GUESTS at last night’s 2025 Group get-together put their arms in the air for GY28 – Grimsby’s bid to be crowned the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028.
People from business, the arts, culture & heritage, and community groups & organisations were at Grimsby Town Hall for a regeneration ‘2025 Group’ special when they heard just what had been achieved in the town since the launch of the 2020 town centre ‘Masterplan’.
The initial Masterplan, released in 2020 after major public consultation, shaped the regeneration that we currently see taking place now. Chair for the evening, Mark Webb, reeled off a string of achievements including:
- The new Riverhead Square, which held its first Christmas market in 2025;
- The OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, which already has 2,000 members (Horizon is a main GY28 supporter);
- The CDC (Community Diagnostic Hub) in Freshney Place;
- The new Alexandra Dock Housing site with 120 homes being built;
- The Freshney Place Leisure and Food Hall Scheme;
- The plans for a new Transport Hub.
Mark also highlighted his own E-Factor’s new Business Hive. Developed in the redundant St James’ House with the support of Towns Fund monies, all its 18 office spaces are now full, and further redevelopment is going well.
He further introduced individual presentations promoting:
- The Grimsby and Cleethorpes LOVE events, taking place on March 21 & 28 – Discover North East Lincolnshire | Love Grimsby 2026 – Discover North East Lincolnshire and Discover North East Lincolnshire | Love Cleethorpes 2026 – Discover North East Lincolnshire
- The launch, just yesterday, of a consultation to update the 2020 Grimsby Masterplan – Help us shape the next chapter of Grimsby’s Town Centre transformation | NELC
- The latest on the council-owned former House of Fraser building – as negotiations to re-let the building continue with a retailer, who has confirmed their interest, the council has led a successful bid for heritage funding to help return the Victoria Street frontage to its former glory – Grants awarded to look at how the former House of Fraser building could be improved in the future | NELC
- The spectacular spring event at Grimsby Minister – The Culture House and Our Future Starts Here have secured HELIOS by Luke Jerram. Here comes the Sun will run from 9 April to 4 May, supported by headline sponsor Ørsted – more details and to book free tickets The Culture House and Our Future Starts Here present HELIOS by Luke Jerram Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite
And finally, details were outlined on how everyone can support Grimsby’s Town of Culture bid, GY28 – GY28 – UK Town of Culture | NELC
After hearing a brief rundown of what is happening the whole audience got together to show their support!
Marketing and Communications professional and long-time supporter of ‘all things amazing in Grimsby, Jose Davies, gave GY28 her backing, saying: “I think we should definitely become the Town of Culture because we have such a wide history and an amazing community who love this town.”
After the meeting, North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “What a fantastic couple of hours – and an opportunity to reflect on the vast amount of work that has, and is, being achieved in the transformation of our town centre. As a council, we will continue to work hard and with determination to achieve the vision and ambition we have – at that includes showing everyone just why Grimsby should be the UK’s very first Town of Culture.”
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