Work starts on store and housing development

A £2m scheme to create a new food store, commercial units and houses on a busy Lincoln road begins this week (week commencing 28th March 2022).

Lincolnshire Co-op plans to open the new food store on Skellingthorpe Road in early 2023.

Under the first phase of the scheme, being led by South Hykeham-based Maher Millard Construction, the former pub building will be demolished. The food store and two additional units will then be constructed before a pair of semi-detached three-bedroomed houses will be built later in 2023.

The shop will replace the society’s Swanpool Food Store, further down Skellingthorpe Road. The outlet will remain open until the new one is complete. The existing 12-strong team are going to transfer over with up to five new jobs being created.

Inside, the new store will offer 50 per cent more sales space, with a larger choice of products and services like chilled beers and wines, freshly baked bread and a Costa Express service. It will have a substantially larger car park, with 30 spaces.

The two commercial units will be suitable for a variety of uses – such as retail, health and beauty or takeaway – and when complete, will be marketed to let.

Lincolnshire Co-op had planning permission granted in 2019 for a similar scheme but prolonged utilities work in the area – as well as the impact of the pandemic – meant the start of the project was delayed.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Store Development Manager Matt Wilkinson said: “We’re excited to start work on this development which will offer our team a better working environment and our members and customers in the area a much-improved service.

“We’d like to thank everyone for bearing with us during the time it has taken to get this scheme underway. We’re sure the new store will be worth the wait.”