A struggling Lincoln business owner has hit out at local authorities following a new set of works at the city‘s Glory Hole. Roger Baldam-Lucas, owner of Now Salon, says his business is already affected by the county council‘s ongoing closure of the famous footpath, where his business is based, and now further works are being done at Stokes coffee shop on the High Street.
The City of Lincoln Council‘s repairs to the historic coffee shop meant the building was surrounded by scaffolding, with six weeks of work expected to start on September 18. Now, the council has also closed off the footpath on the other side of the Glory Hole passage, preventing residents and visitors from cutting through along the River Witham, from the High Street to Wigford Way or the Brayford.
“The timing is absolutely ridiculous,” said Mr Baldam-Lucas. “Why do they have to start the work so soon before any actual construction begins?”
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The Glory Hole footpath has been closed by Lincolnshire County Council since February due to fractured wooden beams and deteriorating areas of the concrete bed. Repair costs are escalating due to the difficulty in accessing the site. The proposed solution is to install a structure similar to the previous timber jetty, but using modern materials that mimic timber.
The closure means Now Salon is only accessible from one direction, and the new works have obscured the entrance to the Glory Hole. “We are not visible in any way, shape or form,” said Mr Baldam-Lucas. “Business is very flat. I’m struggling to pay my bills at times. We’re taking, on average, well under £1,000 a week and we’re open seven days a week!”
(Image: LDRS)
“Why couldn’t they [the city council and the county council] have liaised with each other to time things better? They don’t give a flying sausage,” he added. “It sometimes feels like they’re trying to close me down.”
A spokesperson for the City of Lincoln Council said: “These essential works to the roof on the Stokes building on High Bridge have been in planning for some time and include a full refurbishment of the entire roof, as well as the redecoration of the painted surfaces of the building. Once complete, these works will have a long-term positive impact on the area by preserving a very special and unique building in the city.”
It is understood that Lincolnshire County Council was not notified of the works, but that the City of Lincoln Council had been planning them prior to the original closure. The city council has not provided a definitive timeline for the completion of the works, noting that timescales are “subject to change” once the condition of the roof is known and if the weather changes.
Mr Baldam-Lucas also pointed out that the area has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, including public defecation. “It’s become very much used as a toilet as well. Not just for urination, but also for defecation, and we’re having to clear it up ourselves,” he added.
(Image: LDRS)
Lincolnshire County Council is still confirming plans for the repairs of the site. The new structure will be lightweight, minimising the amount of material needed to be removed adjacent to the listed buildings in the area.
Restoring the historic Glory Hole footpath could cost between £60,000 and £100,000, with prices escalating due to the difficulty in accessing the site, which will require a specialist subcontractor providing divers and the use of floating pontoons.
Security around the original closure has been increased after instances of people risking their lives by squeezing through the fencing. Measures include extra video surveillance cameras, sandbags and barriers to prevent further trespassing.
The county council is continuing to investigate the extent of the damage to the structure and has previously described it as a “fluid, changing situation.”