Emily Norton

Lincoln has the highest COVID infection rate in the whole of the UK, according to the latest government data – thanks largely to a spike in the centre of the city.

The government’s daily case tables, based on lab-reported or lateral flow positive tests, for the seven days up to July 29 showed Lincoln had recorded a rate of 653.6 per 100,000 of the population.

As of August 4, it’s the highest rate in the UK – above Belfast (650 per 100,000 of the population) and Middlesborough (573.1).

A total of 649 positive cases were recorded in the city.

Local data broken down by wards shows the case rate shot up to 1,250.2 per 100,000 people in the city centre (Wharf & University), with 137 positive cases recorded – a rise of 197.8%.

There was also a significant rise in the Pelham Bridge and South Common area.

Data recorded in the city over the seven days up to July 29 shows:

• Cathedral & West Common – 79 cases (75.6% rise), 645.1 per 100,000
• Monks Road, St Giles & Greetwell – 97 cases (177.1% rise), 798.2 per 100,000
• Pelham Bridge & South Common – 60 cases (233.3% rise), 792.3 per 100,000
• Boultham & New Boultham – 58 cases (114.8% rise), 625.5 per 100,000
• Hartsholme & Birchwood East – 33 cases (22.2% rise), 413.4 per 100,000

For more localised data, visit the government website here.

Despite the recent spike, the numbers for Lincoln are still lower than the case rate recorded at its peak in January.

Generally, cases are coming down across the county.

As reported previously, the rise in city centre cases has been attributed to the city’s nighttime economy.

Public Health Lincolnshire said that a particularly significant spike had been traced back to one of the city’s central nightclubs.

Natalie Liddle from Outbreak Management at the health body told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that Lincoln and Lincolnshire have traditionally been behind the national trend. The spike recorded, she added, is an expected lag, exacerbated by the lifting of lockdown.

“We have seen a rise in Lincolnshire following the normal pattern. Nationally those cases rose, as we saw in the region, and then began to come down and we have always tended to lag behind that trend. What we’re seeing is that natural spike that we would normally have, unfortunately for us that has coincided with the fact we have come out of lockdown.

“We’re managing a cluster of outbreaks in and around Lincoln. We have seen a particular increase in cases that are linked to nightclubs and the nighttime economy.”

The former managing director of JTF has ruled out suggestions the recently closed Lincoln store could be turned into a cinema and entertainment venue.

The Greetwell Road JTF closed permanently, along with all 12 stores in the country, when the business fell into administration this week.

It is understood around 500 jobs were lost nationally as a result of the closures.

Signage which remains at the entrance, however, sparked reports that a cinema complex could take its place.

The notice appeared to suggest a licensing proposal had been submitted for entertainment, including films and music, and the sale of alcohol at the premises.

No proposals appeared to have been submitted to the City of Lincoln Council for a change of use for the building.

Arthur Harris, Director of Campelino Coffee and ex MD of the struggling discount warehouse store told reporters his company had no plans for the building and it would revert to the landlord.

Mr Harris told The Lincolnite: “Campelino has no interest in any cinemas, never will have, and will not be having anything to do with the JTF brand.”

Readers of The Lincolnite were quick to leave their suggestions on the future of the building.

Rebecca Frankish said: “Why not a Doncaster thing, with ice rink and swimming pool with slides?”

An ice rink was a popular request on social media, as well as calls for a soft play centre.

Carrie Townsend added: “It would be nice to have some kind of entertainment up this end and some nice restaurants… no coffee shops.”