FIRST BRIGG SHOPPING ARCHES PROVING A TALKING POINT

The four shopping arches recently installed in Brigg - pictured here - are proving a talking point. They are located at the Wrawby Street entrances to College Yard and School Court and at the entrances off Old Courts Road.
The aim is to draw people into the town centre, particularly folk approaching from the Old Courts Road municipal car park.
This is Phase One of the project, with more to follow for other courtyards in due course.
Brigg Blog likes the look of the initial four and thinks the full set will make a welcome addition to the street scene.
We don't think the arches are at odds with the Conservation Area containing historic 18th and 19th century buildings.
Following Brigg Blog posting Ken Harrison's pictures of the initial arch in place on College Yard on the day it was unveiled on October 23, people began to comment on social media - some sharing our belief that the arches look good, but others expressing contrary views.
Some people commented that money expended on the arches might have been used to clean up litter and deal with the mess dropped on town centre paving by those pesky pigeons.
However, we've already heard positive reports suggesting that some courtyards containing niche businesses are seeing increased footfall. Whether that's due to the arches or other factors is difficult to say.
As with all new developments, perhaps it's best to allow a decent period of time to elapse before trying to draw a definite conclusion.
We might have to let four seasons elapse - winter spring, summer and autumn - for a unanimous verdict.
Meanwhile, people - including out-of-town visitors - will form their own opinions as they view the full set of arches at close quarters for the first time.
In many cases this will come on Friday, November 29 when up to a couple of thousand folk attend the Christmas lights switch-on, festive fair and late night shopping evening.