North East Lincolnshire Council

It’s time to give your views on the look and style of the town centre redevelopment plans.

‘A DIFFERENT cinema for a different audience’.

As people are asked for their views on a redesigned Freshney Place, the owner of the Parkway Entertainment Group has spoken about the new cinema that will open within the development.

Richard Parkes is excited about the Grimsby venture, explaining how it will complement the company’s successful complex in Cleethorpes. As revealed earlier this summer, Parkway will be the anchor leisure tenant when the redevelopment of the western end of Freshney Place takes place.

“Our Cleethorpes cinema is the biggest independent cinema in the country, and is a real fun, family-focussed seaside style offer,” he said.

“What we’re planning for Grimsby is very different and we’re sure there’s an audience for a different choice and style,” added Richard, whose family business was founded by his parents and is now run by himself, his brother and their ‘amazing team’.

| Photo: Leslie Jones Architecture/NELC

Three weeks of public consultation starts today (Monday 26 September from 9am), ahead of plans being finalised for the Freshney Place Market Hall and Leisure Development. Until Sunday 16 October people are being asked to visit www.freshneyplace.co.uk/markethallandleisuredevelopment to view the initial artists’ impressions and give their feedback on the designs.

From Monday 10 October to Sunday 16 October, there will also be a static display in the window of a Freshney Place unit at Market Square, 1-3 Friargare, Grimsby, DN31 1ED (located in front of the Starbucks, facing the Top Town Market internal entrance). For three of those days – Monday 10, Thursday 13, and Saturday 15 October – the unit will be staffed between 10am and 3pm, for people to ask questions and complete the feedback forms.

| Photo: Leslie Jones Architecture/NELC

Meanwhile, at a North East Lincolnshire Council meeting last week Cabinet members formally approved the scheme’s next stage – with actions supported to prepare for a full planning submission. The Cabinet report highlighted again the need for the town centre to diversify and lessen its reliance on retail so it can survive and thrive.

The council, which now owns Freshney Place, has won significant grant monies for the transformation of its western end with the new cinema, more leisure opportunities, and a new Market Hall. A Levelling Up Fund Bid has been submitted to central Government to support the scheme, however pre-secured monies from the Future High Streets Fund could be used if necessary.

| Photo: Leslie Jones Architecture/NELC

Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “We have a unique opportunity here to offer Grimsby Town Centre a new future and that is what we are driving to achieve. People need a good, healthy, and vibrant town centre, which offers day and evening attractions.

“If you look at this project alongside other schemes planned, including the business use of St James’ House, the Horizon OnSide Youth Zone project and new housing in the Alexandra Dock and Garth Lane areas, there is wholescale change planned.”

“We are determined to do our best to create a better environment and future for all – especially our young people in order that they see opportunity here and want to stay and achieve,” he added.

Development manager for the project is Queensberry, a market-leader in urban regeneration schemes. The company’s Senior Development Manager Mike Norris, said: “We are looking forward to engaging with residents and businesses during the consultation period. Each time we do these, we learn something new and it’s important we develop a scheme that is right for Grimsby that reflects the town’s personality.

“We will work closely with the council and the community to restore civic pride and deliver a sustainable long term future for the town.”

North East Lincolnshire has been invited by Government to be part of early discussions on the creation of a new “investment zone”, designed to drive business growth, create jobs and increase wages.

The council is one of 38 areas listed by the Government following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget statement delivered in the Commons this morning.

According to Government, these new investments zones will apply to specific land areas and will have more liberal planning rules to release land and accelerate development.

The proposals could see a cut in taxes for businesses on these sites for the first ten years, with the Chancellor announcing a variety of benefits such as:

• accelerated tax reliefs for structures and buildings
• 100 per cent relief on qualifying investments in plant and machinery used on the sites
• no stamp duty on purchases of land and buildings for commercial or new residential developments
• no business rates on newly occupied business premises for every new employee the business will pay no national insurance on the first £50,000 they earn.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Along with our other bids in to the Levelling Up Fund, the potential benefits for North East Lincolnshire are huge, and would make our industrial sites even more attractive to investors.

“Thanks to the support from Government, we have already invested a huge amount in our business community, and have lots of businesses interested in what we have here. To have the tax benefits on a potential range of sites in North East Lincolnshire as well would be highly desirable for any investing business.

“We are looking forward to having productive discussions with Government in the coming weeks and months to try to secure that Investment Zone status and boost business growth and wages for local people.”

Read more about the Government’s proposals for Investment Zones: The Growth Plan 2022: Investment Zones factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)