Lincoln should feel more festive this winter with the planned return of the Christmas Market after last year’s was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
City of Lincoln Council said last summer it was cancelling the event, which has been held in the city since 1982, to “ensure the safety of all those visiting and operating the market”.
When Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced his roadmap out of the the third lockdown, he predicted that life will be broadly back to normality by July 2021, giving hope to events such as Lincoln Christmas Market.
The city council intends for the event to go ahead between December 2 to 5, subject to government restrictions.
Preparations have now begun, including opening stall holder applications — apply and see more information here.
Stallholders are now being asked to apply by Wednesday, March 31 for their place at the market, which is expected to include 200 traders in Lincoln’s uphill area.
The council will also introduce a new and improved payment plan this year for those who are successful in their stall application. This will be split into four payments prior to December.
Stallholders will also be asked as per previous years to dress in Victorian-style attire, with the theme continued within their stall. Then, stalls and costumes will be judged, with the top three receiving cash prizes.
Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, said: “Each year, the Lincoln Christmas Market attracts a number of visitors, helps boost the city’s economy and was greatly missed by many last year.
“Following government predictions for the rest of the year, we are hopeful the 2021 market will go ahead as planned, and we will continue to work on preparations, keeping a close eye on restrictions in place.
“We know 2020 was a difficult year for many and bringing that Christmas magic back to the city for 2021 is something we can’t wait to do.
“If, in the event this year’s market cannot go ahead due to the ongoing pandemic, we have plans in place to ensure any money stallholders have paid towards their stall will be refunded in full.”
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There will be another Kill The Bill protest in Lincoln next week, rallying against a new government bill that diminishes protesting rights.
Protests have been rife across the country since the government’s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was first discussed, with scenes turning violent in Bristol.
Over two hundred people peacefully took part in the city’s first march at Speakers’ Corner on April 3, including Extinction Rebellion activists and Socialist and Labour supporters.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Now, after a post started doing the rounds on social media, another protest has apparently been scheduled for 2pm on Monday, April 17 at the same location on Lincoln High Street, as part of a national day of action.
A poster promoting a second event has been shared across social media platforms.
Protests are lawful once again after the government eased lockdown restrictions on March 29, but organisers are required to submit a risk assessment prior to any event.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Organisers of the last protest were in close communication with police to make the event safe, and The Lincolnite has asked Lincolnshire Police if they have been made aware of another protest, but are yet to receive a reply.
What’s in the new policing bill?
Police get more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those which are deemed too noisy or a nuisance
Anyone refusing to follow police directions about a protest could be fined up to £2,500
It also gives police more power to deal with “static protests” such as “sit-ins”, referencing the Extinction Rebellion protests which, the bill states, cost £16 million to police
Protesting around the UK Parliament will also be outlawed by ensuring vehicle access is maintained.
The rules set out in the bill can be applied to a demonstration of just one person.
The Home Office insists it will respect the human right to protest as set out in the Human Rights Act.
Local independents have suffered greatly as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, but the time has finally come for the doors to be reopened, and shop owners are delighted to be back.
After chaos with queues in the city centre, The Lincolnite went uphill in Lincoln to talk to some local independents on Steep Hill and the Bailgate to see how the reopening has gone.
Laura Scaife had only opened Fairy Godmother’s Beauty Room for a month before we went into national lockdown. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Perhaps the most relieved person in Lincoln was Laura Scaife, owner of Fairy Godmother’s Beauty Room on Steep Hill, which only opened last February, right before the pandemic hit Britain.
Laura wasn’t entitled to any furlough pay due to only starting the business very recently, so was eager to get started at work again.
She said: “It’s been a testing year for us, it was rather lonely in lockdown and obviously there’s only so much you can do on social media in an industry like mine.
“My clients have been absolutely amazing and they’ve all been coming back after each lockdown. Hopefully the future is promising for us after a difficult start.”
Sasha Drennan has owned Lindum Books since it opened seven years ago. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
At Lindum Books on the Bailgate, owner of seven years Sasha Drennan said that despite her happiness at reopening, she has faced difficulties when it comes to enforcing COVID-19 restrictions.
“We only opened on Tuesday and already I’ve had to remind people about wearing masks properly, social distancing and using hand sanitiser.
“Some were looking at the sanitiser like they’d never seen it before! I just hope people realise we are still in the midst of a pandemic, otherwise we could be in danger of going back to how we were.
“Despite this, I am obviously very happy to be back inside the shop and it’s great seeing people walking on the Bailgate again.”
Caroline Bundy has worked at Linkage for around six months. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
One shop that needed the reopening more than most was Linkage on the Bailgate, a Lincolnshire based charity offering support for people with learning difficulties.
Caroline Bundy, who works at the Linkage store, said that the charity had been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, due to stores being a great way to raise money.
After what was described as a “steady first day”, Caroline told The Lincolnite: “We’re excited to be back, hopefully the good weather will encourage people to get out shopping on the Bailgate and support local independents.”
Craig Burrows is the manager of Steep Hill Wines, offering a range of alcoholic drinks. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Steep Hill Wines have had to adapt, like so many others, due to lockdown closing the store, and their move online has proven to be a big hit.
Manager Craig Burrows has said that face-to-face contact is so important to the success of the store, and human interaction is the thing he has missed most.
“We are here to help people on the start of their wine journey, who might need a bit of direction as to what to try and what they may like.
“There’s no substitute for talking with people face-to-face, and that’s what we can now look to offer to all our customers.”
Craig also spoke about the community spirit of local independents, as everyone would lend a hand to one another during the difficult stages of lockdown.
He said: “Businesses would offer their services to one another during lockdown to help us all get through it, the importance of local independents cannot be understated.
“We must protect these local shops and not let them be replaced by big chains, it is part of what makes uphill Lincoln, particularly the Bailgate and Steep Hill, so unique and special.”
Elsewhere on Steep Hill, Imperial Teas of Lincoln celebrated reopening with a special anniversary, marking 30 years as a local business in the city.
Lincoln BIG will launch two COVID-secure trails next week designed to provide fun for couples and the whole family as they return to the city’s High Street.
Dr Cupid’s Couples Trail and The Secret Carnival Family Trail will be available to play from Monday, April 19.
The trails can both be accessed on a smartphone and include scanning QR codes at various locations and taking fun selfies. They have been created to help support the reopening of Lincoln High Street.
Dr Cupid’s Couples Trail
Couples in Lincoln are invited to take part in this romantic, funny and free event that stops at 10 different locations in the city.
How to play: Start the trail here and visit each of the questions and see the funny cartoons.
Scan the QR codes with a smartphone and see the questions and take a ‘scene selfie’.
After visiting all the locations, tally up the results and decide your partner’s fate.
By completing the trail, players will be entered into a national draw for the chance to win £5,000 to spend on your loved one, or yourself.
Secret Carnival
Lincoln BIG teamed up with QR code trail experts High Street Safari to create a free, interactive story-trail, which is designed to encourage children to walk, get engaged and have fun.
Play Secret Carnival, which takes around 45 minutes to complete and is positioned around Lincoln city centre.
There are 10 wily carnival characters, including Harlequin the cheeky jester.
Families will need to utilise the contactless QR codes and there will be no need to go inside venues, although some of the participating businesses are offering extra incentives to come in while you visit.
Each character’s unique QR code will teach players about their names and what their role is in the carnival.
Younger children will enjoy spotting the colourful characters in shop windows.
Families will win a personalised, digital ‘selfie storybook’ at the end, which will include their selfies and document the day they went on a tour of the Secret Carnival.
Lee Roberts, Operations Manager for Lincoln BIG, said: “We ran two trails like these in 2020 and have just been blown away at the response considering the difficult climate on the high street.
“If something fun like this can help make families feel confident about going back out onto the high street in a safe way and supporting local businesses, then we’ve done our jobs.”
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