new extension has been building since January 2005 when Branston started supplying Tesco with value added prepared potato products.
Should the planning application be granted, the new facility will provide peeling lines, finished load assembly areas and a storage mezzanine as well as 19 new full time jobs on top of the existing 293 staff already on site – increasing the size of the existing building by 3,712m sq.
In addition to the building extension, yard areas to the north and south of the building would be extended accordingly and the existing external internal access roadway will be replaced by a new roadway located further east.
Trundley Design Services, submitting the application on behalf of Branston, stated: “Part of this development is to carry out additional potato peeling operations on site in order to add value to second grade crops.
“The fresh potato packing operation adjacent to the prepared facility already sends out the majority of the second grade material in the form of boxed products for markets or in bulk for further processing by others.
“In this scheme it is proposed that the prepared site takes the majority of this material and peels it on site for distribution to retail and ready meal producing customers.”
The report notes contributions that Branston has made to the local economy. It says: “The economic importance of this site is of major significance particularly considering that much of its expenditure is concentrated in the Lincoln region.
“The value to local potato producers runs into millions of pounds and is all the more remarkable considering the difficult period UK agriculture has experienced over the past decade.
“The company invests not only in its own highly skilled staff but also endeavours to support many local service providers.”
The application will be considered by North Kesteven District Council’s planning committee at a date to be confirmed at a later date.
Entrepreneur Kelly Evans has made it her life’s work to make small changes that will have a big effect on the world. After working in the public sector and seeing how many people from all different walks of life want to make positive changes, she started Social Change UK to give them the building blocks they need.
Kelly spent six months in upstate New York in 1998 documenting the lives of children who had been sent to a summer weight loss camp for the BBC and became determined to find out the underlying issues that shape people’s lives.
“It was what’s known as a ‘fat camp’,” said Kelly. “I found that these kids had really bad emotional problems and issues at home – they weren’t addressing any of that. So the children would come for the summer, lose some weight and then they would be back again the next summer.
“It was a big eye-opener for me and it made me think about the issues in a more complex way.
“It was a really interesting part of my life that helped shape who I am today. It’s why I set up this business and the reason for the journey I took after that. I became so passionate and engrossed in how you tackle these issues.”
For many years, Kelly worked in the public sector, from the NHS to government, but with the change in government in 2010 and the subsequent cuts, many civil servants, including Kelly, lost their jobs through redundancy.
“I had always wanted to run my own business. I was quite lucky and I worked pretty hard to work my way up in the public sector and in government.
“At that point I needed to decide if I wanted to go out and look for another job in an environment that was really tough, especially in the field that I worked in, or if I attempted to start my own business – the kind of business that I think is really lacking in this area. So I thought that I would give it a go.”
Keen to make a real difference, both to people’s lives or the impact that people and businesses have on the world, Kelly created Social Change UK at the age of 30 – a business that she envisioned would change the world one step at a time.
In just five short years, Social Change UK has already made a name for itself and is responsible for a number of national and international campaigns like Change for Life, Smokefree and has even advised the government on climate change.
Kelly Evans, Founder of Social Change UK
A change for the better
To some, it may seem like an idealistic approach, but Kelly strongly believes that every business needs to change at the same rate as the world around them and not be held back by outdated traditions and processes.
In an attempt to help companies in Lincolnshire understand that they can play a vital role in helping communities, climate change and the environment, she organised the Secrets of Sustainable Business conferece last October to show how the smallest change could have a huge impact – and it could even mean the survival of a business in the years to come.
“Businesses won’t survive long term because we, as people, really demand more from the businesses and brands that we work with.
“We want to know that they aren’t just here to make profit. We know that making money and profit makes the world go round, but actually we are starting to choose businesses and organisations that do something more than just what they initially set out to do.
“As consumers start voting with their feet, businesses need to stand up and think about their wider purpose as an organisation. We can see that in the statistics and where the money is flowing at the moment. It is more towards companies and brands that do make a difference or do at least contribute towards a better society.”
It is a big challenge taking on the world of business and not just becoming a part of it, but Kelly is also trying to influence and change other companies’ ideas and structures in a bid to help them grow. She has found that many are very set in their ways.
“Still so many people don’t get it or understand why we should be doing this. Because we have been in a recession, a lot of the emphasis for business is quite rightly around this push for making sure that their business survives. It’s very much about price and profit and keeping people employed.
“One of the biggest challenges has been trying to persuade businesses that this makes business sense because actually purpose equals profit and we need to think like that.
“There are some businesses that are really behind the times, it’s a bit controversial but if you are still doing business in the old way, then don’t expect to be here in five to 20 years time.”
A £200,000 investment has given Lincoln Bowl a fresh new look, with staff proud to announce latest technologies have made it the most up-to-date bowling ally in the UK.
The makeover given to the bowling venue on Washingborough Road includes new upholstery and tables as well as technological upgrades such as automatic bumpers.
These allow individual players the choice of having them up or down on a turn by turn basis rather than being stuck with one or the other.
Interactive touchscreen LED consoles now provide the ability to take a selfie, which can be displayed on animations between turns and, when logged into Facebook, automatically uploads scores and animations straight to the feed.
Simon Craddock, Director of Lincoln Bowl said: “We felt bowling was making a comeback and decided to invest in the future of the bowling side with a £200,000 upgrade to the newest bowling system.
“As part of the upgrade, we are also in the process of installing online bookings which will show live availability of lanes at Lincoln Bowl.
“We are becoming increasingly busy at the weekends, Saturdays are especially busy and we recommend booking first.
“The new lane furniture has been designed with a greater emphasis on combining bowling with food and drink as an evening or afternoon out.
“The new system will also enable the customers to order food and drinks from the lanes, meaning you don’t have to leave the fun. This is especially true with larger bookings over two lanes for up to eight people, which gives a larger private area for the group.
“We recommend customers try our Friday evenings offer which is 20% off bowling, food and drinks from 6pm all evening.”
A new major business park proposed for Lincoln could attract up to £25 million of investment for the local economy, creating some 200 new jobs in the process.
Discovery Park on Whisby Road to the south of the city would give firms an opportunity to buy or lease bespoke premises, designed and built to their individual requirements.
The seven-acre site is suitable for a range of businesses and plans to accommodate units from 4,000 sq ft upwards.
Ariel impression of how the Discovery Park on Whisby Road, Lincoln
In addition to the anticipated new jobs, the development will generate a boost for local building and supply chain operatives involved in constructing the new premises.
Banks Long & Co Director William Wall, who are partnered with construction firm Lindum Group for the creation of the Discovery Park, said: “This is a prime location, offering excellent access to the A46, the A1 and the wider East Midlands. We expect the site to appeal to both local and regional manufacturers and also regional and national companies wishing to offer trade counter facilities.
“Commercial development land has always proved to be scarce in Lincoln and this strategic acquisition will allow Lindum to deliver much-needed employment space.”
Lindum Group Chairman David Chambers said: “With the potential for more than 100,000 sq ft of new build business premises, this scheme could provide investment of over £25 million to the area.
“By providing bespoke design and build premises, on competitive freehold and leasehold terms, and being situated on the recently widened Whisby Road – with direct transport links to the A46 – this new business park has much to offer local businesses looking to expand or relocate, as well as inward investors looking to move to the county.
“Using our own experienced design and build team, we are able to provide solutions to meet the specific needs and requirements of clients’ businesses. Based on the proposed plans as they stand, this could create or secure 200 jobs at the site.”
North Kesteven District Council Leader Councillor Marion Brighton OBE, who has a special interest in economic growth, welcomed the new business park as a further initiative developing the distinctiveness of the District’s northern edge, as a place to do business, within the increasingly popular LN6 sector.
She added: “North Hykeham is one of the region’s most attractive locations as a place to do business. As a council, we are investing heavily ourselves in new units for start-up and growing businesses just along the road from Discovery Park and have an active partnership to promote LN6 and open further its potential for inward investment, expansion and growth.”
Saying the grain and seed industry changes with the weather is as close to the truth as you can get for many companies in the agricultural industry, but David Sheppard, 53, has been part of a team that has helped to create a successful national business since becoming Managing Director of Gleadell in 2005. With the help and support of a good team, good strategy and a bit of luck, the company has more than doubled in size over the last 10 years to become one of the UK’s leading grain, oilseed and pulse exporters, a significant supplier to UK millers, feed compounders and other consumers of grain and a large scale supplier of fertiliser and seed to UK farmers.
Taking on the responsibility of a company that in 2005 was 125 years in the making, was no small feat. David’s predecessor had already started a change of course by setting up a team in East Anglia in 2001. Now David and his fellow directors had the responsibility of taking up the challenge of the continued expansion. Gleadell now has six offices across the country, organises 90,000 lorry movements and between 250 and 400 ships per year, but the company was first planted in Lincolnshire.
“The Gleadell family owned the company until the mid 1980s, and indeed our head office in Hemswell which the company bought from them in around 1999,” explained David. “A lot of the staff are local to here and it’s a big grain area. Actually the three largest companies in our sector are all based in Lincolnshire.
“It’s a county where the name Gleadell counts for a lot in our world and we’ve been active in Lincolnshire for all of our existence. Similarly the name Dunns, Long Sutton, the seed and pulse processing business Gleadell bought in 2012, is a long standing and well-known name in Lincolnshire and further afield.”
With a £500 million turnover and continued expansion, David puts the success of the company down to several factors but one key aspect is the people in the business.
“Everyone in Gleadell and Dunns has bought in to being successful and supplying a good service. Nobody can do what we do without working as a team. We have excellent farm traders who deal with 6,000 farmers all over the country, we have forwarders who organise all of the transport, all backed up by good systems and back office colleagues – at the end of the day it’s down to the quality of the people.”
With equal shares, Gleadell is owned by American company ADM and French cooperative InVivo. “They’re of great assistance to us in dealing internationally where we perhaps don’t have the local influence or the contacts and both have been shareholders since the early 1990s.”
David and the shareholders of Gleadell aim to maximise company growth and a percentage of profits is reinvested into the company for expansion or development – a process that has been in place since the start. “We’re trying to make 1% net profit. So if we can make somewhere between £5 million and £7 million of pre-tax profit every year, that’s what we’re aiming to do. We operate in a market where large turnover and small margins are the order of the day.
“Since I have been MD we have grown considerably and we have put a lot of resources into training and the development of people. Young people want to see their career moving forward, they want to see progression and I think that’s something that we have come to recognise.
“Career development is just as important as how much they earn sometimes. What you take home at the end of every month isn’t necessarily it, it’s ‘where am I going to be in five years time and what can you offer me in terms of development that’s going to make my career interesting and exciting?'”
David Sheppard, Managing Director for Gleadell
Making a smart investment
With a keen interest in building things, David has successfully managed to not only help and watch the company grow, but also played a key part in what have been record breaking shipments. The company has commissioned new equipment to streamline the loading of grain onto ships for export, making it as efficient as possible sending grain across the world to over 140 countries.
“We like building things, it’s not as if I am machine mad or anything, but to envisage a project and then to see something that actually works and operates and does what it’s meant to do is a good feeling.”
In 2010 Gleadell invested £6 million into a new site at Great Yarmouth grain terminal to help with the ever-expanding business and it is something that David is very proud of.
“When we started talking to the port in Great Yarmouth, there was just a harbour and nothing in it at all. About 18 months later we had a grain store, we had our own ship loader and we saw the first vessels to load from that facility.
“I had been involved from the moment we started drawing on a piece of paper what it might look like and how it might work. In the last two years, we’ve done record volumes out of there. If I look back, that’s probably one of my key achievements.”
There has also been significant investment at Immingham with Associated British Ports, where Gleadell helped to develop a unique ship loader next to a specialist grain store.
A special trade fair showcasing the talents of almost 120 young Lincoln entrepreneurs will return to Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln this weekend for the 10th year.
The Young Enterprise Trade Fair takes place on Saturday, January 30 from 9am to 5pm outside of Roman and Superdrug on the centre’s lower level.
The county’s sixth form entrepreneurs will also be setting up shop in the city centre, putting their unique range of products on display for Lincoln’s weekend shoppers.
Some of this year’s Young Enterprise businesses include:
Uni-T – selling a book which about surviving life after school, titled What’s Next?, created by a group of twenty Lincoln Minster students
#ReSweet – selling a tasty variety of packaged sweets
Crafted With Love – selling wooden and other craft gifts, such as wooden owls, flowers wreaths, metal signs, heart-shaped decorations and bird signs
Chantelle Henderson, Marketing Coordinator at Waterside Shopping Centre, said: “Setting up in an actual retail environment for a day is key to boosting the confidence of these young small business owners, so we couldn’t be happier to support them on their journey to growing their companies.
“Plus, our shoppers absolutely love browsing all of the unique products on offer during the fair, especially since they often make for great Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day gifts!”
As part of the day, standout young people will be awarded with the title of Best Trade Stand and Best Product, among others.
Judging and selecting winners will be members of the local business community, including Paul Caxton, Site Operations Manager at the Waterside Shopping.
Among the schools confirmed to take part is William Farr C of E Comprehensive School in Welton, Lincoln.
William Farr Year 12 pupil, George Tait, who is also IT Director of ‘Crafted with Love’, said: “I’m looking forward to the Trade Fair at Waterside because it will give all our company members experience in meeting and trading with a wide range of people, while also developing our communication skills.”
Fellow entrepreneur and William Farr Year 12 student, Rosie Butler, co-MD of packaged sweets company ‘#ReSweet’, added: “We have been very successful trading within our school and are really looking forward to the experience of selling to a wider market at the Trade Fair.”
Colleagues and customers at Lincolnshire Co-op joined forces in 2015 to bake, race, raffle and run their way to an impressive £112,890 total for the society’s Charity of the Year, Teenage Cancer Trust.
It’s money that will go towards helping young people with cancer in the trading area, as well as providing education sessions on the warning signs of cancer to local schoolchildren.
In July staff in branches all over the county and beyond swapped their normal hairstyles for outrageous wigs, raising more than £20,000 in just one day. The ‘get wiggy with it’ initiative saw them stand in solidarity with teenagers with cancer by donning wigs while raising cash for the cause.
Photo: Stuart Wilde
On average, £309 was raised for Teenage Cancer Trust every single day in 2015 thanks to the dedication of colleagues and the generosity of customers.
As well as sponsoring events and buying cakes and raffle tickets, shoppers have raised hundreds of pounds through the sale of charity air fresheners and pin badges in outlets.
Generous staff have rounded their wages down to the nearest pound and donated the leftover odd pence to the cause, raising over £1,500, while Salvation Army clothing banks in 31 food store car parks have added £12,000 to the pot.
The cheque was handed over in a jubilant ceremony at Lincolnshire Co-op’s Washingborough Food Store, where top fundraisers got together with representatives from Teenage Cancer Trust to celebrate the total.
Local teenagers Eryk Gadomski (18) from Newark and Chelsey Whittock (14) from Lincoln came along to celebrate the donation and take part in the presentation.
They benefitted from the support of Teenage Cancer Trust while undergoing treatment for cancer; Eryk was treated on a specialist ward for teenagers while Chelsey attended the Find Your Sense of Tumour conference where she met other young people in similar situations.
Corporate Account Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust Annmarie Carey worked closely on the partnership, and she said she was thrilled by the total: “The fantastic support we’ve had from Lincolnshire Co-op will enable us to support even more young people like Eryk and Chelsey in Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas. We can’t thank Lincolnshire Co-op’s staff and customers enough for their fundraising efforts.”
Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Engagement Manager Sam Turner said: “All of the hard work that my colleagues have put in has really paid off in the fantastic sum that we’ve raised for our Charity of the Year.
“Staff vote for the charity that they’d like to see us support, and they really got into the fundraising spirit this year – without their dedication and the generosity of our customers we couldn’t have raised such a brilliant total.”
People eating out in Lincoln will for the first time have the opportunity to dine with a movie at one of the city’s newest restaurants.
The new Wildwood restaurant, currently being developed on Lincoln High Street in the former Mall Shopping Centre, is set to offer visitors a unique private cinema room, available to hire.
The launch of the brand’s first Lincoln restaurant is also set to create around 30 new jobs.
As previously reported, work started to transform former shopping arcade into the new Wildwood restaurant at the beginning of January and it is expected to open in May.
Wildwood, which is owned by Tasty Plc, and specialises in grilled dishes, stone-baked pizza and freshly-prepared pasta, has had Lincoln “on its radar” for some time and has picked a location which is ideal to catch regular local and passing trade.
The Wildwood chain is taking over the former Mall on Lincoln High Street.
Local firm Maher Millard Construction has been contracted for the revamp by chartered surveyors Banks Long & Co.
Tim Bradford, Managing Director of Banks Long & Co, said: “Wildwood’s innovative approach to its newest venue spells good news all round.
“This is a new concept for the city and we think it will go down a storm. It is also creating 30 new jobs.
“The “cinema room” will be open for bookings by business groups and organisers of mini conferences and available for hire privately by families, including those who want to host a children’s party and entertain the youngsters by showing their own film (DVD).
“In addition, Wildwood will also be offering regular Thursday film nights, designed to appeal to people who want to relax over a meal and take in a film, as part of a leisurely evening out.
“The fact that Wildwood is bringing its name here reflects the ongoing growth being seen in Lincoln and the city’s increasing ability to attract food and entertainment businesses which have traditionally favoured other major towns and cities first.”
A team of Lincolnshire leaders will return to international property event MIPIM 2016 on a mission to promote investment in the county.
Led by Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), Team Lincolnshire has grown from nine members in 2015 to 22 members, 12 of which are from Lincoln, ready to take on MIPIM this year, which takes place on the March 15-18 in Cannes, France.
MIPIM attracts thousands of investors and developers from across the globe and puts Greater Lincolnshire on a level playing field amongst not just UK and European cities, but also international ones.
For the third year, GLLEP and Team Lincolnshire will head to the MIPIM in a bid to showcase Greater Lincolnshire and encourage investment into a number of sectors including business park developments, food enterprise zones, housing-led urban extensions and leisure and retails projects.
Alongside the GLLEP, the 21 private sector firms based in Lincolnshire and beyond include Pygott & Crone, Delta Simons, Gleeds, Simons Group, Morgan Tucker, Lindum Group, Willmott Dixon, Jackson & Jackson, William Saunders, Building Design Services, BSP, LK2, cpm, Couch Perry Wilkes, Stirling, Globe Consultants, Core Architects, Taylor Lindsey, Bond Bryan, Dynamic Lincoln and The University of Lincoln as a partner.
Greater Lincolnshire continues to grow with investment and the multi-million pound Growth Deal investment will allow further opportunities over the coming years.
The deal means that there will be over £48m in investment in 2015/16 followed by another £63m from 2016/17 onwards.
Ruth Carver, GLLEP manager, said: “MIPIM provides a major opportunity for Greater Lincolnshire to build our economic growth. I’m overwhelmed with the commitment we have had from such an impressive line-up of businesses wanting to be part of Team Lincolnshire.
“We had an incredibly successful MIPIM last year – building awareness of how commercially sound our area is.
“We have many selling points but the key one for our area is space, something that’s lacking in other areas of the UK, especially in the south. Greater Lincolnshire offers space and affordable land values, making it the ideal area for businesses to set up and expand in.”
First time sponsor Mark Noonan, Customer Relationship Director at constructor Simons Group, based in Lincoln, added: “MIPIM gives us the chance to meet with a large number of key associates in one place over a three day period, something that is almost impossible to do in the UK.”
As Lincoln is named in the top ten cities for business startups, Andrew Stevenson is proud of the work he and his team have achieved whilst he has been Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Lincoln. In the last four years he has helped to nurture new businesses around the city through incubation centres, helped to combat a skills shortage and set up new communication channels to bring Lincolnshire organisations together.
After four years of hard work, everything seems to be coming together for both his career and for the pride he feels in helping graduates and startup businesses succeed, even if he did take a very unusual path to get to where he is today.
Whilst completing his degree in Geology in Liverpool, Andrew had been working at the American Adventure theme park in the catering department and realised that this was more in line with what he wanted to do.
Andrew leapt from the rocks and into running his own restaurant, a Pierre Victoire franchise in Sheffield. He gained valuable experience of what it is like to set up a new business, and when an opportunity opened at the University of Lincoln for someone to set up an incubation centre for startups, he took it. “I had done a part time MBA while I had been running the restaurant, so I guess the university thought that I had a combination of the practical and the academic skills as well.”
Through setting up partnerships with companies like Siemens, he was able to tackle the skills shortage in the region and loved the feeling of helping both businesses and graduates find the right positions.
“It’s the right match in circumstance. It’s about connecting the right people in those organisations at the right time, understanding what the drivers are on both sides and trying to match those drivers up.”
Andrew is a man with many titles, including Director and Chair of the East Midlands Incubation Network, Director of Investors in Lincoln and Director of Metnano Ltd – all programmes and schemes that the University of Lincoln supports.
“I think my favourite part is the variety. I’m hugely excited by the fact that I get involved with everything from the Science and Innovation Park and doing startup work on that for the university, through to careers and employability work that we do around getting graduates into the careers they want. It is fantastically rewarding. I also get to help our academics secure research grant income through to investor network projects.
“The variety and the opportunities my work give me, to meet with different people and to do different things, is what gets me up in the morning and keeps me going.”
Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Lincoln Andrew Stevenson. Photo: Steve Smailes
A Lincoln family butchers which was devastated by a fire in August last year has announced its official reopening on Thursday, February 11 after months of restoration work.
As previously reported, the fire that hit the business was caused by an electrical fault with one of the refrigerator appliances.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue tackle the blaze at Foster & Sons on Monks Road, Lincoln
Now, Paul and Mark Foster, directors of the local butchers and bakers are putting together the final touches to restore their family business, which was founded in 1888.
They also told The Lincolnite they have a special and unique surprise for the opening ceremony.
Paul said: “Its been very challenging but we are moving on. Now we are getting close to the finish, we’re delighted with all of the work behind the scene that’s gone in to make it look as it does now.
“We have been very meticulous about how it is finished off because we want it to look as good as the meat does in the window. So it has a lot to live up to.”
Mark added: “A big thank you to our customers who have stood by us as well. We have tried to give them the best service that we can under difficult conditions.
“We have had lots of support and people can’t wait to get us back. It has been quite overwhelming. It’s that along with the support of our staff and our suppliers that has given me and Paul the strength to go through with this and rebuild.
“We’re not quitters, we don’t give up easily and it’s tested us to the absolute limit but we’re nearly there now and we’re really quite excited about getting going.”
Work to construct the £6.8 million Boole Technology Centre on the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park is officially underway.
The centre is expected to house more than 20 highly innovative businesses and directly create or secure 53 jobs, an impact which will expand with the growth of the park.
Partly funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, through the Government’s Growth Deal Programme, the building sits at the core of the science park’s mission to enhance the Lincolnshire economy by stimulating further business growth and innovation across the county.
Founded by Lincolnshire Co-op and the University of Lincoln in 2012, the 2,398 sqm centre is the first building on the science park to be purpose built for technology businesses.
It will allow firms to co-locate with their peers as well as the main University of Lincoln laboratories.
The Boole Technology Centre will help to further the science park’s strategy of building a community of technology businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and researchers both on the site and across Lincolnshire.
Lincoln Science and Innovation Park Director Tom Blount. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Business
Director Tom Blount said: “Of course it’s important that we create a highly-skilled jobs on the science park, but equally important is that we support the development of firms with strong links into key Lincolnshire sectors.
“By nurturing highly innovative small and medium enterprises who are suppliers to major local employers, we make those big companies more competitive and help protect jobs throughout the county.”
The Boole Technology Centre continues the redevelopment of the Beevor Street site by celebrating its industrial heritage.
The new building will retain the iconic Ruston Bucyrus substation as part of its design.
Newly built alongside this will be a highly flexible mix of laboratories and offices with access to facilities across the site including cafés, meeting rooms, university research facilities and close links to the city centre.
The building is named after George Boole, whose bicentenary was celebrated last year. Boole was a Lincoln born, self-taught mathematician, who, whilst living in the city, developed the mathematical basis of logic that underpins all modern computing.
The Boole Technology Centre will open at the beginning of 2017.
