— Later update: Reaction from Lincoln MP Karl McCartney*
Plans to reinstate horse racing in Lincoln have been put on hold. The Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company (LRRC) withdrew its proposal three days before the City of Lincoln Council Executive Committee was meant to examine the plans.
In an unexpected move, LRRC announced that it will put on hold its plans for a racecourse on the West Common around five hours after Emile Van Der Zee, the head of the Hands Off Our Common campaign, submitted a petition with over 2,000 signatures against the proposal.
“We received notification from LRRC late [Thursday] that they wish to withdrawal the proposal which was to be discussed as part of Monday’s Executive meeting,” said Chris Dunbar, Communications Manager from City of Lincoln Council. “The meeting is still scheduled to take place as planned.”
Controversial council officer report
LRRC’s decision to hold their plans is reportedly due to an inaccurate City of Lincoln Council officer’s report to the council’s executives in the dawn of Monday’s meeting. “The report to be presented to the Executive is a fair appraisal of the proposal, taking into account both the information presented by LRRC and the comments of the Commons Advisory Panel,” Dunbar said.
The Commons Advisory Panel deemed LRRC's plans incomplete, and recommended against the proposal.
“We are disappointed to note that the report does not reflect adequately the many and varied discussions that have taken place between ourselves and the council over the past couple of years, nor does it acknowledge the format or information requested be contained in our proposal as requested by them,” Karen Rastall, a director with LRRC, said in a statement.
Rastall also alleged preconceptions regarding LRRC’s proposal from the City of Lincoln Council. “It has only been the onslaught of media attention that has encouraged them to escalate this matter onto their agenda, we think that this is further evidence of the officers’ desire to kick a project as important as this into the long grass to avoid making a decision on its future,” she said.
“The Council have always been aware of the commercial sensitivity of this project and the nature of the speculative spends. The creation of a limited company came about as a direct consequence of previous discussions with themselves and their indication to us that they needed a corporate body to deal with in the first instance if considering any lease or first rights.
“To not have that matter as an option for consideration at the Executive meeting is totally unacceptable to the investors in this project.” The City of Lincoln Council declined any further comment prior to Monday’s meeting.
LRRC, run by Rastal and Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, is not ready to back on its plans. “The LRRC will continue to lobby for regeneration of the Grandstand and associated areas and to bring back professional flat racing to Lincoln, this may be in consultation with other bodies or partners, only time will tell.”
*Disappointed Lincoln MP, but with clear conscience
“Obviously I am disappointed by this outcome,” Karl McCartney said in a statement. “Both I and the other board members of Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company Limited have never sought to gain financially from this proposal.
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney: 'For me racing was about wanting to bring prosperity to our city.'
“The City Council and their officers have continually moved the goalposts, and the options they put forward do not reflect the discussions we have had regarding a Heads of Terms Lease,” the MP said.
“However, like other board members I was surprised at the content and options put forward and made public by the City Council for consideration as they were not what we had been led to believe was the correct way forward for the process and so were perturbed, to say the least, considering our conversations and the direction given to us previously,” McCartney added.
“For me racing was about wanting to bring prosperity to our city and I now wait to see what plans the City Council and its senior officers have in store for regenerating and bringing new jobs to the city plus what plans it has to upgrade the grandstand and the amenities and facilities on the West Common. My conscience is clear, I have always been open and stated that my aims were the promotion, growth and economic well-being of the area I represent.”
Anti-racecourse campaigners will not rest
Emile Van Der Zee handed an anti-racecourse petition with over 2,000 signatures to the City of Lincoln Council on Thursday.
Emile Van Der Zee, the coordinator of the Hands Off Our Common Campaign, said he is happy about the latest developments, but there are still challenges ahead. “The LRRC has said that they may be back. It is now our challenge to use the momentum and develop some good alternative plans for the Grandstand and the area around it.”
“This is not the end of our activities! Although we have won, we will need to work hard in a constructive manner with all existing interest groups and political parties to do something good for the Grandstand and for the West Common. The really interesting work begins now,” Van Der Zee added.
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A Lincoln care home resident had a day she’ll never forget after celebrating her 106th birthday by being served lunch by a butler in the buff.
Norah Shaw received close to 200 birthday cards after an appeal from Tennyson Wharf Care Home in Burton Waters.
As well as being served lunch by a buff butler provided by Butlers in the Buff, Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer Eleanor Mattley, as well as cake and wine.
Norah enjoyed chatting to her buff butler Ed. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
The care home said: “Well, what an absolutely fantastic day for a truly special lady.
“We would just like to say a huge thank you to every single person who sent Norah birthday cards and presents. We are all so touched by the heartwarming kindness that has been shown. It really has been astonishing.
Norah even got a card from The Queen. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“Norah was blown away with the generosity and kindness so thank you to each and and every single person for being so amazing. It was so lovely to all be a part of seeing Norah enjoy them all.
“As you can see, Norah thoroughly enjoyed her butler in the buff surprise. The amazing kitchen supplied a wonderful afternoon tea which Ed, the butler served to Norah. What an experience that was for everyone involved.
Norah celebrating a birthday she will never forget! | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Staff enjoyed celebrating Norah’s birthday with her. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer – Eleanor Mattley. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“We finished the day with a special performance from Norah’s all time favourite singer Eleanor Mattley Productions – Care Home Entertainment with prosecco and cake. The atmosphere was amazing as staff and residents joined together in song and dance for a truly magnificent afternoon.”
A new bar promising dancing bartenders and over 100 cocktails will open in Lincoln on Tuesday, and The Lincolnite went for a sneak preview as the first customer.
Be At One, which is managed by Stonegate Pub Group, will open on the High Street in the former Curiosity Shop on August 9 after more than £750,000 worth of investment.
The bar features an electric colour scheme with teal, pink and blue furnishings throughout. Gold and silver accents complete the space, with LED walls, ceilings, and neon signs lighting up the night. The bar also has an outside terrace area for guests to enjoy.
Lincoln will be the 38th Be At One to be opened by Stonegate Pub Group in England and Wales and General Manager Oskar Wozniak can’t wait to welcome the first guests through the door.
See inside Be At One Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Oskar Wozniak is the General Manager at Be At One Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Oskar, who has worked at other Be At One venues in Birmingham and Leeds, told The Lincolnite: “I am excited. Once we’re open and doing what we do best, throwing a great party and making the best cocktails, we look forward to being a go to venue in Lincoln.”
Bar staff at Be At One Lincoln served up a range of cocktails for The Lincolnite, including classics such as Pornstar Martini, as well as its very own ‘Raspberry Beret’ and ‘Pretty Whiskey Business’.
Adding the finishing touches to a cocktail! | Photo: Steve Smailes at The Lincolnite
Raspberry Beret is a popular Be At One cocktail across the country. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new bar saw four members of the Be At One team move over to Lincoln and over 10 new jobs were also created.
Be At One Lincoln will be open daily at the following times:
Monday to Wednesday – 4.30pm-1am
Thursday – 4.30pm-2am
Friday – 3pm-2am
Saturday – 12pm-2am
Sunday – 3pm-1am
A view from the second floor. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Be At One Lincoln is located in the unit formerly occupied by Curiosity Shop on the High Street. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite