Work has officially begun on the significant regeneration project at 2-4 Market Place in Caistor. Promising to continue the reawakening of Caistor, the news came as compound construction began in the Market Place yesterday (June 19th), signalling the long-awaited start of this Lincolnshire Wolds project. Messenger – part of the BCR Group, principal contractor for the project and the team who recently undertook and completed the cutting-edge conservation work at Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace, Greenwood Projects – the firm that has supported 2-4 Market Place from day one with Graham Tait Project Managing, and AnotherKind Architects, will be working hand-in-hand with the Caistor and District Community Trust (CDCT) to ensure a smooth start to this scheme of work, as the on-site compound settles into the Market Place for Phase One of the renovations. While the arrival of the compound will reduce the number of parking spaces available in the town centre, Neil Castle, Company Secretary of the Trust, explains that the impact on the local businesses and residents as well as visitors has been fully considered and mitigated by Highways as well as Caistor Town Council. “It’s understandable that concern has been raised about fewer parking spaces being available in the town centre,” said Neil. “To keep as many spaces free as possible, the compound has been thoughtfully constructed and will be decorated in collaboration with the Caistor in Bloom volunteers to feature the work of local artists. It has also been agreed that contractors will be parking off-site away from the prime parking locations.” “Highways has been involved from the initial planning stages, and is on board with the requirements needed on-site,” Neil added. “Having had considerable conversations with our primary contractor, Messenger, about the best way to manage the compound needs alongside those of local residents, businesses and visitors, Highways has performed its due diligence and, in doing so, has galvanised the Caistor Town Council into reviewing parking options locally, which can only be of further benefit for the town. “To say we’re are delighted to see work commencing to breathe life back into these buildings is an understatement. They have for too long stood neglected in our town square.” Caistor has seen a boom in business recently, both with new arrivals, as well as those resident businesses that are up-scaling and taking up vacant units, so to be able to further add to this enterprise by providing opportunities for community activities, social space and to help bring additional tourism to the town, is incredibly important to all involved in the 2-4 Market Place project. Supported with principal grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, investment from Community Share Holders and Co-op UK, a Towns Fund grant from West Lindsey District Council, and additional support from The Pilgrim Trust, Caistor Town Council and the Lady Neville Trust, the diverse and vibrant mixed-use development scheme that has been carefully planned out with AnotherKind Architects will include the repair and conservation of the complex of historic buildings, transforming 2-4 Market Place into a space the whole community can be proud of. Having been vacant for several years and noted on the building’s ‘at risk’ register as needing immediate attention, the restored buildings, in their full glory, will create spaces for retail units, which could include a restaurant/cafe, a community space for functions, exhibitions and other community activities, self-catering holiday lets, and – in Phase Two – spaces that can be used as offices or arts-and-crafts business units, storage for local archival materials and a space for the Trust to work from. With work now underway, prioritising the completion of the market square facing shopfronts of 2, 3 and 4 Market Place, the community room above number 4, two holiday lets above numbers 2 and 3, the new core service building and the restored courtyard, the continued collaboration between the Trust and its partners will support the aim to get work completed on Phase One for Summer 2025. As work progresses, hard hat tours for shareholders, funders, schools and other interested parties will take place, showcasing the history of the buildings, their current state and how this regeneration project will benefit the area in the long term, enhancing what Caistor already has to offer both as a place to live and work as well as a place to visit.

Waltham Toll Bar Academy has become North East Lincolnshire’s first ‘Foster Friendly’ employer under a new scheme launched by the Council, committing to support staff who are already foster carers, or those who may choose to become so in the future. The scheme was launched during the recent Fostering Fortnight activities, encouraging businesses and organisations across the borough to support foster carers. Principal of Waltham Toll Bar Academy Nigel Whittle said: “We are pleased to support North East Lincolnshire Council’s campaign and proud to become the first ‘Foster friendly’ school in the borough. “We are aware of the shortage of foster carers and, as an employer, are committed to promoting their much-valued work and supporting colleagues who wish to take on such important roles. “Foster parents can provide the stability a child needs and transform their life chances. It can also be a rewarding experience, knowing you’ve made the difference to a young person’s prospects. “We wish the campaign every success and reiterate our willingness to be involved and partner North East Lincolnshire Council in initiatives that benefit children across the area.”

Pupils, teachers, parents and pedestrians have joined North Lincolnshire Council in thanking school crossing patrol Margaret Long, who last month chalked up 30 years service helping the people and families of Bottesford cross the road safely. Margaret patrols the busy Messingham Road crossing at the junction with Moorwell Road in Scunthorpe. In her 30 years helping the children and pedestrians of Bottesford cross safely, she says the main change is that drivers have become less patient and take more risks. Margaret said: “I have loved every minute of this job crossing pedestrians safely. I especially enjoy listening to the children telling me what they are doing at school.” She added that she would encourage anyone to become a crossing patrol. “The only downside is that sometimes the weather can be bad.” Alison Barker, chief executive of North Lincolnshire Council, presented Margaret with a certificate marking her long-service achievement. She said: “A big thank-you goes out to Margaret – and all our crossing patrol people – who turn out in all weathers to make sure our children cross the road safely. “Everyone remembers their school crossing patrol person, and there must be some people out there who remember crossing the road with Margaret who are now parents themselves.”