First draft plans reveal major makeover of The Lawn in Lincoln

The company in the running to acquire The Lawn in Lincoln has revealed a first draft vision for the 19th century building’s transformation into a coffee roasting headquarters and attraction.

RW Stokes & Sons, who were in November 2014 selected as the preferred bidder for the sale of the Grade II listed building, are consulting with local residents and businesses on their outline proposals for the site.

The Lawn off Union Road in Lincoln.

Their vision for the iconic building would see it taking on the role of the company’s HQ, housing a roastery, packaging, storage, offices, a viewing area and a cafe and restaurant.

Events space would be used for themed evenings such as jazz nights, live music and educational performance space.

The new city attraction would also be a training hub for the company, as well as creating a number of jobs with additional retail shops and a new restaurant encompassed in the plans.

An artist’s impression of how the East Wing of The Lawn would look under the proposals.

Working with agents Banks Long & Co, Stokes are hosting a public consultation session on Wednesday, December 16 with local residents and neighbouring businesses, prior to finalising the planning application for the site.

Those attending will be able to view large-scale plans and have their say on the proposals between 4pm until 7pm at The Lawn’s currently empty shop unit, off Union Road.

Stokes are also asking those who wish to submit a response to the initial proposals to email their views in to [email protected].

The proposed site plan, ahead of a finalised planning application.

Owners of the asset, the City of Lincoln Council, put the building out to tender at the beginning of 2014. The sale to Stokes, of an undisclosed value, has not yet been finalised.

The Lawn site totals around 1.62 hectares, and includes three main buildings: the main Lawn complex, the conservatory and Charlotte House, as well as the south lawn and car parking.

As previously reported, the Joseph Banks Conservatory is outlined for demolition in revamp plans, making way for an extension of the car park.

The Joseph Banks Conservatory at The Lawn in Lincoln. Photo: Richard Croft

The city council agreed that the conservatory was in poor condition and ‘not commercially viable’.

A possible site has been outlined in the Dawber Gardens for a new conservatory. The Joseph Banks Society is looking into ways to raise funds for a new build but no plans have yet been outlined.