It is an exciting time for retailers in Lincoln, as they welcome customers back into stores after the relaxation of lockdown guidelines, but not everyone on the High Street has reopened.
The financial turmoil of the last year, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and a long stretch of not being able to trade due to lockdown, has caused many companies to fall into administration and/or close stores.
Even big chains aren’t safe from this, and The Lincolnite took a walk down Lincoln High Street to see which stores haven’t reopened from April 12, when government guidelines allowed for them to return.
Patisserie Valerie
| Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite
There were initially big plans for Patisserie Valerie’s unit once the business was forced to close amid a national fraud scandal, with live music and coffee venue Stray’s scheduled to take over the shop in the spring of 2020. However, no progress has been made with that deal, presumably as a result of the pandemic, and the unit is still vacant.
Superfi
The shutters went down in February 2019. | Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
The tale of this electronics store on the High Street is a peculiar one. It closed all of its national stores in February 2019, then returned in Lincoln in May, then closed again for lockdown, and hasn’t reopened since.
Moshulu
| Photo: Guy Owen for The Lincolnite
The bright and colourful shoe retailer will be waiting before it welcomes customers back, choosing to open on Saturday, April 24.
Eqvvs/ Eqvvs Women
The Eqvvs store on Lincoln High Street.
A slightly delayed return for the fashion retailer, which has waited until Thursday, April 15 to open its Lincoln stores. This includes the Eqvvs store itself, as well as the Eqvvs Women store close by.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays on Lincoln High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
After what feels like a never-ending wait, TGI Fridays is very nearly ready to open its doors in Lincoln. The American-style restaurant chain took over the unit from Carluccio’s, after the Italian brand went into administration in March 2020. Fridays’ move was announced in July, planned to open before Christmas, delayed until January, then delayed again before a promise of a spring opening.
Two Seasons
The store abruptly closed. | Photo: The Lincolnite
A shock departure from our High Street, Two Seasons quietly closed its doors overnight in August and hasn’t been open again since.
Intersport
Intersport did not reopen on April 12. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The sport retailer did reopen after the first lockdown, but its future is in doubt after not returning on April 12 this time round. The Facebook page has disappeared, and the website link to the Lincoln page doesn’t work. Could this be it for Intersport on the High Street?
Thorntons
Thorntons will leave Lincoln High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Financial pressure brought on by COVID-19, as well as the “changing dynamics of the High Street”, meant the chocolate retailer closed all of its UK stores in March 2021.
Topshop and Topman
The new joint Topshop Topman opened in Lincoln Waterside Shopping Centre on July 19, 2018. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
After Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia Group fell into administration back in November, online fashion website Asos bought out the Topshop and Topman brands, but the physical stores were kept closed. This was also the case for the Lincoln branches inside Waterside Shopping Centre.
Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse on Lincoln’s High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The mobile retailer was among the first to close its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic, shutting all 531 standalone stores in March 2020.
Monsoon
Monsoon is set to leave Lincoln High Street. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
After Monsoon Accessorize entered administration and announced 35 store closures in June 2020, it was expected that the Lincoln Monsoon branch would not reopen. However, Accessorize was open on the High Street this week, leaving Monsoon’s future in jeopardy.
Jack Wills
The sign has been painted over now. | Photo: The Lincolnite
This won’t come as a surprise to many, given the store’s abrupt end to life on Lincoln High Street back in July, with the sign painted over and a rumoured 50 stores closing across the UK.
Little Gift Shop
That Little Gift Shop on Lincoln High Street. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Little Gift Shop near the railway crossing on the High Street closed for good in September 2020 after six years in business. The unit has yet to be taken over by a new premises.
Linkage
The High Street charity shop has been closed down. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Lockdown has been difficult for so many charities across the country, and Linkage is no different to that. They lost the Lincoln High Street store last year and it is now up for let with JHWalter. There are now just two Linkage stores in the area, one on the Bailgate and another in Birchwood.
Boots Opticians
The Boots Opticians store moved up the road in 2019. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Boots Opticians had a change of scenery in 2019 when it moved into the main Boots store, also on the High Street. Planning has now been submitted for another opticians, Acuitis Optical and Hearing, to move in there, and is pending council approval.
Fone Doctor
Gametronics closed in 2019. | Photo: The Lincolnite
This unit has been an eventful one over the last few years, with Gametronics being there from 2014 to 2019, before a merger with Game saw that store close. It was replaced by Fone Doctor, which did not last long and ended up closing in January 2020.
Ruddocks of Lincoln
Work has already started inside the former Ruddocks of Lincoln. | Photo: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
The wait for a new tenant at the former Ruddocks of Lincoln site has been a long one. Ruddocks closed on the High Street in 2017, after more than 160 years in business. After a couple of years planning, work has now begun on replacing it with an arcade bar called Carousel, which will also have a Quickdraw virtual shooting range.
Madame Waffle
Madame Waffle will be planning a return for May. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The popular coffee bar will be reopening on May 19, should the government roadmap still allow it, due to a lack of outdoor space. Staff have refurbished the inside and have said they “cannot wait” to come back.
Stokes High Bridge Cafe
Delivery only for Stokes High Bridge Cafe, for now at least. | Photo: The Lincolnite
An institution in the city of Lincoln, the near 100-year-old coffee shop has been offering a delivery service throughout lockdown, and that has continued through April. Due to coronavirus measures not yet permitting people to dine-in for food or drink, High Bridge Cafe cannot reopen in that capacity until May. The Lawn on Union Road is open, however.
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.