August 5, 2021 3.05 pm This story is over 30 months old

The Lincoln Speakers’ Corner revamp is ready

A warm welcome for the new public space

By Local Democracy Reporter

Phase two of the Lincoln Cornhill paving works at Speakers’ Corner are now complete and the area has been re-opened to the public.

The project began in September 2020 when the tourist information kiosk was demolished to make way for a “more appropriate space for events.”

New seating was placed around the existing London Plane tree, which was preserved during the construction works, and that area opened to the public in December.

The new seated area around the London Plane tree has been in place since December. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC

Phase two was funded with £1 million from the government’s Towns Deal Fund, and saw the existing paving significantly improved, as well as street furniture installed and associated drainage works.

The revamp of the area is now complete. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC

The project was done to match the aesthetic of the revamped Cornhill Quarter, and to create a public space for events, pop-ups, or just a nice place to sit for passers-by in the city centre.

Additional seating and street furniture have been added. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC

Works were officially completed and construction teams cleared the site for opening on Thursday, August 5, with benches either side of the paving and a wide open area for future events.

The space has been spruced up by the new paving works and kiosk demolition. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC

Mark Leason, Contracts Manager at Lindum said: “It’s great to see the work completed. It’s another piece in the jigsaw of improvements that Lindum has carried out around the Cornhill.

“It’s not been an easy job as the site is in the centre of the city. We’ve worked day shifts and night shifts to get it completed with the minimum amount of interruption.

“The shops nearby have been fantastic. They helped us come up with a phasing plan for the work and their staff have been really patient.”

A thank you was in order for the businesses that may have been affected by the works. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC

Cllr Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said: “I am very pleased to see the completion of improvement works at this important part of the city centre.

“The area is much improved and now complements and connects better with the high quality standard of the Sincil Street/Cornhill quarter.”

Exciting plans are in the pipeline for the future of the area. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC

The preservation of the existing London Plane tree adds to the aesthetic of the area. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for CoLC