Two well-established Lincoln businesses - Portland Tools and The John Cheatle Group - are relocating from the city-centre to the Pelham Centre where they will have good parking facilities for customers and more space to develop.

"Both these companies that have been part of the fabric of commercial life in Lincoln for many years are moving to the Pelham Centre where they will be better served with vital car parking space and better one level trading areas with room for expansion," said Tom Elkington of Hodgson Elkington, chartered surveyors who are handling the lettings.

Portland Tools a third generation family run business that has been in the tools business since 1949 is moving from Portland Street to Unit One and expects to be trading there by mid-September.

The business, run by David Carter, Anthony Scott and Sheila Picken, has been at the centre of trade and industry supplying a vast range of most types of tools and equipment to county businesses.

The John Cheatle Group, is the UK's largest independent schoolwear retailer with 70 branches throughout the country. It is the owner of Wingads, the meanswear and formal hirewear business which is closing down after trading in Lincoln for 60 years.   

"We are looking forward to providing the car parking facilities we need for our customers and the extra space to locate our Toppers & Tails and the Justin Schoolwear Centre, meanswear and formal hirewear departments all on one floor and which were also on the in the High Street premises.

Once shop fitting is completed the group expects to move into the Pelham Centre in October.