Supermarkets enforce shoppers wearing masks, will ban those who don’t

Get ready for your sausage roll fix at the biggest Greggs store in Lincoln yet, when the British bakery chain opens its fifth shop in the city on Thursday.

The new branch will open on January 21 in the unit formerly occupied by Edinburgh Woollen Mill at St Peter at Arches on Lincoln High Street once the final finishing touches are complete.

The new 240sqm store, which will use one floor of the two-storey building, was originally due to open last summer, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the plans.

Now it will be open for takeaway and via Greggs’ click and collect service, with favourites including sausage rolls, pasties, sandwiches and other savouries and sweet treats, as well as vegan-friendly products.

It will open Monday to Saturday between 7am to 6pm and from 8am-5pm on Sunday.

Once coronavirus restrictions are eased, there will be space for 26 people to eat inside.

The shop has created a total of 10 new jobs for the local community and any remaining jobs will be advertised online.

Jade Turner, shop manager at Lincoln Greggs said: “We cannot wait to open our doors and welcome customers from the local community.

“We are pleased to offer customers a range of tasty items to takeaway or via click and collect.”

Roisin Currie, retail and people director for Greggs, said: “We’re delighted to be able to invest in Lincoln bringing new jobs to the area and providing both new and existing customers with a modern and convenient new shop.”

The news comes after Greggs previously announced that it would be opening 100 new shops across the UK in 2021.

A hotel owner who tried convincing police officers that people drinking in his bar during lockdown were in his social bubble has had his alcohol licence revoked.

The Grosvenor House Hotel on North Parade in Skegness was found to be open and trading during the November coronavirus lockdown, against government guidelines.

Lincolnshire Police attended the hotel on November 19 and seized CCTV footage, which showed up to 15 customers inside drinking alcohol on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14.

Photographs of people drinking inside the hotel were shared on Facebook and sent to police. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

This broke the rules of the government’s closure order ahead of the country’s second lockdown on November 4.

Initially, Russell Sparkes, owner of the Grosvenor, tried telling officers that the people seen drinking were in his social bubble.

His excuse soon changed and he owned up to the breach when CCTV was checked.

The Grosvenor Hotel, in Skegness.

A licence review hearing was called, and East Lindsey District Council’s licensing sub-committee subsequently revoked The Grosvenor’s alcohol licence.

The decision was made during a digital hearing on Tuesday, January 19, where the evidence found a clear breach in regulations.

A 21-day appeal process is now in place, and if no appeal is submitted the suspension comes into action.

No social distancing or regard for the risk of COVID-19. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Sergeant Kim Enderby, alcohol licensing manager for Lincolnshire Police, said: “I thought after 29 years in the police there wasn’t a lot left to shock me but the way in which this venue was operating was awful.

“Nearly two weeks after the November lockdown had started we found footage of over fifteen people in the bar area.

“They were being served pint after pint by the owner of the premises, Mr Sparks.

“Of equal concern was the total lack of social distancing measures in place. At one point over ten men were crammed round a small table drinking and posing for what we think were the Facebook posts.

“There were no face masks being worn by customers or staff, nothing had been put in place to try and prevent the spread of the virus.

Sergeant Enderby continued: “Mr Sparkes claimed it was an error of judgement on his part to open the bar but that is a poor excuse.

“The blatant disregard for both the closure order and social distancing measures demonstrates a lack of management and control over these premises.

“We are not yet out of this pandemic, whilst the vaccine rollout is well under way, we still need everyone to be sensible and follow the regulations.

“Anyone responsible for running licensed premises is expected to do so responsibly and within the law.”

There are currently four flood warnings, 13 flood alerts, and an amber warning for rain remains in place across Lincolnshire.

The Met Office warning for rain will stay in place until 12pm on Thursday, January 21. There’s also a yellow warning for rain.

The Met Office said heavy rainfall combined with some snowmelt across the hills is likely to lead to flooding.

An amber weather warning for rain is in place, including in Lincolnshire. | Photo: Met Office

The government’s Flood Information Service has issued four warnings affecting Lincolnshire.

Flooding is expected and immediate action required in the following areas:

• River Glen at Greatford and Kates Bridge
• River Witham and associated Fens from Chapel Hill to Boston
• River Witham and associated Fens from Washingborough to Metheringham
• River Witham and associated Fens from Woodhall Spa to Chapel Hill

In addition, 13 flood alerts are currently in place affecting some areas of Lincolnshire.

This means at the time of publication flooding is still possible and it is advised to be prepared in the following areas:

• East and West Glens
• Lower Glen and Bourne Eau System
• Lower River Witham
• Minor Watercourses from Heighington to Dunston
• River Devon and Smite in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire
• River Idle in Nottinghamshire
• River Trent from Cromwell Weir to Gainsborough
• River Trent in Nottinghamshire
• River Wreake in Leicestershire
• South Forty Foot Drain
• Tributaries of the lower River Witham from Blankney to Sleaford
• Witham in North Kesteven
• Witham in South Kesteven

Weather forecast for Lincoln on Wednesday, January 20. | Photo: Met Office

See here for further information about the latest flood warnings and alerts.