One-star hygiene ratings have been handed to two restaurants in uphill Lincoln, with management of food safety flagged up by inspectors.
Cafe Zoot on the Bailgate and Thai Corner Restaurant on St Paul’s Lane were both given one star ratings in their most recent hygiene inspections.
Thai Corner received scores of ‘generally satisfactory’ in reference to its hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and condition of its facilities, but requires ‘major improvement’ on its management of food safety.
Cafe Zoot also fell short of food safety management standards, and were found to have satisfactory food handling measures and cleanliness levels, when it was inspected on September 14, 2021.
It is the first time either restaurant has been given a one star hygiene rating, with Thai Corner having previously scored four in August 2018 and January 2017, the latter of which when it was trading as Thai Castle Restaurant.
As for Cafe Zoot, that was last inspected in January 2020, scoring three stars, the same as it scored in June 2018, dropping from five stars in March 2016.
The Lincolnite contacted both establishments, but neither sent a reply at the time of publication.
A Lincoln mum is among hundreds of customers who were left feeling angry and frustrated at delays and cancellations of the highly anticipated North Pole Experience at Newark’s Thoresby Park.
The North Pole Experience was due to take place at the park from November 13 to December 23, with individual tickets costing between £34.99 and £52. After initially being delayed, the event now appears to have been cancelled with no news yet as to when, or if, it will be rearranged.
Event organiser North Pole Experience Ltd issued a statement to customers via email on November 28 saying they wanted “to ease any concerns” due to “speculation and false information posted on social media” – read the full statement here.
They claimed the weather and the venue’s ‘Risk Assessment and Insurance’ meant the event could not go ahead. The statement says that they made a decision not to open this weekend (November 27-28) despite the fact the event was due to start two weeks earlier.
However, Thoresby Park said: “The continued failure by The North Pole Experience to open, despite half completing their set up has disappointed us as much as anyone else.”
Visitors to the experience were originally promised a bustling elf village and woodland cabin where they would meet Father Christmas.
There would also have been a North Pole Post Office, toy factory and ice rink, as well as food, drink and entertainment.
A Lincoln mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted The Lincolnite saying she had been due to attend the event, but has still heard nothing back from the organisers.
She described it as a “rather large scam with hundreds of families out of pocket with now nowhere left available to book in to see Santa elsewhere” after paying around £145 for her and her family.
She said: “We paid £32 a ticket plus ticket protection which is now invalid. I bought tickets for my husband and I, and our two children aged seven and five.
“I have previously contacted them on Facebook regarding the event with no response, their website is now inactive and even Thoresby Park cannot make contact.
“It’s a shame. With it being at Thoresby and they themselves advertising it, I felt confident they had done the relevant checks and that it was a legitimate business.”
Thoresby Park also appeared to be disappointed, saying: “They (the event organisers) seemed competent and were able to provide references and we hoped to enable another successful event to wrap up the year.
“Unfortunately, this has not come to pass. The continued failure by The North Pole Experience to open, despite half completing their set up has disappointed us as much as anyone else.
“The estate does not believe this is due to malice however the outcome is the same. North Pole Experience have failed to meet their obligations to us and to the public.”
The event organisers said that anyone wishing to reschedule an effected booking should email [email protected] with their selected date and time, and they will do “everything possible to accommodate these requests”.
They added that for anyone wishing to make a claim, or initiate a refund request, it has to be processed directly through https://www.ticket-refunds.com/ as the organisers “cannot assist with this”.
Meanwhile, Copper Entertainment has tried to do its bit to help the frustrated customers, by offering discounted tickets to their event in Nottingham to those who have been affected.
Can you help with the identity of the man in the image?
We believe the man in the image can help with information regarding an offence of criminal damage.
Around 11.20 am on 15 November a man, in his 20s, wearing a black hat, dark grey jacket, black trousers with a white bag with blue shoulder strap, was seen spray painting a wall at the St Marks shopping centre.
The word Juice was spray painted on the old Boots store, on Station Street, St Marks, Lincoln. The man has then gone onto place stickers on various pieces of street furniture around the city centre.
We are appealing for help to identify the man and ask anyone who can help or thinks they may know who he is to get in touch.
There are a number of ways to do this:
• By clicking on the email link [email protected] – please remember to put the reference incident 118 of 15 Nov in the subject box.
• Via our non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 118 of 15 Nov
• Through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
By Dr Karen DunderdaleDirector of Nursing, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust
Column by ULHT’s Dr Karen Dunderdale, Director of Nursing/Deputy CEO and Director of Infection Prevention and Control
The change in the weather marks the beginning of a very busy time for the NHS.
With colder temperatures comes the increase in cases of flu and norovirus, as well as COVID – which is why we all need to play our part in protecting ourselves and each other.
At this time of year norovirus, or the winter vomiting and diarrhoea bug, is common. It is highly infectious and easily spread through close contact with someone, or by touching surfaces which have germs on them or eating food prepared or handled by someone who has norovirus.
Symptoms are typically, feeling sick, diarrhoea, being sick and can be associated with a high temperature, aching arms and legs and headache. Symptoms usually start one-two days after being infected and usually you will start to feel better after two-three days. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
Another infectious bug is the influenza (flu) virus. For the majority of people, flu is unpleasant but not life-threatening. However, it can be very serious for those groups at risk of developing complications including people with weakened immune systems, as well as those with underlying conditions such as liver, lung or renal disease, heart problems or diabetes and pregnant women.
Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You’re more likely to give it to others in the first five days. Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu ensure you wash your hands often with warm water and soap and use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze then bin used tissues as quickly as possible.
The flu vaccination is offered to every ULHT member of staff free of charge. Members of the public can contact their GP to find out more about how to get a flu vaccine. The vaccination is free if you are aged over 65 years, are pregnant, have a long term condition (such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease or multiple sclerosis) or are a carer.
As COVID is still with us, I would encourage those who are eligible to get the free vaccinations, and booster when they are contacted to do so. This has been a vital step for the country in the fight against COVID and in protecting ourselves and those around us.
Good hand hygiene can also help to limit the spread of infections and there are some simple steps that we can take to help stop viruses spreading. These include washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. If you’re in a hospital, pay attention to hand hygiene notices such those asking you to use alcohol-based hand rub upon entering and leaving the ward. Also continue to wear a mask whilst in NHS healthcare settings.
People worried about prolonged symptoms should contact NHS 111 or ring their GP, not visit their surgery. They will be able to provide advice for people who are at greater risk from dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting, such as young children or the elderly.
How to practice good hand hygiene
Ensure you regularly use alcohol hand rub available on all wards to clean your hands, especially before touching patients
Wash your hands with soap and water when anyone has diarrhoea, to prevent the spread of infections such as norovirus which can be a problem during the winter months
If you have symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting do not visit the hospitals until you have been clear of these symptoms for at least 48 hours
Dr Karen Dunderdale is the Director of Nursing at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Lincoln Christmas Market will return to the city on Thursday, December 2 until Sunday, December 5.
The festive extravaganza was postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Lincoln Christmas Market usually sees around 250,000 people pour into the Cathedral Quarter for festive fun and cheer across the four-day event.
Normally, more than 250 stalls will line the grounds of Lincoln Castle and the streets surrounding the city’s Gothic Cathedral, as visitors shop for Christmas gifts and enjoy the wide range of festive treats on offer.
The 38th Lincoln Christmas Market will have over 150 stalls and fun for all the family, including a fun fair and big wheel offering spectacular views of Lincoln – see the full list of stalls here.
Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed to attend the Christmas Market except assistance dogs.
Traffic restrictions and road closures
Traffic restrictions will be in place for the 2021 Lincoln Christmas Market.
The Lincoln Christmas Market Temporary Traffic Regulation Order comes into force on Thursday, December 2.
Any vehicles parked after this time within the restricted areas will strictly be parked in contravention to the order. However, to accommodate the needs of residents the restrictions will not be enforced until 8am on December 2, but vehicles remaining after this time may be subject to a penalty charge notice.
Road closures for the 2021 Lincoln Christmas Market.
During the build up to the event and the Christmas Market itself, it is necessary to restrict some roads within the area to a one way system. There will be some areas with no waiting cones on Carline Road to ensure access is maintained.
Traffic restrictions will be in place in the build up to the Lincoln Christmas Market.
During the event the following restrictions will be applied, as and when necessary, between 12.01am on December 2 and 11.59pm on December 5:
These restrictions will be applied, as and when necessary, during the Lincoln Christmas Market.
The event closes to the public at 7pm on Sunday, December 5. Stallholders will be leaving after this time and road closures within the inner area will be in place until 10pm.
Further information for local residents in the uphill area of Lincoln can be found here.
Car park closures
Car park closures for the 2021 Lincoln Christmas Market.
If you have a lawn season ticket, these are also valid in Broadgate and Chaplin Street car parks.
Meanwhile, businesses affected by traffic restrictions in the market area are entitled to apply for a numbered outer business access pass. This is for genuine access to businesses – see more information here.
Park & Ride
There is no parking in the vicinity of the Christmas Market, so people are being advised to use the Park & Ride service.
The services operates from the Lincolnshire Showground on the A15 just north of Lincoln, and the site will be well signposted on all approach roads.
There is also a dedicated service for people with disabilities, using specially adapted vehicles which also runs from the Showground.
All buses drop off close to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life on Burton Road.
Pre-booked tickets can be purchased online here at £12 per car for an open dated ticket, which can be used on any one day of the 2021 event.
On the day charges per car are: Thursday £13, Friday £14, Saturday £15, and Sunday £14.
A vehicle carrying eight to 15 people is classed as a mini bus and the fee per vehicle is £25.
Opening times for Park & Ride:
Thursday, December 2: 11.30am-10pm
Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4: 9am-10pm
Sunday, December 5: 9am-7.30pm
Bus, train and coach travel
Bus
Stagecoach will be running a shuttle bus for the Lincoln Christmas Market, which will run every 10 minutes.
It will run from Bay D at Lincoln Central Bus Station between December 2 and 5. There will also be additional late-night services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
A shuttle bus service will be in place during the Lincoln Christmas Market. | Photo: Stagecoach
People can also travel into Lincoln from Grantham, Horncastle, Skegness, Market Rasen, Grimsby, Gainsborough, and Scunthorpe on Stagecoach’s InterConnect network – see more information here.
Train
LNER will put on a special weekend timetable with longer trains and extra seats. The nine-coach Azuma trains stop at Lincoln station on their way to and from London King’s Cross.
Saturday, December 4 (Northbound)
• 11:00 London King’s Cross to Inverness via Lincoln at 12:44
• 11:30 London King’s Cross to Leeds via Lincoln at 13:21
• 13:30 London King’s Cross to Leeds via Lincoln at 15:19
• 16:30 London King’s Cross to Edinburgh via Lincoln at 18:14
• 19:00 London King’s Cross to Newcastle via Lincoln at 20:44
Saturday, December 4 (Southbound)
• 06:56 Skipton to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 09:01
• 09:45 Leeds to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 11:01
• 09:52 Aberdeen to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 16:01
• 17:45 Leeds to London King’s cross via Lincoln at 19:01
• 14:52 Aberdeen to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 21:07
Sunday, December 5 (Northbound)
• 09:00 London King’s Cross to Aberdeen via Lincoln at 10:45
• 11:00 London King’s Cross to Inverness via Lincoln at 12:44
• 14:00 London King Cross to Leeds via Lincoln at 15:46
• 19:00 London King’s Cross to Newcastle via Lincoln at 20:47
• 20:00 London King’s Cross to Leeds via Lincoln at 21:44
Sunday, December 5 (Southbound)• 09:40 Leeds to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at [service and stopping time TBC]
• 09:56 Newcastle to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 12:05
• 09:40 Inverness to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 17:17
• 17:42 Leeds to London King’s Cross via Lincoln at 18:57
There are direct services from locations including Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness. This comes after LNER worked with Network Rail to come up with a solution for the Christmas Market following a review of its previous service.
Due to key upgrades on the East Coast Main Line on Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5, LNER trains between Doncaster and Peterborough will be on diversionary routes with replacement coaches provided for people travelling to/from Grantham, Newark North Gate and Retford.
Complementing the rail services will be direct replacement coaches between Lincoln and Peterborough with a separate coach service linking Grantham, Newark North Gate and Retford.
City of Lincoln Council has reassured visitors travelling by train to this year’s Christmas Market that potential strike action should not affect key East Midlands Railway services.
Coach operators planning to bring a group to the Christmas Market must pre-book first by midnight on November 26 – see more information here.
Further Information
Should you need assistance or want to report anything, there will be police officers, or stewards wearing pink hi-vis tabards, to speak to. As well as this, the market has extensive CCTV coverage which is monitored and recorded in a dedicated control room for your safety
Accessible toilet facilities for disabled people are available, including at the Park & Ride site at the Lincolnshire Showground
There will be medical and welfare facilities on site for all visitors at the event
Wheelchair and mobility scooter loan – Shopmobility, which is located at Lincoln Bus Station, provides daily loans of manual wheelchairs – contact 01522 514477 for more information
Face coverings are once again be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from Tuesday, November 30 — but pubs and restaurants are exempt for now.
The Prime Minister announced the new, temporary measures to respond to emergence of UK cases of the Omicron COVID variant, with the first two cases in Nottingham and Chelmsford.
The government said the measures are precautionary, and will be reviewed in three weeks. MPs are due to vote on confirming the measures after they come into force.
The other significant change affects international travellers, with everyone entering the UK (other than those coming from the Common Travel Area that covers the Channel Islands and Ireland) will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
Travel restrictions have already been implemented to slow the spread of the variant. From Sunday, November 28, South Africa, Botswana, Lesostho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibi, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola were added to the UK’s travel red list.
About COVID-19 Omicron
The Omicron variant contains a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome.
Early indications suggest this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and current vaccines may be less effective against it.
A rapid rise in infections in South Africa has been attributed to the spread of this new variant of COVID-19.
Health secretary: “plans as normal for Christmas”
Sajid Javid told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday it would be “irresponsible to make guarantees” but the measures announced this week in reaction to the Omicron variant will “buy us time” to enable scientists to assess it.
“People should continue with their plans as normal for Christmas, I think it’s going to be a great Christmas,” he said.
But Mr Javid said the country was “nowhere near” reintroducing measures such as working from home or social distancing, arguing that they carry a “heavy price” economically, socially and in terms of mental health.
He added that he was expecting the government’s vaccines advisers to advise him “imminently” on broadening the booster programme to younger age groups.
