Go-ahead given to the Grimsby town leisure, food hall and market scheme

“Grimsby town centre is changing. And the feel around the town centre is changing too.”

These are the words of Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council as the decision has been made to continue with one of the largest investments in Grimsby town centre’s history, the Freshney Place leisure scheme and associated new food hall and complementary market, at Full Council.

As the decision was taken to go-ahead with the scheme, Cllr Jackson continues:

“We’ve now, as a Council, made the final decision to bring forward and support the Freshney Place leisure scheme and new food hall and complementary market, a project that will transform the centre of our key town in our borough.

“We’re on a hugely ambitious journey, with significant investment of public funds across our towns and borough.

“We’re investing in one of the largest schemes this council has ever invested in. We believe this is right for the town. 

“In the last seven years, disused and unkempt areas, such as Garth Lane, Riverhead and St James Square have changed the entrance gateways to the town, providing a more attractive area to spend time, with better lighting and CCTV to provide reassurance and security too.

“Partners such as Onside, who are building a Youth Zone on the Haven, and Keepmoat, who will be building housing for local people, are investing in the future of our town centre.

“With developments such as the Freshney Place leisure scheme and the transport hub on the horizon, Grimsby is set to take another leap forward. This is about creating a place people will be proud of, and investors and businesses want to be in. This is about the future of the borough. 

“Put this alongside the work we’re doing to bring more culture, events and festivals into the town centre, and creating safer streets, and you can see there’s been a wholesale change.”

As previously reported, the leisure scheme is due to be constructed using the western end of Freshney Place, the area that is currently the Top Town Market Hall and some units on the Bullring, which will provide a new offering for the people and businesses in Grimsby town centre.

So far, within the proposed scheme, a pre-let agreement is in place with local operator, Parkway Cinema, to bring a new five screen cinema to complement its offering at Cleethorpes.

There is more confidence in the cinema sector, particularly amongst smaller operators who are able to provide a quality experience and to tailor their operations to fit local demographics and demands.

Richard Parkes, owner of Parkway Cinema, said: “We’ve long discussed options for bringing a cinema to Grimsby, and reinventing Freshney Place is precisely the right approach. Town centres are not just about shopping – that doesn’t work anymore. We need to provide more reasons to visit and offer more things to do at more times during the day, and that’s just what we’ve signed up for – to bring that to Grimsby.

“We’ll be a living, breathing presence right in the heart of the town, with a new cinema open to and accessible to everyone alongside a new market hall and food outlets. It’s just part of something that will improve the whole town centre for a new generation, alongside the youth zone and other areas of the town like St James Square and the Riverhead. There’s a lot going on, and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

The development also includes plans for a new, vibrant food hall together with an attached complementary market. This is sited on the area of the former BHS building. According to a report from GlobalData, the leisure industry, like many is always evolving. Although there has been a growth in online shopping, around 75% of all sales are still in person on the high street.

Four additional new leisure, food and beverage, or retail opportunities, including a larger unit to-let are also in the scheme footprint, alongside four refurbished units within Freshney Place, with the return of Starbucks already agreed, and discussions underway with a leading food outlet.

Once the new market hall has been completed within the old BHS building, traders, new and old, will be invited to see the new development and find out about what opportunities will be on offer.

As part of the discussions tonight at Full Council, it was agreed to set up a cross party group of Councillors set up to monitor key regeneration projects in the borough. This will complement the other formal arrangements in terms of the existing Council’s Scrutiny and oversight arrangements.

Work is expected to start on site early in the new year.

Grimsby Town Centre must respond to the challenges of today – and the transformation plans now underway are proof that action is being taken to do just that.

Work has now begun at the Western end of Freshney Place to create a new cinema, leisure, and entertainment space. Regional cinema operator Parkway Entertainment Ltd has already announced its plans for a five-screen complex, and there will be other leisure outlets, along with space for community events. To make way for this change Flottergate Mall has been emptied along with the units that sit just outside the centre in the Bull Ring area.

Confidence in the scheme has been displayed by Parkway’s director, Richard Parkes who has said: “Parkway is delighted that the plans to reinvigorate Freshney Place continue to move ahead. It’s all about bringing unused retail space back to life and bringing people into the town centre.”

Alongside that complex, Grimsby’s Top Town Market will also get a new home and a complete new look – creating a modern venue for people to shop and to enjoy. Between now and then, the market is still very much open with external and internal access via Freshney Place.

This transformation is being brought to life with the help of managing agents Queensberry, and of course the owners of Freshney Place, North East Lincolnshire Council. Grant support has come from the Government’s LUF (Levelling Up Fund), and the Town’s Fund.

In addition to all of the above, a new Community Diagnostics Centre, (CDC) will open in the heart of Freshney Place later this year. The new NHS facility is set to bring thousands of people into the town centre every year as part of a Government drive to provide health care and treatment within communities.

Meanwhile in the immediate vicinity, it is great to see developments that will all support the vibrancy of our town centre, and Freshney Place. Riverhead Square has been redeveloped along with St James’ Square – where the E-Factor is currently transforming the old St James’ House into a great new business hub.

Just across the River Freshney the OnSide Horizon Youth Zone is also taking shape. The national charity OnSide is redeveloping the old West Haven Mills buildings into a state-of-the art facility for young people who will be able to visit for low-cost activities, along with support and help as they look to their futures.

All in all, there’s much to look forward to as we move into the years ahead and we can’t wait to welcome you to our new look town centre and Freshney Place, which stands proud as the largest covered shopping centre in Greater Lincolnshire.