February 6, 2019 4.33 pm This story is over 61 months old

Sincil Bank community hub and shipping container studio open

The mayor cut the ribbon to open both facilities

The Mayor of Lincoln Councillor Keith Weaver (right) cutting the ribbon with Paul Carrick, Neighbourhood Manager at City of Lincoln Council (left) at a new community hub during his time as mayor. Photo: Stuart Wilde Photography

A new community hub and innovative shipping container studio space has been officially opened in Lincoln.

The two facilities were opened in a joint event held by the City of Lincoln Council and the University of Lincoln.

Community Hub

A ribbon cutting ceremony inside the new community hub. Photo: Stuart Wilde Photography

The hub on Portland Street opened its doors to residents on December 21 last year with over 100 visitors so far.

The city of Lincoln mayor officially opened it in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday (February 5) to mark the next phase of the regeneration of Sincil Bank.

The hub is the new space for the council’s Neighbourhood Team. It will act as a focal point for improvements in the area. It will allow local residents to access advice and guidance during the improvement project.

People inside the new community hub. Photo: Stuart Wilde Photography

Chief Executive at the City of Lincoln Council Angela Andrews said: “Community work and engagement has been taking place in Sincil Bank for a number of years, and over this time, we have seen a real shift in focus to ensure that the community change is being led by the residents.

“At the gateway to Sincil Bank with approximately 2,500 households and over 6,000 residents, the community hub will enable residents and visitors to receive advice, engage in community meetings and have a self-service access point right on their doorstep.

“We look forward to seeing the difference this makes to a community that is very important to us in Lincoln.”

New Ground Lab

The official opening at the University of Lincoln’s new Ground Lab. Photo: Stuart Wilde Photography

An official opening was also held at the University of Lincoln’s new Ground Lab on the corner of Portland Street and Hermit Street.

The converted shipping container will provide a unique meeting and teaching space. It is hoped it will foster collaborative projects between students and the Sincil Bank community.

The space will be used by academics and students from across different disciplines who will work on a range of community engagement projects during the regeneration.

Design Studio sessions and presentations hosted by the University’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment will also take place to give residents the opportunity to engage in community design meetings.

Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln’s School of Architecture Trevor Elvin led the Ground Lab project.

He said: “We are delighted to be on site. Ground Lab continues to deliver on the university’s commitment to be a civil university which services the community in which its sits.

“Over the next five years we look forward to engaging the Sincil Bank community in a creative conversation around ideas of place making, the built environment and the use of public space.”