Praise for the ‘Pumpkin Trail’ as it supports uphill Lincoln businesses for a fifth year

Businesses in uphill Lincoln enjoyed a successful Halloween this autumn thanks to a host of activities including Visit Lincoln’s annual Pumpkin Trail.

Michele Sims, Lincoln Visitor Information Centre Manager, said: “We have always taken part in the Pumpkin Trail since the beginning, and it went really well this year. We had really good feedback from people. It was so busy that we ran out of leaflets and people were taking photos of information and downloading the online map.

“There was a great atmosphere and the trail has been a driver to bringing people up from the city centre to the historic area of Lincoln.

“There was a bigger footfall than last year, possibly because of the other events and activities such as Lincoln BIG’s Skeleton Parade and Monster Invasion.

“People already had an expectation of the Pumpkin Trail and themed events and there was definitely an uplift which drove the footfall. There was also an uplift in Halloween themed gifts sales in our Visitor Information Centre shop which was related to the season and the trail.

“The Pumpkin Trail is purposely family orientated, which excited children and it included a quiz. What stuck in my mind was a woman who was visiting, who said she loves bringing her children to Lincoln shopping, but she hadn’t been in this area and the event brough them here and she was wowed by it."

She added: “There was a really great atmosphere for all the events, and I loved the sound of the street performers at the parade which was well received by visitors.

“The Pumpkin Trail adds to the great portfolio of events and activities for local people and visitors.”

The free-to-do trail, which is in its fifth year, featured 25 decorative pumpkins hidden within displays in shop windows from The Strait and continuing up to Newport Arch. Questions were included in the trail, with prizes to be won from participating businesses, and it provided a great way for people to discover Lincoln’s fantastic independent firms.

Nicola Lockwood is the owner of Bells Tea Shop, which took part in the Pumpkin Trail, and she is also the Chair of the Bailgate Area Guild.

She said: “I’ve been involved with the trail since the start. It was an idea that grew from a local business – The Little Pottery Studio. It’s straightforward and simple and a lot of people have been doing it, it’s more than just a trail.

“It was really busy and we saw lots of people and families completing the trail. It was busy in half-term and even busier the week after when neighbouring counties were off school.

“We had leaflets out in the shop which people took away and they did the trail, including some who didn’t know about it before.

“The Strolling Bones arranged by Lincoln BIG was also very popular, and the monsters too. It was nice to have a variety of activities for families to enjoy for free.”

Nicola and Bells Tea Shop are also a partner of Destination Lincolnshire and she added: “It’s important to support destination marketing which benefits us all as they have an overall vision and consistent message to promote the city.

“The team at Destination Lincolnshire have the right skill set to do that.”

Amy Claridge is the Director of The Fabric Quarter and The Artisan Maker in uphill Lincoln and both businesses participated in the Pumpkin Trail.

She said: “We took part in the Pumpkin Trail because I am always very happy to support initiatives organised by Visit Lincoln that add value to our area.”

“The Pumpkin Trail appeared to be very busy and we saw a lot of families counting our fabric pumpkins in the window. They were enjoying the Trail and the Halloween atmosphere in the Bailgate.

“I noticed we had new people coming into the shop who were doing the trail and didn’t know we were here, which is a nice boost. “

Destination Lincolnshire CEO Charlotte Goy said: “It’s the fifth year we’ve done the Pumpkin Trail and it’s as popular as ever. A huge thank you to Holly Christian in our team who took the lead on organising it again with our uphill Lincoln partners.

“The main reason why we do it is to help move people around uphill Lincoln. It allows us to do data capture which helps us build our database for re-marketing. Whilst it’s a free activity, which is really important at the moment, we still get a significant return as we have developed loyalty and relationships with visitors.

“It was originally devised after attending the Bailgate Guild back in 2019 and talking to local businesses. We find working with businesses and our partners so rewarding – they have such great ideas and by working together we can deliver so much more that benefits them and also the city of Lincoln”.