City of Lincoln Council deny Lincoln Cornhill Market opening delay

The City of Lincoln Council are looking for a variety of stall-holders for Cornhill Market.

The City of Lincoln Council has denied it is struggling to attract stall-holders to its revamped Cornhill Market.

So far, 18 businesses have been sent leases to secure a stall at the new market.

The market, previously Central Market, began a £7m refurbishment in May 2022.

Kate Ellis from the council told the BBC that they have had more than 175 expressions of interest for 35 places.

She said the council is looking for the right mix of retailers instead of "having five stalls selling cookies, for example" and is in talks with more businesses but has not confirmed an opening date.

City of Lincoln Council is yet to announce an opening date for Cornhill Market

• Revamped market opening pushed back to 2024

The 35 stalls at the revamped market will include a mixture of permanent traders and pop-ups, with hot and cold food as well as retail.

Kate Ellis, strategic director for major developments at the city council, said they are working with the traders to ensure they can open the market by spring for the summer season.

She said: "We are not having any problems with stalls, it just takes time and we are dealing with a lot of small businesses and start-ups."

Ms Ellis also said that the interest has been "phenomenal" in the "current economic climate".

Rent prices for the cheapest stall in the market is the equivalent of £35.90 per trading day, which includes the service charge as well as rent.

'Building of destination'

The renovation includes a mezzanine floor, a variety of new stalls, glazing, and upgraded heating and lighting systems.

City of Lincoln Council said its ambition for Cornhill Market, located in Sincil Street, is to create a "building of destination".

The market was previously Lincoln Central Market, with stallholders vacating the premises in December 2021 for refurbishments, with some who had worked there for more than 40 years.