Lincoln City’s board of directors remain committed to investing £1.8 million into a redevelopment of the Stacey West Stand – which would include a new community hub and a safe-standing trial.
Plans for a redevelopment of the Stacey West Stand at Lincoln City Football Club’s LNER Stadium have been in place for over a year – but it hasn’t been plain sailing.
Initial proposals were for a second tier of seating to be added to the stand, boosting capacity by around 1,500, as well as creating a new hub for the community work of the club inside the stand.
The project has been fronted by the club board in partnership with the Red Imps Community Trust, and £1.8 million has been secured from various grant funds and investments for it to go ahead.
However, in April this year the Lincoln City board of directors recognised a “volatile and uncertain” economic landscape and proposed to alter their plans.
| Photo: Lincoln City FC
Despite these financial obstacles, the board has maintained a “non-negotiable” position in terms of investment into the stadium, so long as it doesn’t place the “financial future of the club at risk.”
A further project review concluded that the original plans would “present an unacceptable risk” to the financial stability of Lincoln City.
This means that the 1,500 seat increase of a second tier will be shelved, instead submitting an application to trial ‘safe-standing’ within a small section of the Stacey West Stand.
A new Community Skills and Education Hub will go ahead, however, with the club saying it will “help tackle the growing skills gap in the city”.
The hub will do this by offering community space, offices and dedicated classrooms, allowing an increase in social impact value and bidding to improve the quality of life of the local residents.
| Photo: Lincoln City FC
It will now be a two-tier development, relegating a third-tier proposal for a new hospitality suite – putting the original project objectives of capacity increase, community facilities and improved fan experience at the forefront.
Other areas of the stadium will benefit from this project also, as barriers are to be installed in Upper 7 of the GBM Stand – facilitating the safe-standing of supporters.
If this pilot is successful, Lincoln City would be a leading player in safe-standing options for football fans in England, as well as offering the potential to boost the LNER Stadium capacity to around 11,500.
There will also be key infrastructure improvements, such as investment in a new mains water supply, recycling irrigation system and power supply.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: