Transformation gathers pace
Banks Long & Co is delighted with the progress being made on the dramatic transformation of Lincoln’s important Cornhill Quarter.
The first phase of a major regeneration scheme has already seen around £3 million worth of work breathe new life into the city’s historic Corn Exchange and businesses, including Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Moss Bros and Thomas Cook are now trading from this iconic building.
A new dining-out name for Lincoln, The Cosy Club, is eager to join them in February, following a full new fit-out of the building’s impressive upper floor.
Work on the second phase of this landmark project is now well underway – demolition of all but the facades of shops numbered 30-35 Sincil Street has been completed.
This phase along with additional development southwards along Sincil Street will take the total invested by Lincolnshire Co-op to well over the £10m mark.
Numbers 30-35 Sincil Street will provide in excess of 21,000 sq ft of retail floor space, comprising four units, two of which will feature double-height shop fronts. One of the units totalling 4,000 sq.ft. is already under offer to a national retailer.
“Exchange Square” is the focus of a planning application lodged with the City of Lincoln Council for the construction of a carefully-designed contemporary new building. It will be anchored by the planned four-screen Everyman Cinema, which will be sited within the second floor.
Everyman is a quality boutique cinema chain. This new venue will provide a full dining experience, complete with a smart roof-top terrace giving people clear views of Lincoln Cathedral.
Work is scheduled to start on this phase in Summer 2018 with completion scheduled for 12 months later. Below Everyman, six new shops and restaurant units will be created, all fronting onto Exchange Square and providing a total of over 27,500 sq ft of space.
Whilst these new blocks are being constructed, the public highway and access areas are to be upgraded using quality materials such as York stone and granite.
The area from Greenwoods south to the new bus station will be totally repaired. The public space between the Corn Exchange building and the new cinema block will be transformed into Exchange Square, with feature seating, lighting and areas where people can relax and enjoy the quality environment.
Further shop front enhancement work will be carried out during 2018. Special emphasis will be put on either replacing or repairing the frontages to ensure the return of Sincil Street’s attractive streetscape.
Banks Long & Co Managing Director Tim Bradford, said: “This is a once in a lifetime project for the team at Banks Long & Co, as well as the other local consultants who are working on the scheme.
“From the early blue sky thinking, linked with the Council’s Transport Hub, to agreeing the first lettings and then seeing the building surveyors at Banks Long pull the building team together, it has been an exciting journey and we still have a long way to travel!”
For further information visit: www.cornhillquarter.co.uk