Downsized plans submitted for Lincoln Imp’s Stacey West Stand project
Lincoln City FC Directors have downsized plans for the redevelopment of the iconic Stacey West Stand at the LNER Stadium.
Original plans for the stand included an extra tier with a hospitality suite, boosting capacity by around 1,500, but due to the current economic climate, the project will now proceed as a two-tier development.
In a press statement, the club said: “Against the acute backdrop of an economic climate that has further weakened, and which remains both challenging and volatile, this project has presented many challenges which were unforeseen at its outset three years ago. Despite this, the board’s non-negotiable position on investment remains unchanged – firmly and responsibly committed to growth and progress, but without placing the financial future of the club at risk.
“Following a further project review, the board concluded that the original proposal would present an unacceptable risk to this commitment. Nevertheless, it remains absolutely dedicated to investing in infrastructure, and to delivering on the original project objectives – increasing capacity, improving fan experience and creating new community facilities.
“Therefore, to maximise the £1.8m already secured from various grant funds and investment from supporters and investors alike, the project will now proceed with a two-tier development, omitting a proposed third-tier hospitality suite, demonstrating that the club remains fully committed to increasing its social impact in the community through the vital work delivered by Lincoln City Foundation.
“Building a new Community Skills and Education Hub will help tackle the growing skills gap in the city by providing the Foundation with a fit-for-purpose facility from which it can champion the delivery of education and employability skills, all under the brand of the football club. The contemporary new-build will offer community space, offices and dedicated classrooms, enabling the club to increase its social impact value and improve the quality of life of local residents through its wide range of educational, health and well-being initiatives.
“Following a successful pilot scheme in early 2022 and a recent landmark change in legislation, the club will seize upon this new opportunity by investing in rail seating. Working closely with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, the club have submitted an application to trial ‘safe-standing’ in a small section of the Stacey West Stand – with the intention of installing rail seats throughout the entire stand should the trial be successful.
“In addition, the club will install barriers in Upper 7 of the GBM Stand to facilitate the safe-standing of supporters in that area. If successful, along with improving stadium aesthetics and fan experience, this significant investment in infrastructure would place Lincoln City as a leading player in safe-standing at football stadia in England, and also offer the potential to increase the LNER Stadium capacity to 11,500.
The project will also benefit from some key infrastructure improvements including:
• Investment in a new mains water supply to the LNER Stadium, addressing the much- needed demand for improved services for supporters
• Investment in power supply to the LNER Stadium, part of a longer-term strategic plan to become more energy-efficient, which will also enable other further plans such as enhancements to the University of Lincoln Fan Village
• Investment in a new, state-of-the-art recycling irrigation system which aims to re-use up to 50% of the water used to irrigate the fibre sand pitch, providing much-needed economic and environmental benefits and a major step forward as part of the club’s climate action plan
T”he matchday experience will be further enhanced by using the new Hub in other ways such as a social space, a shelter for vulnerable fans, family activities or a multi-faith prayer room.
“In line with the board’s vision to have a home that is contemporary, accessible, has soul and reflects the strength of the club’s ambition, this project is just one of many potential investments into infrastructure from a maintained list of future opportunities to upgrade the stadium as part of a longer-term plan.”
48-year-old found guilty of murdering grandfather in village outside Lincoln
A 48-year-old man who stabbed 58-year-old Saulius Badgziunas in the back and attempted to hide his body has been found guilty of murder.
The jury at Lincoln Crown Court heard how Rolandas Karbauskas, 48, of School Lane in Broadholme, had stabbed Saulius following a disagreement.
The court heard how a family friend had found Saulius lying on his back on the ground behind the garage at around 12.50pm on Monday, 14 March. Believing he was unwell, the friend called 999 and performed CPR. Despite efforts of emergency workers at the scene, Saulius, who was described as a loving grandfather and father, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.30pm.
Saulius had not suffered a heart attack as suspected. He had been murdered.
He was found to have suffered a single stab wound to the back, as well as other blunt force injuries. The court heard that evidence revealed how he had been stabbed elsewhere and dragged along the ground to his final resting place.
His murderer, who lived in a caravan at the rear of the secluded property, was at the property when the body was found and was described as being “out of it”, but not drunk. He consistently denied the offence.
The house was shared by the victim, his daughter and her two children who she shared with her partner, and her partner’s mother, who was Karbauskas’ aunt. Karbauskas, who was described in court as a man “who liked a drink”, would regularly eat his meals with the others in the house or come to the house for a beer.
A thorough investigation by forensics experts and investigators from Lincolnshire Police and the East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit (EMSOU), revealed damning evidence pointing to Karbauskas guilt.
Officers searching the property found a black puffa jacket on the decking near one of the caravans – which only Karbauskas lived in. When he was taken away from the scene by police, the court heard how Karbauskas chose not to wear this coat. Instead, he put on a brand new jacket – so new, he had to take the tags off it.
Forensic testing later revealed that the jacket had Karbauskas’ DNA on the inside collar, and his blood on the inside front right pocket, while the victim’s blood was found on the outside of the jacket. This DNA proved the Karbauskas had worn it.
The murder weapon, a double-edged 35.5cm knife, was found at the property in rear garden in red plastic bowl. It had the victim’s blood on the blade and Karbauskas’ DNA was found on the handle. The scabbard that the knife would have been stored with was located under Karbauskas’ bed in the caravan that he occupied about a month after the incident.
The court was also played an audio recording which had been captured on cameras installed at the property close to where some of the victim’s blood had been found a distance away from where his body was recovered. The audio was of Karbauskas saying “bleed to death” and uttering the words “I told you I would bury you alive”. The victim was heard to moan and say “Pull it out, Ruli”, a nickname used for Karbauskas.
The trial took place over the past two weeks, and a jury returned the verdict today after just under ten hours of deliberations.
Lead investigator Detective Inspector Adrian Czajkowski from EMSOU, said: “This was a brutal and callous murder of Saulius. On the 14 March 2022 at his home which he shared with his family in the village of Broadholme, he was mercilessly stabbed in his back with a dagger by Rolandas Karbauskas. Not content with his savage actions, he then dragged Saulius down the garden in an attempt to conceal his body out of sight by depositing him behind a large wooden shed before the family returned home.
“Our thoughts are with his daughter and her family. They have lost a devoted father and grandfather and struggle to understand why. I hope that today’s verdict will secure justice for Saulius. I wish to thank the family and witnesses who have come forward to support the investigation. I also want to thank the officers and staff from Lincolnshire Police and the team at EMSOU who have pulled this complex and emotive investigation together.”
Karbauskas will be sentenced on Friday this week (11 November).
New partnership heralded to be the future of great things for Lincoln and Lincolnshire
Having supported Lincoln BIG over the past 12 months as Interim Chief Executive, leading the team through a transitional period, Simon Beardsley will now take on the role of Managing Director of the organisation, while continuing in his current role as Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.
Both organisations have a rich history in supporting Lincoln and the wider county, playing a pivotal role in supporting businesses and whilst this new partnership will strengthen the support provided to members and levy payers, the Boards of the respective organisations will ensure the businesses retain their independence.
Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am thrilled to be able to share this news with you, it is just the start of a fruitful partnership with our friends and colleagues at Lincoln BIG.
“Having been involved with the organisation, both operationally through the Collaboration 4 Growth project, the sharing of back-office services, such as finance management and strategically as a Board director, this development will build on that success, and I am confident and excited by what this new, more formal partnership will offer our business community here in Lincoln and Lincolnshire.”
Craig Harris, Chair of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said: “As the new Chair of Lincolnshire Chamber Board of Directors, I am delighted to be supporting the organisation with this new partnership with Lincoln BIG, both organisations have a common goal of supporting businesses in Lincoln and more widely for the Chamber across Lincolnshire.
“It is of course extremely challenging times for our member businesses, making the work we do vitally important and with the support of the Board directors and Chamber team we will continue to drive forward our vision ‘to help create a sustainable and connected economy for Lincolnshire businesses’ which only compliments that of Lincoln BIG’s and by taking a much more collaborative approach going forward this can only mean great things for the growth of the city and county.”
More disruption for students as Uni’s set to strike
The University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University could join the biggest ever higher education strike in the UK, as over 70,000 staff at 150 universities will strike for three days later this month over attacks on pay, working conditions and pensions.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has backed the strikes, which will be the biggest ever to hit UK universities and could impact 2.5 million students.
UCU said disruption can be avoided if employers act fast and make improved offers. If they don’t, strike action will escalate in the New Year alongside a marking and assessment boycott.
The full strike dates in November are:
- Thursday 24 November
- Friday 25 November
- Wednesday 30 November.
Greater Lincolnshire LEP focuses on ‘four game changing sectors’ at annual conference
The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise’s annual conference, which takes place this week, will will focus on Greater Lincolnshire’s four game-changing sectors – energy, UK Food Valley, defence, and ports & logistics.
The organisers have also brought together a line-up of high-calibre speakers who will lead an in-depth discussion on the day and provide an opportunity for business leaders to pose questions and share views at a time of challenge and unique opportunities for growth.
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Everyone is really looking forward to getting together on Thursday and unpacking our four game-changing sectors.
“The event is free to attend and places are being booked up fast.
“Those attending will be treated to an enlightening discussion about some of the opportunities which have the potential to transform the economy of Greater Lincolnshire.”
Greater Lincolnshire – Leading the Way takes place from 8.30am until 1pm on Thursday 10th November 2022. Register for your free ticket to the conference by visiting the Eventbrite page.
We are also welcoming strategic partners in an exhibition this year showcasing some of our collaborative projects and programmes.
Scunthorpe Business Centre snapped up in £14m acquisition run
Scunthorpe’s Queensway Business Centre has been bought by property investment and development company, Hurstwood Holdings.
Previously owned by Dean Property Group, the recently Refurbished Business Centre in Scunthorpe boasts 20,820 sq ft comprising 33 offices from 168 sq ft.
Hurstwood Holdings has added the hub to its portfolio as part of a recent £14 million acquisition run in recent weeks, taking its total spend on new properties this year to £35m.
The £14m acqusition spree also included Six modern warehouses totalling 15,037 sq ft in Peterborough, a 16,409 sq ft multi-let office building on Museum Street in Ipswich, six warehouse units in Aberdeen, a 30,656 sq ft industrial building in Stockton-on-Tees and a two-storey modern office building totalling 78,577 sq ft, in North Shields.
Stephen Ashworth, Chairman and CEO of Hurstwood Holdings, says: “So far this year, we have acquired 15 new properties with a total investment value of over £35 million. We are always on the lookout for unique opportunities to boost our portfolio from fully occupied buildings to ones where we can capitalise on our in-house team’s expertise and add value. Whilst we are a North West based business, we are significantly increasing our presence nationally with properties in England, Scotland and Wales, spanning from Inverness to Ipswich. We have the experience and skills in house to manage large commercial investments having grown organically over the last 30 years which has helped shape the future of the business. Our focus is to buy property well and use our skills and efficiency of service to provide value and quality of space for our occupiers large and small and for all aspects of commercial uses.”
The buildings were all sold for an undisclosed figure by auction or private treaty. Together provided the funding for each of the purchases.
Boost for Boston coffee house
A Boston coffee shop based in Church Street has received a Capital Grant from a business support programme funded by Boston Town Deal.
‘The Greenhouse’ is owned and run by Dan Revell-Wiseman and Lee Revell-Wiseman (pictured) and they were one of the first businesses to join ‘The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics’ which is being delivered by the University of Lincoln and Boston College.
The programme provides benefits tailored to meet the growth and training needs of Boston town businesses and aims to enhance productivity and profitability. Technical projects are supported by the University of Lincoln and employee training provided by Boston College can be paid for by the programme. The Capital Grant option can be utilised to pay towards equipment purchases that will enhance business performance.
The Greenhouse needed to buy some items of kitchen equipment and by joining the programme and taking up the Capital Grant option they have been able to afford the equipment much sooner than would have been possible without the support.
Programme manager, David Thorpe from the University of Lincoln said: “We are pleased that The Greenhouse has been able to benefit from the programme and to purchase new equipment that will help them to enhance efficiency in the kitchen as well as broaden their product range.
“In addition to serving excellent coffee, they also offer some specialist food items such as a range of gourmet toasties, local cakes and superfood lattes. The grant element of the programme can provide 50% of equipment purchase costs up to a maximum of £10,000. The enrolment process is quick and easy and help with this is available.”
Business owner Dan Revell-Wiseman said: “Joining this programme has enabled us to work towards our aspirations to grow the business. We aim to recruit more staff and provide them with Barista training that can be delivered by Boston College and paid for by the programme.”
The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics is a Boston Town Deal project and Neil Kempster, chair of Boston Town Deal, said: “The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics is aimed at helping businesses in certain sectors to grow, thrive, and succeed and it is fantastic to see the impact that it is already having.
“The type of support offered through the centre’s programme can be hugely beneficial for businesses and The Greenhouse is a great example of the difference that it can make.”
Iconic Lincoln property, Judge’s Lodgings acquired by new owner of the White Hart Hotel
The Judge’s Lodgings, an iconic and historic property in the heart of the cathedral city of Lincoln has been acquired by locally based businessman Andrew Long, following his recent purchase of the adjacent White Hart Hotel.
TSP Developments (part of Andrew’s Travel Sector Property Group) has acquired a 999-year ‘virtual freehold’ interest in the Judge’s Lodgings from Lincolnshire County Council.
Coleby-based businessman and Chartered Surveyor Andrew Long recently acquired the White Hart Hotel, together with the site of the White Hart Garages and car park in July this summer. Proposals for the hotel’s major refurbishment and the redevelopment of the White Hart Garages site are now being prepared in conjunction with his planned full refurbishment of the Judge’s Lodgings building.
Andrew explains: “My TSP group of companies are working closely with locally-based John Roberts Architects and our wider project team to produce a major redevelopment and significant overall enhancement scheme for the St Paul’s Lane, Bailgate and Castle Hill quarter of the city.
“Subject to obtaining the respective statutory consents, there is now a unique opportunity to deliver a fully interrelated redevelopment scheme for the White Hart Garages and car park site, in conjunction with the refurbishment and sustainable long-term future use of the Judge’s Lodgings.”
Andrew added: “With long-established vehicular access from and to St Paul’s Lane, we are proposing a high quality dedicated arcade of ‘kiosk-style’ retail units for artisan crafts and products/services, that will be situated within the frontage of 2 Bailgate, immediately opposite the White Hart Hotel.
“This arcade will then also provide an attractive safe pedestrian link through to the new on-site parking area, as to be situated immediately to the rear of the Judge’s Lodgings, from which there will also be direct customer access.
“Subject to further detailed design, we will also create an additional 30 hotel bedrooms within a combination of the upper floor level of the original Judge’s Lodgings building and ‘new build’ elements within the overall site, all to be operated through the White Hart Hotel (currently 50 bedrooms) and situated within a fully integrated landscaped setting. The ground floor of the Judge’s Lodgings is to be used for high quality restaurant and other hospitality facilities, on which further information will be released at a later stage.”
The Grade II ‘star’ Listed building was owned by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) who had declared it surplus to their requirements and sought to find a suitable new owner committed to the full refurbishment of the building and its appropriate long-term use.
Andrew France, associate director at Lambert Smith Hampton, marketing agents for the property, said: “Acting on behalf of LCC, we are pleased to have concluded this transaction with TSP Developments and have been impressed with the proposed refurbishment scheme in conjunction with Andrew Long’s redevelopment of the immediately adjacent White Hart Garages site.”
Marketed with a guide price of ‘offers in excess of £850,000’, the negotiated contracted price is strictly confidential.
James Cook, of Kier Design & Business Services on behalf of LCC, added: “There has been detailed engagement to successfully finalise the transaction to the satisfaction of both parties over the last eight months, for what should now be a secure long-term future for the Judge’s Lodgings.”
The predominantly Georgian building was first built in 1810 and has a commanding ‘landmark’ location overlooking Castle Hill Square, immediately adjacent to the Eastern Main Gate of Lincoln Castle (built by William Conqueror in 1068).
Andrew Long added: “There is a relatively unattractive 1958 utilitarian-style flat roof extension that has no architectural merit, but there is now a significant important redevelopment opportunity in conjunction with the site of the White Hart Garages, which will also retain approximately 40 on-site customer parking spaces for the White Hart Hotel.”
Shoosmiths Solicitors of Leeds acted on behalf of TSP Developments, in conjunction with PBC Surveyors and Project Managers of London, Andrew having worked closely with both of these firms on numerous major projects throughout the UK for in excess of 25 years.
Paul Philips, Managing Director at PBC, added: “We are very pleased to be working with Andrew in the wonderful historic city of Lincoln, based on established long-term professional relationships and also Andrew’s renewed close working relationship with John Roberts Architects, together with other locally based members of the project team.”
Ten motorbikes recovered and three arrested in Scunthorpe
Three people have been arrested and motorbikes have been recovered following a warrant at a property in Scunthorpe.
Officers executed a warrant at a premises on Warley Road and upon entering discovered approximately ten stolen motorbikes.
A man and woman, both aged 41 and a 17-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of class B drugs and handling stolen goods.
They have since been released under investigation whilst officers continue with lines of enquiry.
Police continue to tackle the crime and antisocial behaviour caused by nuisance motorcycles under our ongoing Operation Yellowfin.
Anyone with any information about this type of crime, please call Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting OpYellowfin.
Why UK homeless charities need help now more than ever (and what you can do)
Many of us have charitable causes that are close to our hearts. Whether it’s a charity that helps those with an ailment you’ve experienced, or one that cares for animals that you love, you’ll probably feel a strong emotional attachment to your cause.
One type of charity that everyone should consider supporting is a homeless charity. All of us, at some point or another, have experienced housing uncertainty, and it’s surprisingly easy to find yourself without somewhere safe to stay.
So, we should all try to help the homeless. While homeless charities have always needed support, they need it now more than ever.
Here are some of the reasons why homeless charities need your support right now and how you can give it.
