Plans for pop-up youth club in city centre

A pop-up youth club could return to Lincoln this summer if plans for a temporary installation are approved.

Zest Theatre has submitted a planning application to bring The Zone to City Square from 16th July to 30th August 2025, offering a free, creative space for young people aged 11-18 during the school holidays.

The project follows a successful 12-day pilot in 2024 and is a partnership between Lincoln-based Zest and innovative design firm AirClad. The aim is to tackle the lack of dedicated spaces for young people by providing a welcoming drop-in venue filled with activities and youth support.

The temporary structure includes an XTRL trailer, a 15m² wooden deck, and a 15m² inflatable dome, inflated only during opening hours. The Zone will run Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-7pm. The site will be safely secured overnight using Heras fencing and monitored by city centre CCTV.

Toilets will be available via Cornhill Market and the Waterside Shopping Centre.

Inside, young people will find youth club staples like table tennis, gaming, and chill-out areas, alongside a rotating programme of creative workshops and cultural events led by Youth Arts Workers and local artists.

Zest Theatre Artistic Director Toby Ealden said: “Our pilot last year showed a real need for a space where young people feel welcome, valued and inspired. We’re proud to be bringing The Zone back.”

If approved, The Zone will transform City Square into a vibrant hub for Lincoln’s youth this summer.