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A Co-op shop in Mablethorpe was relaunched on Thursday after a makeover costing over £1.5 million, which has seen the addition of a new Boyes home and family department store.

It took 12 weeks of improvements to transform the 17,000 square foot Seacroft Road Co-op store, including a new 3,600 square foot home for Boyes, which created 12 new retail jobs.

It is the first partnership between Boyes and Co-op and the shop reopened with its new look on Thursday, December 2.

The transformed shop includes the addition of a new 3,600 square foot home for Boyes. | Photo: Co-op

Co-op Store Manager Kevin Ferguson and Lynn Riches, who is Regional Manager for Boyes. | Photo: Co-op

The Seacroft Road Co-op supports around 50 local jobs and includes a free ATM, Post Office services, bakery, Costa Coffee dispenser, and an extensive range and focus on fresh, healthy products, meal ideas, food-to-go, award winning wines, Fairtrade, ready meals and pizzas, free-form, vegan and plant-based products, and everyday essentials.

The store includes customer car parking and is powered by 100% renewable electricity. A new self-service laundrette is being added to the car park.

Co-op’s online shop has also been introduced at the shop to offer online home delivery and click & collect of groceries.

Meanwhile, students in Mablethorpe who are TOTUM cardholders (the new name for NUS extra) will receive a 10% discount of Co-op groceries.

Store Manager Kevin Ferguson. | Photo: Co-op

Kevin Ferguson, Co-op Store Manager, said: “We have had a great response!

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to invest in Mablethorpe, the store has been completely transformed and we are delighted to have added a new Boyes store which we are confident will prove to be a very popular addition.

” We have worked hard to create the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to better serve the local community. We are really looking forwarding to welcoming members and customers old and new into the new-look store.”

Inside the store, which reopened on Thursday, December 2, 2021. | Photo: Co-op

The Seacroft Road Co-op store reopened on December 2 after a makeover costing over £1.5 million. | Photo: Co-op

Richard Boyes, Managing Director of W. Boyes & Co Ltd, said: “Boyes is delighted to be joining the Co-op in this new partnership and we believe our large and varied range of products will nicely complement everything the Co-op has to offer so between us we can provide a new level of convenience and service to customers in Mablethorpe.

“Our team is very excited to be opening in Mablethorpe and we look forward to our store becoming part of the local community.”

Plans to more than double the size of the Boston Pilgrim Hospital Accident and Emergency Department have finally been submitted to Boston Borough Council.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has asked for permission to complete the new facilities, which will see the cardio-respiratory, dental and support services building demolished and the existing emergency department retained and expanded into a brand new two-storey extension.

Documents said the plans will create a more welcoming approach to the hospital and help tackle the NHS Long Term Plan’s key improvements for emergency care, including comprehensive clinical screening, reducing the length of stay needed and increasing staff numbers.

“By expanding and reforming urgent and emergency care services, the practical goal is to ensure patients get the care they need fast, relieve pressure on A&E departments, and better offset winter demand spikes,” they said.

“The scheme addresses all these critical points and provides a key opportunity to address emergency care provision for the next 30 years.”

A map showing the areas to be demolished and expanded. | Image: ULHT

The department will more than double in size, according to the proposals, with more training rooms for staff, have a much bigger resuscitation zone and more cubicles to treat patients in, as well as having a separate area for emergency care of young patients.

The plans were originally announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2019 when the hospital was given £21.3 million government funding.

When they were later revealed in October 2021 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive, Andrew Morgan, called it a “major milestone”.

How the build will look once finished. | Image: ULHT

“This is not only about the care that we provide today, but also for future generations,” he said.

“This design is going to deliver everything that we need it to and will give our patients and staff the first class environment that they need and deserve.”

Once planning permission is granted, final approval will be sought from the Department of Health and Social Care.

A family from Ruskington have gone above and beyond to help their local fire service light up Santa’s sleigh for his tour of Lincolnshire this month.

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue are currently helping Santa Claus brighten up his sleigh ahead of a Lincolnshire-wide tour to get people in the Christmas spirit.

It was discovered that some of his lights were broken, but thankfully a family in Ruskington were on hand to help Father Christmas during his time of need.

The family were treated to a light show from a fire engine as they donated festive lighting for Santa’s sleigh tour. | Photo: Andy Mahoney

Louise Barratt, her partner Andy Mahoney, brother David Barratt and niece and nephew Levi and Penny, were eager to help Santa, so they paid a visit to their local fire station on Wednesday evening to donate some Christmas lights for his sleigh.

Louise said: “After recently hearing that our local fire service were helping Santa brighten his sleigh, it seemed only right that we recruit some new helpers for Santa.

“It was our mission to help Santa in his time of need so he can visit the local towns and villages later this month, ahead of his busiest night of the year, and to bring a little extra joy we want him to shine brighter than ever!”

Louise’s nephew Levi got to get some hose training in with the firefighters! | Photo: Andy Mahoney

During their visit to donate the lights, Louise’s nephew Levi was allowed to do some hose training with the fire team, and her niece Penny even got fitted for a new uniform.

Louise added: “Look out for Santa coming to a street near you, shining even brighter thanks to his new little helpers!”

Needless to say, this family will absolutely be on Santa’s nice list this Christmas, thanks to their wonderful act of generosity and kindness.