West Lindsey District Council

Nice and Naughty Bistro and Stitch Witch in Market Rasen were recognised for their ‘Age Friendly’ customer service last month through the YMCA Lincolnshire Age Friendly Business Award.

The scheme recognises businesses who embrace a positive approach to ageing and who deliver good service, facilities and experience to their older clientele. The award focusses on 4 key criteria which are: Respect and Inclusion, Clear Marketing and Communications, Customer Comfort and Accessibility.

Scheme Coordinator at YMCA Lincolnshire, Grace Tompkins said: “The Award Scheme has been designed to help businesses connect with their elderly customers and recognise what other support they may need.

“YMCA Lincolnshire are also piloting some new face to face training sessions over the next few months which are designed to assist in understanding what is meant by ‘Age-friendly’, how ageing impacts on daily life and equip staff with the skills to communicate effectively and identify accessibility issues.”

Cllr Stephen Bunney, Mayor of Market Rasen and member for Market Rasen Ward at West Lindsey District Council, fully supports the scheme.

He said: “The Age Friendly Business Award is a fantastic scheme. It will allow our businesses in town to think about their operations and what they can do to support their customers. I would encourage anyone to get in touch with YMCA Lincolnshire to find out more.”

The accreditation is free to all businesses in Lincolnshire and is a great opportunity to find out how businesses can support their older customers and give them a positive experience.

Stitch Witch. Pictured from left to right – Bernadette Heald (customer knitting), Cllr Stephen Bunney (Mayor of Market Rasen and ward member for West Lindsey District Council), Gail Lee (business owner) and Grace Tompkins (Lincolnshire YMCA – Scheme Organiser).

Faye Pudney, Visitor Economy Officer at West Lindsey District Council is delighted that two West Lindsey businesses have been recognised.

She said: “Customers are always looking those little extras that make their experience more fulfilling, and by making some small changes, it could have an impact on how customers see your business, and hopefully increase customer retention. It could also provide reassurance to those who are new or visiting the area.”

To become an Age-friendly Business, businesses can register their interest by calling 01529 301966 or emailing [email protected].

Each business in the Award Network also receives a free and comprehensive Age-friendly Business Toolkit which can offer ideas and ways to help, support, and enable a positive experience for all residents and visitors.

Business who receive the Age-friendly Business Award status also receive:

• An award certificate and window sticker
• Promotion of certification on YMCA social medias
• Increased profile in the community
• Networking opportunities
• Regular newsletter quarterly

This project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

West Lindsey District Council is inviting bids from developers and investors to become a delivery partner for a £300 million redevelopment of RAF Scampton, north of Lincoln.

Outline plans for the site, dependant on the success of funding bids, include arts and entertainment buildings, a hotel, accommodation, shops, restaurants, a runway and a museum.

The council is looking to procure, pursuant to a competitive dialogue procurement process, a suitably qualified partner organisation to regenerate and redevelop the site currently known as RAF Scampton.

As previously reported, the council formally submitted an expression of interest in acquiring the site, which could contribute significantly to the ‘Levelling Up’ of economic and social outcomes across West Lindsey, Lincolnshire and beyond.

Should the council be successful in acquiring the site, the successful partner will be required to work with the council and take a lead in managing, master planning and regenerating the site.

Leader of West Lindsey District Council Councillor Owen Bierley said: “The council is currently progressing plans for RAF Scampton. Using our experience of disposals of the past, the process to transition Scampton from RAF use to economic driver for Lincolnshire will be one that is held as an exemplar of best practice in years to come.

“We have officially started our search for a delivery partner through a stage 2 procurement process. It is an exciting time for West Lindsey and I look forward to seeing our plans progress.”

The council’s expression of interest remains subject to a number of conditions. Work continues with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Council hopes to make a final decision in relation to the acquisition and appointment of partner by the end of the year.

The invitation to bid was published on Wednesday, 6 July 2022 on the Pro Contract website.

The details of the contract in full are outlined below:

Huge plans include arts and cultural buildings, accommodation, restaurants and a runway

As previously reported, the closure of RAF Scampton was announced by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in 2018 as part of cost cutting measures. Since this time officers have worked closely with the community, MOD, the RAF and potential investors to understand opportunities for the future of the site.

The successful delivery partner will need to consider the following regeneration and redevelopment objectives:

• Comprehensive redevelopment based upon a sympathetic masterplan to manage and regenerate the entirety of the site;
  a viable and deliverable redevelopment;
• placing community engagement at the heart of the redevelopment plan;
• protecting and enhancing the site’s heritage and historic importance using the past as a blue print for the future;
• maximising economic benefit to West Lindsey, Lincolnshire and the UK;
• understanding the potential for ongoing use of the protected airspace;
• meeting needs of current and future communities;
• delivering fit-for-the-future on-site infrastructure;
• securing investment in the site and working with key stakeholders to deliver added value;
• delivering integrated sustainable travel opportunities through, to and from the site;
• contributing positively to the Net Zero Carbon agenda;
• contributing positively to improvements in Biodiversity Net Gain across the site; and
• establishing a sustainable commercial structure that provides long-term benefit to West Lindsey and its residents.

Submissions need to be in by August 8, 2022.