It left aisles looking bare
A number of supermarkets across Lincolnshire were left without fridge or freezer sections on Tuesday, after the intense heat caused them to break down.
Tuesday, July 19 recorded the hottest temperatures since records began in England, with two Lincolnshire places (Coningsby and Waddington) being at the top of the national list with peaks of 40.3°C in the afternoon.
This heatwave prompted many to stay at home, with Lincoln High Street looking more like a desert than an area to shop on Tuesday – thanks to the Met Office’s inaugural red weather warning for heat.
Notices were put up as fridges and freezers broke under the pressure of 40 degree heat. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Aisles were bare as items were taken off shelves due to the heat. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Services across the nation were affected, including schools, transport and waste collection, but it was also supermarket retailers feeling the brunt of the heat, as multiple reports of broken down fridges left shoppers and staff with a dilemma.
In Sleaford, Tesco Superstore on Northgate had numerous aisles closed due to this issue – leaving the supermarket with no refrigerated items at the store on Tuesday evening.
An empty aisle with shutters pulled down at Sleaford Tesco. | Photo: The Lincolnite
A similar story at Lincoln’s Sainbsury’s store on Tritton Road. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Items such as meat, cheese and frozen goods including chips and vegetables were blocked off by shopping trollies and boxes, as staff aimed to cope with the challenging issue.
Sainsbury’s on Tritton Road in Lincoln suffered a similar fate, with notices on freezer doors across the store to say that “due to current weather conditions”, the fridges and freezers aren’t working and are therefore unavailable.
Many sections of the store had to be closed off. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The heat put a spanner in the works of those special offers. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Both stores apologised for any inconvenience with these notices, and it was an issue that multiple supermarket retailers faced on the hottest day in recorded history for the United Kingdom.
Temperatures have since eased into the mid-20s after the record breaking day, allowing for repairs to take place and the fridge aisles to be reinstated.
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This is a ‘golden opportunity’ to create one nearby
Councillor Ian Selby wants to see a park in the Poet's Corner estate in his Harrowby ward | Photo: LDRS\The Lincolnite
A councillor has called for a Grantham estate to get a park which will stop children from having to cross a busy main road.
Councillor Ian Selby says the Harrowby ward hasn’t had its “fair share of funding” in the past, and wants to see more investment.
Top of his wish list is a play park for children in the Poet’s Corner estate.
He says that the only nearby play park forces the estate’s kids to cross the busy Harrowby Lane.
“Safety is paramount for our children and they should have a safe place they can grow up and enjoy their young lives just as many other children have the opportunity,” Councillor Selby, an unaligned Independent member, said.
“Around the Poet’s Corner estate and the neighbouring ward, unfortunately the children have to cross a very busy road to a very small play area that doesn’t meet the needs of the older children’s age group.”
Councillor Selby believes he has the perfect spot for a park | Photo: LDRS/The Lincolnite
He would like to see play equipment installed at the council-owned land off Rossetti Close, which is currently an open park.
He recently urged for South Kesteven’s less affluent areas to get their fair share of government funding.
The council has recently been allocated £3.9million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which will be used to improve communities around the district.
“All I have been asking for since well before the pandemic is the same provision that other areas have,” Councillor Selby said.
“The council have a golden opportunity regarding the availability of land to provide much needed recreational facilities, not just for children but also for adults to enjoy and that will go a long way to helping both the physical and mental wellbeing for hundreds of people that live in that area.
“I am only asking for some fairness with the distribution of funding to an area that has not had its fair share of funding.”
The Sunningdale park in Grantham which is well-equipped, but too far for children in Harrowby | Photo: LDRS/The Lincolnite
Mum-of-six Deborah Dove, 44, who lives on the Poet’s Corner estate, said a nearby park would help to build community.
“Children need somewhere they can feel safe and play. My kids tend to stay at home because there’s nowhere to go,” she said.
“Older children still need their parents’ help to cross the road to the Harrowby Lane park, and ring them when they need to come back, because it’s so busy.
“Teenagers sometimes travel out of the area to the Sunningdale park, where they’re away from their local community and people who can look out for them.
“If we had a nearby park, you would get to know your neighbours and make sure all of the children are safe.”
A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council: “South Kesteven District Council has submitted its investment plan for almost £3.9m of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to the Government for approval.
“We are awaiting endorsement of those plans so that we can begin to identify specific projects within those themes, with a wide range of investment set to be considered according to the criteria.
“The process for submissions to the fund is yet to be determined. We anticipate this will involve a set process, to include discussion and endorsement at a dedicated committee before any final decisions are taken. In addition to evidence of local need, decision making may be influenced by the potential for any future recurring costs to the council.
“In response to reference at Full Council to Harrowby Ward, it was stated in the meeting that it is important to ensure the fund benefits the whole of the district. The meeting heard how deprivation exists in all corners of the district, including rural areas.”
“It won’t be young revellers making a hell of a ruckus”
The holiday park promises 'five star' accommodation | Photo: Greens Park Homes
A divisive holiday park has been given the green light, with councillors reassurred that it’s unlikely to disrupt residents.
The “five star” park would see 79 static caravans located near Market Rasen Racecourse.
Objectors said they feared it would become a ratrun and lead to noise and light pollution.
However, a visit to the site by West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee allayed concerns over traffic problems.
They hope it will provide Market Rasen with an economic boost instead.
Councillor Roger Patterson said in the meeting: “This will be good for the town, raising the possibility of regeneration and attracting more people to the shops, pubs, cafés and supermarkets.
“This isn’t a Club 18 to 30 or a hotel in Spain – it won’t be young revellers making a hell of a ruckus. You get a very specific group.
“All of the holiday parks I’ve visited have been peaceful and there’s never been any issues or anti-social behaviour.”
The site would make it easy for holidaymakers to visit the racecourse or golf course | Photo: Google
Councillor Angela White agreed, saying: “There are many more holiday sites in Woodall Spa than Market Rasen, and the high street there is always vibrant because people who come on their holidays support the economy.”
However, some still harboured doubts about the traffic situation.
Councillor Cordelia McCartney said: “Members who went on the site visit probably saw it peaceful and tranquil – at school time or a race day it’s more like Euston Road [in London].”
To address the issues, the holiday park will be required to stagger arrival and departure times.
Traffic also won’t be allowed to turn left out of the site on Legsby Road.
The plans were brought by Green Park Caravans, who said there was demand for high-quality holiday homes in the area.
The park is expected to be used by holidaymakers all year round.