Alex Colman

Shopkeepers in Lincoln will remain committed to late night shopping on Thursdays throughout the year, according to Lincoln BIG.

Despite some 40 High Street shops, such as Paperchase and Lush, dropped out since the scheme began in July 2011, Lincoln BiG say over 60 stores remain in support.

Debenhams’ Store Manager, Chris Claxton, agrees late night shopping should continue, but thinks the city needs to look at how customers are drawn into Lincoln at night.

“We have always been staunch supporters but would like to see more shops getting on board this initiative as well, to help to increase footfall,” said Claxton.

Lincoln BIG are determined to keep the city a destination that stays ‘alive after five’ despite the economic downturn.

Lincoln BIG Chief Executive, Matt Corrigan, explained how shopping habits are definitely changing.

“People are increasingly looking to visit their favourite stores, after hours, and then making a night of it by combining this with a meal out and a trip to the theatre or cinema,” he said.

As well as promoting their 2012 events programme, which includes plans to install a big screen on Cornhill for the Olympic Games, Lincoln BIG are keen to work with more retailers and businesses who may be interested in joining in late night shopping.

Retailers interested in taking part can get in touch using Lincoln BIG’s contact page.

Source: Lincoln BIG

L-R: Team JLS’ Julia Romney, Liz Lawton and Samantha Stuart, Wyn Austin and Stuart Parker.

Staff at Lincolnshire Co-operative are celebrating raising £125,763 for military aid charity, Help for Heroes.

A combination of physical trials, events and wristband sales helped the team generate the funds, which will to support projects across the county.

The money collected could go towards adapting housing for around 100 wounded service people, pay for individual recovery plans, or even provide funding for personnel recovery centres.

Every year Co-op employees collect money for a charity, which is voted for by the company’s 210,000 members.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Chief Executive, Ursula Lidbetter is delighted with the total and knows local people identify with Help for Heroes.

“It’s fantastic and a tribute to the efforts all our staff have made in finding weird and wonderful ways to raise money throughout the past year,” she said.

As well as innovative ideas from staff, £20,000 was contributed by customers through collection boxes, and £16,000 came in via wristband sales.

One serviceman who receives help from the charity, Wyn Austin (23) of the Royal Dragoon Guards, was present to celebrate the achievement.

Austin’s routine patrol was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last year, killing the driver of his vehicle and leaving Austin with a broken back in two places, a smashed heel and later an amputated leg from above the knee.

The serviceman is now looking forward to retraining for a career back in civilian life with the aid of Help for Heroes.

Austin said: “I’m hoping the course will find me a good job, as long as it isn’t a desk job and keeps me outdoors or physically active.”

Some of Lincolnshire Co-op’s own heroes were present after completing dedicated fundraising tasks.

Stuart Parker raised over £7,000 by completing two consecutive Ironman challenges and Team JLS (Julia Romney, Liz Lawton and Samantha Stuart) conquered their own triathlon, generating £1,200.

53-year-old Parker was inspired by Team True Spirit, a group of injured servicemen who completed the second Ironman alongside him.

“I felt better after the second than the first, seeing the team of amputees around the course makes you feel you can do anything if they can,” said Parker.

Team JLS all have links to the armed forces, with one from an RAF background and two married to RAF servicemen.

Romney said: “We designed a triathlon for 40 plus women and had blisters, aches and pains but with a hot bath we were okay, with a few tears after doing something for a charity that is so close to us.”

Lincolnshire Co-op announced that this year’s cause will be global children’s charity Plan.