Over 50 Lincoln residents met at the Grandstand Community Centre on October 12 to discuss potential uses of the iconic building in the future.
For the past few weeks, Emile Van Der Zee, leader of the campaign to stop the return of horse racing on the West Common, has been collating ideas for the project.
Van Der Zee introduced this summer a website for the Grandstand, which aimed to encourage residents to contribute with ideas to redevelop the crumbling building.
The meeting on Tuesday night was the culmination of the project, but did not nail down an answer over the burning questions regarding the future of the Grandstand.
Alongside Van Der Zee (pictured L-R), Councillors Helen Heath, Robert Parker, Karen Lee, and Neil Murray were on the panel at the meeting fielding questions.
Abandoned racecourse plans
Despite promises to return with fresh plans to reinstate horse racing on the West Common, the Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company (LRRC) halted any further activity, according to reports.
Faced with stiff public opposition, the company said its original plans to return with amended plans for a racecourse on the West Common will not materialise.
The change of mind comes after LRRC withdrew at the last moment a proposal for the site put forward to the City of Lincoln Council in June.
With no more proposed plans to develop the Grandstand, Lincoln residents have been looking into a more community-friendly use of the building.
Many ideas, but few feasible
In total, over 30 ideas were submitted on the Lincoln Grandstand website, but only a few were actually discussed at the meeting on Tuesday.
Among those discussed were the use of the Grandstand as a hub for small businesses, an art project, a day nursery, a restaurant, or as a conference centre.
These ideas however are not feasible due to legal restrictions via the 1985 Lincoln Commons Act, which does not allow for such uses of the building.
Gently crumbling for many years
Residents expressed their dissatisfaction over the state of the iconic building at the meeting, which last received an overhaul over 15 years ago.
Around £97,000 was spent on maintaining the Grandstand over the last three years, but some felt the building could do with more maintenance work.
A resident proposed to use people on anti-social behaviour orders to repaint the building, while many suggested removing the fencing from the viewing gallery.
The councillors present said they would put these ideas forward to the City of Lincoln Council over the coming weeks.
Helen Heath also said improving the look of the Grandstand is a priority, as it looks ugly, and some form of decorative boarding would really help.
“We know there is a community group that is looking at ideas for the Grandstand, and seeing if any are viable,” said City Council Deputy Leader Marc Jones.
“The main issue that needs to be addressed is if the ideas fit in with the Commons Act, which dictates what can and can’t be done with the Grandstand.
“We’ll be happy to meet with community members to discuss ideas and see if there is a positive way forward,” Jones added.
Uncertain outcomes
“It was interesting to see that at least some new ideas have come forward, and that they can be added to the existing ones we have,” said Van Der Zee.
“Up to this morning I was very positive about some of the [legal] aspects, [but] I am not very optimistic anymore to a good legal solution to the Grandstand.
“The default option is a community centre, which is what it is now.
“I had hoped that the building could have a more sustainable use until it generates an income, bring jobs to the local community, but we just have to accept the way it is.”
“We’re a long way from making any firm decisions yet,” said Helen Heath, “but the important thing about this was consultation.”
“I don’t think we’ve really come forward with anything solid,” said Karen Lee, “but it was something useful to do.”
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: