New green space opens in market town

A new green space in a Lincolnshire market town has officially opened.

The transformation of the former Baltic Mill site in Gainsborough, off Caskgate Street, is part of an £18m regeneration programme.

The accessible space overlooking the River Trent features a grass area, benches, plants and a pergola with a map of the town.

West Lindsey District Council leader Trevor Young said: "It's a place for people to rest, relax and connect with nature - right in the heart of the community."

The project is one of six involved in the council's Levelling Up programme - Thriving Gainsborough - to help tackle economic decline in the area.

According to Public Health England, greener communities lead to health improvements, particularly among disadvantaged groups.

Sally Grindrod-Smith, director of planning, regeneration and communities, called the scheme "an integral part" of the Thriving Gainsborough programme.

She said: "Access to quality green space is limited in this part of Gainsborough and we wanted to address this as part of a wider programme of improvements in the area."

As part of wider plans within the project, a former toilet block in Whitton Gardens is being transformed into a cafe and is expected to be completed by late spring.

A four-screen £9m cinema in Market Place is also on course to be open in summer, according to managers.

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