Brigg Blog has today contacted the Lincolnshire Co-op to request the opening date for the latest store it is building in our area. This retail outlet is taking shape in Barnetby.
Other Co-op outlets were created for Scawby, Broughton and Hibaldstow in recent years.
Construction of a new one in Barnetby is now well advanced, with indications it will be opening this summer. We took the picture seen above yesterday (Tuesday, July 12) as work continued on the site.
The Barnetby store is expected to create 14 full-time jobs, but the project was delayed by the onset of the Coronavirus emergency,
Planning permission for land adjoining the railway village's Victoria Road was granted by North Lincolnshire Council in March 2020.
The site of the store near the main Doncaster to Cleethorpes railway line and the now-disused Barnetby East signalbox was occupied by a well-known local scaffolding company for many years.
Barnetby's Co-op will stock fresh and frozen goods, meat, fruit & veg, chilled beers and wines and freshly baked bread and pastries.
While the progession of the store project is welcome news, Barnetby's public conveniences - located nearby - were locked and unavailable yesterday morning.
This was a disappointment as some trains serving the railway station just a few yards away were cancelled (resulting in passengers having to wait for the next to arrive).
Network Rail does not provide toilets on or near the platforms, of which there are four - more than any other station in North Lincolnshire.
Barnetby's public conveniences are provided by North Lincolnshire Council.
Brigg Blog contacted the authority this morning to inquire about the reason for the village toilets being out of action yesterday and when normal service will be resumed.
We hope to be able to update this post with information from the Co-op and the council later today if/when replies are received.