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Multi-million pound works to refurbish the now empty Lincoln Central Market have now begun.

The last traders left the building on April 15 (see their new locations here) ahead of the works to the Grade II listed market after investment from Historic England through the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme.

The works will include the partial demolition and construction of a new two-storey extension to the south of the building (at Butchers Corridor). This will accommodate a new commercial unit, planned to be a restaurant, with a roof terrace.

A centrally located food court will also be housed inside the revamped building, while City Square and Sincil Street will be re-paved and the roof on the existing market building will be replaced. New unisex and accessibly toilets will also be installed.

The works being carried out by local construction company Lindum are expected to be complete by the end of 2023.

Some £5.9 million investment has also been earmarked for the project thanks to a successful bid for funding through the Be Lincoln Town Deal, which has seen £19 million awarded to the city by government to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth.

Design for a potential new-look Lincoln Central Market. | Photo: COLC

The proposed scheme is for the major regeneration of the Central Market building, which will include:

• The opening up of the blind arches on the north and east elevations
• A new mezzanine floor and relocation of the existing butcher and fishmonger stalls into the main market hall under the mezzanine incorporating its own glazed entrance
• Replacement roofing and glazed lantern
• Demolition of the butcher’s corridor to the south of the building and the construction of a new two storey extension to accommodate a new restaurant with a roof terrace
• New heating and lighting in the building
• Freestanding stalls in the interior space of a contemporary, minimal design for local businesses to promote local produce and an area within the centre of the Market Hall to accommodate seating for the associated food outlets within the stalls.
• Unisex toilets including disabled and baby changing facilities

It is also proposed to repave and enhance external areas in City Square and Sincil Street to encourage the evening economy, with space for outdoor dining by the waterway and events.

The addition of the mezzanine level will allow for additional seating and flexible uses. The creation of the standalone restaurant unit within the new two storey extension, will create a further ‘destination’ dining space as well as supporting the evening economy.

Some pretty major works are planned for Lincoln’s Central Market. | Image: Daniel Ionescu for The Lincolnite

Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said: “The vision for Central Market for some time has been to design a building of destination, an attractive and modern retailing and leisure space, offering a mix of stalls and delivering a place where people want to visit and dwell rather than simply pass by en-route to the High Street or the Transport links in the city.

“Thanks to funding from government’s Towns Fund and High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), we now have the opportunity for major investment into the market to create a sustainable future for this important historical asset, which will in turn support the diversification and recovery of the High Street.”

The market was first built in 1937 to the design of architect Robert Atkinson and incorporates the relocated façade of the original 1737 butter market, which was located at St Peters at Arches in Lincoln.

The police and crime commissioner for Lincolnshire has voiced his backing for proposed government plans to allow volunteer officers to carry Taser stun guns on duty.

The government will authorise the use of electric stun guns for voluntary officers, so long as they complete the specific training, which translates to 12 months’ service and 200 duty hours after they achieve “directed patrol status”.

There are currently around 8,900 volunteer officers in England and Wales, who have the same powers and uniforms as paid officers, and the plans to expand these powers to carrying a Taser will be announced by Priti Patel on Tuesday.

The Home Secretary will make the announcement in a speech to the annual Police Federation conference, as the Home Office say the plans will help officers not feel disadvantaged when confronting attackers or criminals.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

Lincolnshire’s head of crime Marc Jones took to social media on Tuesday to welcome the news, describing Tasers as “life saving tools” that protect people.

Mr Jones said: “Very pleased to see this happen. Chief Constables should ultimately decide who in their force should be trained to carry Taser including warranted specials. These life saving tools help protect officers, the general public and those it is pointed at.”

He went on to say there is a commitment in Lincolnshire to increase the number of officers trained to carry a Taser to 350, something the PCC describes as a “significant increase”.

Tasers were introduced to the UK in 2003, initially limited solely to firearms officers, before being extended to training non-firearms officers in 2008.

The calls for more officers holding tasers have resulted in a mixed reaction, with many citing an incident in 2016, when former footballer Dalian Atkinson died of a cardiac arrest after being stunned by a police officer for 33 seconds – more than six times longer than the normal cycle.