Matt Discombe

Lincoln’s Outer Circle Road

A power blackout on Lincoln’s Outer Circle Road left homes and businesses without electricity for around 40 minutes on Tuesday.

Around 900 properties were affected following a fault with an underground cable in the area.

Engineers from Western Power Distribution were called just after 2pm on September 25.

Power was restored to the entire area later that afternoon by 2.40pm.

Traffic lights in the area were also affected by the power cut, but normal operations have now been restored.

Businesses in the area were forced to find other means of powering their premises. Listers Toyota Lincoln were able to use their emergency lighting system, but the blackout caused their telephone system to malfunction.

“We had to set a phone divert to our Lexus branch, and the blackout has prevented us turning over cars to customers,” said Toyota Lincoln’s General Manager, James Boughton-Thomas.

“Power cuts happen more in other parts of Lincoln than here, so we’re getting through it alright.

“Somebody loses power in our organisation two or three times a month across the midlands.”

Over 20 local businesses saw a national networking group celebrate its first year in Lincoln last week.

Businesses attended 4Networking’s fortnightly meeting at Doddington Hall on September 19 for one-on-one appointments with potential clients, associates and colleagues.

The networking group encourages greater communication between local businesses in Lincoln to improve the volume of work in the region.

Suzy Walgate, Group Leader of Lincoln 4Networking, said; “We are really proud to be celebrating our first anniversary for the Lincoln group.

“There has always been a buzz in Lincoln as far as business is concerned, and this has been proved by the success of the networking group.”

“We have high aspirations for Lincoln 4Networking, especially now we have the new wonderful venue of Doddington Hall, and we’re looking to attract more businesses from within the region, connecting people and doing business in a social yet business environment.”

4Networking members can attend over 300 networking groups across the UK.

4Networking has gained over 55,000 members nationwide, predominantly small business owners, sole traders and tradesmen, since forming in 2006.

“We don’t like to force relationships, but to see them evolve naturally with like-minded people. Our philosophy is ‘Meet, Like, Know, Trust’, as members in the groups get to know each other, business starts to flow. We then encourage more businesses to visit the group to see for themselves and the process continues.”

The next meeting of Lincoln 4Networking is on Wednesday October 3 at 8.00am. Businesses can attend meetings up to three times without becoming a member.

Source: 4Networking