May 20, 2010 4.36 pm This story is over 166 months old

Sandy beach planned for city gateway facelift

Life’s a beach… and even sunnier when the beach is coming to you, in the city centre.

Lincolnites can relax on a sandy beach in the City Square this summer, as part of a facelift planned for ‘gateway’ areas of the city. This is due to a regeneration project worth over £100,000 from Lincoln BIG and the City of Lincoln Council, tackling the knock-on effects of empty shop premises in the Sincil Street and Cornhill areas.

The artificial beach will open on August 16th and run until September 6th, alongside other activities in the City Square targeted at school children and their parents during the summer holidays.

“The Sincil Street and Cornhill areas are important and act as a gateway to the railway station. They are where you will find a mix of more than 100 national and independent retailers, about half of which have rateable values of less than £18,000,” said Matt Corrigan, Lincoln BIG Chief Executive.

“Shop vacancy levels are particularly high here, as much of the area is awaiting redevelopment as part of the Lindongate mixed-use scheme,” Corrigan added.

Other improvements proposed for the area include a deep cleanse of toilets serving the bus station, market and High Bridge, reducing the number of pigeons in the area, and better signage to direct people towards the Market and Sincil Street.

“We want the city centre to look welcoming for shoppers, and for traders to be reassured that their area of the city looks ready for business. […] I am particularly pleased that we will be able to use this money to deep clean and improve signage at the toilet facilities,” said Councillor Marc Jones, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at the City of Lincoln Council.

The project is also looking into making a pavement gingerbread trail, alongside new street furniture, and a new cycle parking area at the north end of Sincil Street.

Sources: City of Lincoln Council, Lincoln BIG | Photo: Mick Fox