January 13, 2016 2.49 pm This story is over 103 months old

Lincoln’s mini barons get competitive on social media

Mini barons: Lincoln shoppers have been hunting a new set of barons, this time miniature versions.

The Lincoln baron trail is still creating a buzz around the city with the mini barons upping the competition on social media in their big brothers’ absence.

These mini barons have been appearing in shop windows, counters and offices across the city and have caused nearly as much excitement as the big barons themselves.

The miniatures have begun to compete for the favour of Lincoln visitors and residents, totting up ‘likes’ on their very own Facebook pages.

The businesses displaying the most popular Mini Baron was Widow Cullen’s Well in Steep Hill, which attracted 462 Facebook “likes” and 19 photographs.

The winning Baron at Widow Cullen's Well

The winning Baron at Widow Cullen’s Well

The next nine hot favourites were:

  • Modern Classics Café, The Strait (103 likes)
  • Debutante, Steep Hill (64 likes)
  • Café 44, Sincil Street (57 likes)
  • Sincil Salon, Sincil Street (55 likes)
  • Pimento Tea Room, Steep Hill (46 likes)
  • Vis a Vis, Bailgate (45 likes)
  • Follie, Bailgate, (30 likes)
  • Optima (5)
  • West Parade (29 likes)
  • Alive Church, Newland (28 likes)

Over the summer, the Lincoln Baron Trail brought many people to the city on a baron hunt and there was much disappointment at the news that in the autumn they were to be auctioned off to the highest bidder for charity.

To keep the spirit of the barons alive, Lincoln BIG delivered a mini baron to each of its levy paying businesses and challenged them to decorate their figurine then put them on public display.

Shoppers and visitors were then encouraged to explore the city, look out for the colourful figures, snap them and post their pictures on Facebook – and, of course, “like” their favourites.

Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan said: “This fun initiative has kept the excitement of the original Lincoln Barons’ Charter Trail alive and we received some great responses.”

Lincoln Visitor Information Centre Manager Michele Sims said many people bought mini barons to give to people as Christmas presents.

“Our “paint your own” mini barons have proved hugely popular. We are still getting people asking if they are still available and we are pleased to tell everyone that we have just ordered another batch of the figurines,” she said.