October 21, 2021 3.49 pm This story is over 29 months old

Slow progress with Grimsby town centre revamp plans

Still in the early design stage one year on
An artist's impression of the new design for Grimsby Town Centre. | Image: NELC

The pace of construction for the new cinema and market hall is causing concern in the council.

The £27million project to rejuvenate Grimsby’s town centre is set for completion in 2025.

Almost one year since North East Lincolnshire was granted money from the Future High Streets Fund, the project is currently in legal and early design phase.

Demolition of the Old Market Place, Bull Ring Lane and the former BHS could begin by late next year if planning permission is given.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Councillor Philip Jackson told a special cabinet meeting it is important to deliver the change quickly.

“This is a complicated project which involves an existing commercial site. It will play an important role in diversifying the offering in town centre, with people coming for leisure rather than just retail,” Councillor Jackson said.

“I am a little concerned about the plan that construction won’t be completed until the first quarter of 2025.

“I like to think we can maintain pressure on this. We need to be seeing progress in town centre as soon as possible, and deliver the redevelopment and footfall that the public is hoping for.

“We will be regularly meeting with officers to ensure that we keep the pressure on.”

The government granted £17million for the regeneration project on Boxing Day 2020. Freshney Place and the council will each contribute an additional £5million.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn said: “It is coming up to first anniversary of the council receiving the funding. People want to see us getting on with it, and I hope we can do that a little bit faster.

“The planning stage isn’t due to start until the second quater of 2022 – could that be brought forward? The council could have moved faster on that while legal agreements were taking place.”

Councillor Callum Procter added: “It is important to see spades in the ground as soon as possible.”

A provisional agreement has been reached with a cinema operator, a Cabinet report says, although they haven’t been revealed yet.

Quarterbridge, a specialist firm in market development, have been brought on board the project.