This story is over
Council bosses mourn loss of trade for nearly 25% of businesses as £200m handed out in grants
Will they be able to open the doors again?
Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Lincolnshire bosses have mourned the closure of nearly a quarter of the county’s businesses as nearly £200 million has been paid out to support the economy.
Lincolnshire County Council’s executive portfolio holder for economy Councillor Colin Davie told the authority’s executive during a live virtual meeting that £198.7 million had been handed out so far by district and unitary councils – around 80% of the money available.
County council braced for flurry of pavement seating extensions
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
County council bosses have vowed not to turn a blind eye to businesses which abuse new legislation allowing restaurants and pubs to set up on pavements easier.
Five out of the seven district councils have so far agreed to let Lincolnshire County Council take the reins on new rules which attempt to streamline the ability of businesses to get licences to place furniture on the footpath outside their premises.
The new legislation is one of the measures from central government hoping to help kickstart the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust HQ.
A hospital in Lincolnshire could be set aside to be “COVID-free” as part of plans to restore some essential services.
Bosses at United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust said they were still in the early stages of planning and waiting to confirm details.
However, they confirmed they are exploring providing a “physical separation” between those patients who potentially have COVID-19 and patients requiring routine care in disease-free environments.
Chief Executive Andrew Morgan said: “Nationally, the NHS is entering the next phase of the COVID 19 pandemic and this requires all NHS organisations to develop plans to safely restore some essential non-COVID services.
First case of Coronavirus confirmed in North East Lincolnshire
The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in North East Lincolnshire.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals, confirmed it was dealing with a “small number of patients” with COVID-19 across both its hospital sites.
In a statement, NLaG said it was well prepared to treat patients with COVID-19.
Dr Kate Wood, Medical Director at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole FT said: “We can confirm that we are currently caring for patients who have tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. They are being very safely cared for by our highly skilled teams and all of the appropriate protection measures are in place.
First Lincolnshire pub to close due to COVID-19 staff symptoms
Photo: The Elm Cottage
The Elm Cottage pub in Gainsborough has closed less than a week after reopening, due to a staff member displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
The Elm Cottage on Church Street, Gainsborough, reopened on July 4 with strict table service and limited numbers.
The member of staff went for a test on Friday morning, after developing “mild” symptoms of the virus.
With the results due back in the next 48-72 hours, the owners have decided to shut their doors until the result surfaces.
It has become the first reported pub in the county to temporarily close again with COVID-19 symptoms.