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March 29, 2023 11.28 pm This story is over 13 months old

Skegness businesses hope Scampton migrant camp plans will ease pressure on resort

Hotels across the town have faced a wave of cancellations
Alan Jeffery, owner of Clarence House | Photo: James Turner
By Local Democracy Reporter

People in Skegness are hoping the Home Office’s plans for RAF Scampton will ease the amount of asylum seekers being housed along the seafront.

For over a year, migrants have been housed across the town, sparking outcry from local residents and even attracting high-profile protests.

As a result, hotels say they have faced a wave of cancellations due to concerned customers.

With plans to house 2000 asylum seekers in portacabins at RAF Scampton now confirmed, people are hoping the resort will no longer be used as a “dumping ground”.

East Lindsey District Council Leader Craig Leyland had hoped the Scampton plans would mean an end of hotel use. However, while making the announcement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the base would be used in addition to hotels along the coast.

Alan Jeffery, owner of Clarence House, said his business has suffered six cancellations in the last month due to the subject receiving extensive media coverage.

He said: “We’ve had people inquiring asking ‘how near are you to the asylum seekers?’ because it has all been hyped up in the media.

“Although they haven’t caused me personally any bother whatsoever, the problem is that the general public are being put off by it.”

Mr Jeffery continued: “I would very much like the asylum seekers to be taken out of tourist destinations to somewhere like Scampton.

“I understand that the residents of Scampton might be against this, but it’s not a tourist destination and so it will not affect their livelihood.”

Julianne Bunce, co-owner of North Parade Hotel | Photo: James Turner

The North Parade Hotel also revealed that they’ve had to endure a number of cancellations and are “way down in takings”.

“I don’t think Skegness is the right place for them and I think RAF Scampton would be absolutely fantastic,” said co-owner Julianne Bunce.

Kat Clark, owner of Craigside, insisted that it is just the larger hotels feeling the pinch as it hasn’t affected trade for her business at all so far.

She added: “I was full last weekend and I’m full for the next few weekends over the Easter Break. It hasn’t detrimentally or positively affected me really.”

Craigside Hotel | Photo: James Turner

In the town centre, Amanda Gathercole, who regularly visits Skegness, welcomed the news as she admitted the thought of migrants in the town made her feel relatively unsafe.

“We’d still come even if there was more asylum seekers, but I’d be more aware of where my handbag is and a bit concerned about bringing children here.”

Local resident Sandra Smith celebrated the announcement as she felt it would bring the local tourist industry back to normal.

“I don’t think anyone would come if there were more asylum seekers being housed here,” she said.

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March 15, 2024 2.46 pm

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:

  • SME of the Year
  • Family Business of the Year
  • International Business Achiever of the Year
  • Business Innovation/Innovator of the Year
  • Emerging Business of the Year
  • Charitable Business of the Year
  • Environmental/Sustainable Business of the Year
  • Rising Star of the Year
  • Business Leader of the Year
  • Business of the Year
  • Tech Business of the Year

Nominate now! Entries open on the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards website.

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.

For more details on the categories, sponsors, and judges, visit the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards website.

Reasons to enter:

  • 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.

February 28, 2024 5.00 pm

Vet nurse Elisha Clarke from VetStation holding Cookie the kitten and stood with Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther. | Photo: Channel 5

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.

Read the full story on MyLocal, the new home of The Lincolnite

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