Lovelincoln.co.uk has learnt that that there could be a new addition to the Lincoln pub scene in the not too distant future if the planning application is accepted.

The proposal is for retail unit 29-31 on The Strait at the bottom of Steep Hill to be transformed into a new pub after being left empty for the last six years.

The building previously housed a catalogue shop but is set for a facelift with the help of agents Raw Design.

The Planning Committee will consider the application on 8^th February 2012.

Make sure you keep up with Lovelincoln.co.uk for all the latest news on what could be another exciting new development for the city!

Say Sayonara to Sakura this weekend!

One of Lincoln’s popular clubs is set to close its doors and re-open as a new and exciting venue in the spring.

Sakura on Lincoln High Street will close after 4^th February, but don’t panic! The popular club is being refurbished as a Hawaiian themed venue bringing a new and fresh twist to the area.

Due to re-open on 6^th April, the Hawaiian chain can bring the feel of summer to Lincoln early. Known for its drinks menu, this club will add to the success of the expanding nightlife in Lincoln, which has recently seen the opening of Home and Tokyo making this another great venue to add to the list!

Sakura, which is a Japanese themed nightclub, and Lola Lo are both owned by Eclectic Bars.

Lola Lo bars and clubs can be found across the UK in many big cities including Bournemouth, Brighton, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Norwich, Oxford and Reading.

With stunning interiors Lola Lo recreates an authentic Polynesian vibe bringing a premium venue to Lincoln.

There’s still time to say goodbye to Sakura at Sayonara Sakura which the club is hosting on Saturday!

February is upon us and LoveLincoln.co.uk has the scoop on what’s on in Lincoln for Valentine’s Day.

There’s plenty for couples to do leading up to and on Valentine’s Day in Lincoln:

A Valentine’s Day Visit to Translunar Paradise

To mark Valentine’s Night in a unique way Lincoln Drill Hall is delighted to present a special Valentine’s production from London’s Theatre Ad Infinitum. Translunar Paradise takes the audience on a journey of life, death, and enduring love and follows the story of William who, after his wife passes away, escapes to a paradise of fantasy and past memories, a place far from the reality of his grief.

Using a live accordion accompaniment, this exquisite piece of mask and movement theatre was a critically acclaimed sellout at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011. The show is set to begin at 8pm on 14^th February at Lincoln Drill Hall. Tickets are £10 per person and include a glass of fizz and delicious food in the café bar.

Win free tickets to Translunar Paradise!

We’re offering a chance to win a pair of tickets to Theatre Ad Infinitum’s Translunar Paradise – a production that will take guests on a journey of life, death, and enduring love on Valentine’s night.

Just send your answer to the following question to hello@lovelincoln.co.uk before 12 noon on Thursday 9^th February. Please include your full name and phone number in the email.

Approximately how many Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year throughout the world?

A) One hundred thousand

B) One million

C) One hundred million

D) One billion

All entries must be submitted to hello@lovelincoln.co.uk by 12 noon on Thursday, 9^th February. Entries must include the correct answer to the question, along with your full name and phone number. One entrant who submits the correct answer via email will be selected at random as winner and will be notified via email on 9th February.

Bang the African Drums

Couples looking to try something a bit different this Valentine’s Day can head to the Terry O’Toole Theatre at 7pm on 14^th February for its weekly Djembe Drum Workshop. Share an evening learning how to play one of Africa’s best-known instruments and maybe even create a love song for your loved one.

St. Valentine’s Lunchtime Concert

Back at the Drill Hall soprano Kate Witney and pianist Stuart Bower will perform a special concert of romantic songs selected specially for St Valentine’s Day at 1.05pm on 14^th February. Including works by Vaughan Williams, Roger Quilter and Richard Strauss, the concert will take couples on a musical journey through different musical eras and styles. Tickets cost £6 in advance and £7 on the day.

Dance the Night Away

Tokyo’s Monday night LoveDough is a perfect way for couples to let loose leading into Valentine’s Day. Single men and ladies: don’t worry! LoveDough is sure to be packed with other singles looking for some fun, and maybe even a Valentine! From 10.30pm on Monday 13^th February couples and singles can groove to an eclectic mix of hip-hop and R&B spun by skilled DJs who can cut, juggle and scratch.

With the Olympic Games only a few months away Lincoln has seen an increase in interest for its two most popular sporting events – which are both seeing changes during 2012!

The Active Nation Lincoln 10K now takes place over two days to become the Active Nation Lincoln 10K Sporting Weekend. Several of the  races this year will take place on Saturday 24^th March with the main weekend event, the Lincoln 10K road race, taking place on Sunday 25^th March.

There’s fun for all the family with a number of free, ‘come and try it’ sessions from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 24^th March at Yarborough Leisure Centre. These include golf, wheelchair basketball, water polo, hockey and other sports.

T he Lincoln Grand Prix returns to its roots on Sunday 13^th May when the distance for this 57-year old will return to 13 laps of the eight-mile course. The 102-mile long race is scheduled to start at 10am from Yarborough Sports Centre with the finish line at Castle Square.

Elly Sample from the University of Lincoln, which is now the event’s main sponsor, said: “We’re very proud to be able to support such a prestigious sporting event which has been bringing world-class athletes to our city for many years.

“The Lincoln Grand Prix is a much-loved annual fixture in the cycling calendar and we hope people across the city will be out in force to cheer on the competitors.”

The 2^nd Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive, a scenic pre-ride leading into the Lincoln Grand Prix, will also see changes in 2012 with a 75-mile route being added to the existing 25-mile family event on Saturday 12^th May, set to begin between 8am and 9am.

For more information about the Active Nation Lincoln 10K Sport Weekend visit http://lincoln10k.co.uk/.

For more information about 57^th Annual Lincoln Grand Prix and 2^nd Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive, visit www.lincolngrandprix.org.uk.

Christmas may be just a distant memory, but Lincoln Theatre Royal is keeping in the holiday spirit by announcing ticket sales for its thigh-slapping 2012 pantomime Dick Whittington – once again featuring comedy duo Cannon and Ball.

The Theatre Royal’s 2011 pantomime Cinderella was a huge success with rocketing ticket sales attracting a total audience of more than 27,000 during its 56 shows from December 2011 through to January 2012.

Speaking about the pantomime’s success, Ian Dickens, CEO and Artistic Director said: “We are delighted with Cinderella – the quality was exceptional and beat last year’s Aladdin which we thought was brilliant. Cinderella was fast-paced and in your face with quick-witted comedy from Cannon and Ball. It was the perfect recipe for a pantomime.”

Actress Nicola Weeks, who played Prince Charming in Cinderella, has been confirmed to play Dick in Dick Whittington at the end of this year. Ian Dickens said: “People can expect an exciting local pantomime with a traditional storyline but with some exciting modern twists. One of the big features will be the amazing ship we have.”

Dick Whittington will run from Friday 7^th December 2012 to Sunday 13^th January 2013, with a total of 66 performances.

To purchase tickets for Lincoln Theatre Royal’s Dick Whittington, visit www.lincolntheatreroyal.com or call 01522 519999.

The Ritz Cinema, formerly one of Lincoln’s most loved community venues, is set to re-open its doors. Thanks to a newly announced project being led by Off The Bench, a Lincoln non-profit organisation, the 75-year old High Street theatre will undergo restoration throughout 2012 to bring it back to its former glory.

The Ritz closed as a cinema nearly 14 years ago and it is estimated that the renovation work will cost around £750,000. Pete Genders, CEO at Off The Bench, said: “We work with young people all over the city and see ourselves as a youth project. It made sense to restore one of Lincoln’s most loved venues, a project that all of the community can benefit from.”

The restoration project is set to be completed in the autumn, just in time for the Christmas blockbusters to hit the screens, with the standard ticket price already set at a minimal price of £4.50 per person.

To kick-start the restoration, members of the community including residents and business owners are invited to tour the building on Saturday 22^nd February as well as being treated to a screening of San Francisco, the first film to ever be shown at The Ritz. Admission for the film is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The opening of the building is set to be an all day event. Off The Bench are looking for volunteers to help with the project and are asking for suggestions from the public for future fund-raising events.

Pete Genders said: “We want to get all of the community involved. We’re asking people to donate what they can to the project and assist where they can. One way of helping is for local businesses to sponsor a theatre seat for £100 or by spending some time helping to clean-up the building’s interior in preparation for the planned renovations.”

If you’re interested in assisting with the Ritz cinema restoration project, contact Pete Genders via email or by phone at 01522 837293.