COVID-19 testing in Lincolnshire is being scaled back as part of government plans to expand home testing as children return to school.

The testing sites at the Lincolnshire Showground, and in Boston and Skegness, have started opening for half a day in order for parents and others to collect home-testing kits during a second session in the afternoon following a deep clean.

Health bosses are now also looking at how these changes will impact on rapid testing sites.

Under government plans for the return to school, young people have to take tests twice a week, with parents and carers also being asked to do the same.

Professor Derek Ward said: “We don’t want them go into the same place that people who have got symptoms are getting their normal PCR tests at the same time.

“So the government changed our fixed sites that we’ve got – the two regional sites one in Lincoln, one in Boston, and another one in Skegness.

“If you think you’ve got a symptom, you book yourself in a test you’ll be going in the morning, then at lunchtime they close and do a deep clean

“In the afternoon they open up again, but only to allow people who haven’t got any symptoms to go and pick up their lateral flow testing kits.”

Home testing kits will include two packs per person and will aim to last for seven weeks.

Professor Ward said bosses were in talks about where more sites could go in the next couple of weeks to increase coverage across the county.

“Our plan is to make sure that people will be in around within around five miles of somewhere that they can go and pick up a kit,” he said.

Parents can find out more information about the government’s testing plans here.

A cricket clothing and equipment company born in Australia has expanded into the UK and established its headquarters in North Hykeham.

TNF Cricket was founded in Australia 10 years ago and has been providing cricket apparel to the UK market for four years.

It has now launched Tails Never Fails UK, with the new facility at the Leafbridge business park on Station Road in North Hykeham acting as its office and shop/warehouse.

The cricket clothing and equipment company born expanded into Lincoln in 2021.

It is solely online at the moment, but the shop is expected to open later this year.

Although it specialises in the manufacture of cricket products, TNF also produce merchandise and apparel for football, rugby, hockey and several other sports.

It also caters for the corporate apparel market and is working with local cricket clubs including Lindum, Gully Crickters, Market Rasen and Horncastle.

Tails Never Fails UK is working with local cricket clubs including Lindum. TNF’s Will Taylor (left) in action for Lindum, alongside Jack McLagan. | Photo: Andrew Scott

Michael Sheedy, Managing Director of Tails Never Fails, said: “For us to now have an HQ in the UK is a massive step for our brand and our growing base of TNF followers.

“We are now ‘local’ – we have a home! We have UK based staff that are hungry for opportunities across a variety of sports and are passionate about exceeding customer service levels that sporting clubs are not used to in the UK market.”

The launch of TNF UK also comes with the appointments of Will Taylor as the new General Manager and Gareth Davies as Head of Sales and Business Development.

Will has been involved with the company since 2018, but has now joined on a full-time basis.

Will Taylor, General Manager at TNF UK, outside the company’s new headquarters in North Hykeham, Lincoln.

Will said: “When the opportunity came along for me to work for TNF, it was something I simply could not turn down. It’s not every day you get the chance to mix one of your biggest passions in life with your day-to-day work and I am extremely grateful to Michael for the opportunity to do so.

“He, with the aid of a highly skilled team, has built a fantastic brand and service over recent years which the UK market has been lacking for some time, so it’s really exciting to have the chance to contribute on a full-time basis.”

Gareth Davies, Head of Sales and Business Development and TNF UK.

Gareth added: “I am very excited to be a part of TNF. I have known Michael for eight years now and experienced the business first-hand out in Australia. To be a part of such an exciting time for TNF here in the UK is amazing.

“I believe there is a big gap in the market for sublimated apparel in the UK and the processes and commitments TNF are delivering will certainly change the face of the market.”

Residents in Grimsby will now be able to order from Deliveroo, after the food delivery service launched earlier than expected.

The company said it would launch in March, but it was expected to be later in the month.

However, the date was brought forward “by weeks” according to Deliveroo, due to wanting to “help” restaurants and customers through lockdown.

A total of 71 restaurants will be at the disposal of Deliveroo customers, including chains such as KFC, Subway and Burger King, as well as local favourites.

More local businesses are being added to the list, and any restaurants, takeaways or grocery retailers can apply to become a Deliveroo partner here.

The service hopes to deliver food and groceries to people’s doors in as little as 20 minutes, and are looking for up to 50 people in the area to become delivery riders.

In celebration of the launch in Grimsby, Deliveroo are offering all customers 20% off orders until April 4, using the code: GRIMSBY10.

This is an offer for new customers only, with a minimum spend of over £15 for one redemption per person.

It has become the third area in Lincolnshire to have access to Deliveroo, following the launches in Lincoln and Scunthorpe.

Harrison Foster, regional director for Deliveroo UK, said: “Launching in Grimsby is a key milestone for Deliveroo. Grimsby has a thriving foodie community and a wide range of restaurants and retailers, so we’re excited to connect them.

“We look forward to working with our new partners to reach a new customer base and expand their businesses.”