February 26, 2015 7.00 am This story is over 108 months old

Co-op unveils plans for Lincoln Cornhill Quarter redevelopment

A new shopping quarter: Lincolnshire Co-operative unveiled plans to redevelop the Cornhill Quarter in Lincoln city centre and revamp the historic Corn Exchange.

Lincolnshire Co-operative is consulting on plans to redevelop the Cornhill Quarter in Lincoln city centre, which will see a combination of refurbishment, extensions and new development in the area.

In the first phase, Co-op is proposing to strip away the modern extensions to the existing Corn Exchange and create elegant shop fronts within the existing openings at ground floor level.

The main Grade II listed building will be subdivided and extended to create several shops and restaurants, which are hoped to appeal to both local and national traders.

Co-op also plans to revamp the 30a – 35 Sincil Street facades with new double-height glass shop fronts, which will make the buildings visible form the High Street once the modern extensions to the Corn Exchange are demolished.

Modern extensions to the Corn Exchange will be demolished, allowing views of the new facades from the High Street.

Modern extensions to the Corn Exchange will be demolished, allowing views of the new facades from the High Street.

The redevelopment of the buildings on Sincil Street will create around 30,000 m² of new retail space and a new wide walkway to the 1,000 space car park planned by the City of Lincoln Council as part of the Lincoln Transport Hub alongside a new bus station next to the train station.

The former Blue Banana store, one of the unsightly modern extensions to the Grade II listed Corn Exchange.

The former Blue Banana store, one of the unsightly modern extensions to the Grade II listed Corn Exchange.

In parallel, the City of Lincoln Council is developing proposals for its Market Hall after a study it commissioned recognised the future viability of the local market proposition. One of the ideas is to consolidate the markets and invest in the Central Market Building.

All these works are part of the Lindongate scheme to revamp Lincoln city centre over the next few years.

An overview of the Cornhill redevelopment as part of the wider Lindongate scheme

An overview of the Cornhill redevelopment as part of the wider Lindongate scheme. Click/Tap to zoom

Lincolnshire Co-operative Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter said:“Reaching this stage has taken considerable time and effort on the part of the various teams involved. However, previous consultations have made it clear that our members and the wider public want and need the regeneration of this part of the city.

“It is imperative we get it right.”

“The progress already made on elements of the original Lindongate planning permission, such as the funding now secured for the transport hub, create a positive step for Lincoln.

“We believe that focusing now on The Cornhill Quarter, with the benefits it will bring local residents, businesses and visitors, will mean a desirable and deliverable change to the city.”


What do you think of the plans? Comments on the proposals can be made until 6pm on March 6 via the www.cornhillquarter.co.uk website, which is available from 9am on Friday, February 27.

A public consultation is also being held on Friday, February 27 between 10am and 6pm at 30a Sincil Street, Ln5 7ET for shoppers, residents and traders wishing to have their say.