South Kesteven District Council hopes to relocate to a new premises next door – on the top floor of Grantham’s Savoy cinema – in a move which will save taxpayers an estimated £300,000 a year in running costs.
The council is looking to leave St Peter’s Hill in Grantham for a smaller, more cost-efficient, open-plan office space. In addition to saving taxpayers’ money, the move is also expected to improve business efficiency and working conditions.
Additionally, potential partnerships with other public sector organisations are being explored to develop a customer service hub in the vacant ground floor units.
SKDC cabinet members have agreed that the proposal should be presented to the annual meeting of the Full Council in May.
SKDC has moved to a hybrid arrangement, with officers’ time split between home and office working. Councillor Kelham Cooke, Leader of SKDC, said working practices adopted in response to the pandemic had shown that the council operates in a more agile way and no longer requires such large premises.
South Kesteven District Council is looking to leave its headquarters at St Peter’s Hill in Grantham. | Photo: R.S. Mortiss
He said: “This is an exciting time for SKDC, as it brings potential for growth and opportunity and regeneration of an existing site in the town centre.
“SKDC strives to be a local employer of choice and the planned move is a perfect time to revisit and strengthen the council’s culture by building on the spirit of change and possibility that business relocation brings.
“The new office space will cater to every employee’s needs through the creation of an open layout that encourages collaboration, whilst also providing quiet work areas.
“The main office location at St Peter’s Hill no longer meets the business needs of the council. It is an ageing asset that now requires significant investment if it is to provide modern, good quality, adaptable and flexible workspaces.
“The proposed move would reduce our on-going running costs, making more efficient use of taxpayers’ money. Crucially, there will also be a reduction in our carbon footprint – a key priority for us.”
South Kesteven wants to move to a more cost-efficient, open plan office space, on the top floor of Grantham’s cinema building. | Photo: R.S. Mortiss
It had been expected the University of Lincoln would lease the cinema complex office space as an education centre but it has confirmed that, while it is committed to supporting the learning agenda in Grantham, it no longer requires the extensive, available office space.
A university spokesperson said: “The university provides a range of programmes to support businesses and local economies, including our innovative executive development programme, which we have delivered in Grantham. The university will continue to work with local authorities such as SKDC to find opportunities to sustain this important work in the future.”
As part of the cinema development project the council received a £2 million grant, approved by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with the aim of delivering an education centre.
Discussions are ongoing with the LEP Investment Board on the way forward regarding repayment of the grant and the re-purposing of the building.
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.
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