Market Place

The two popular areas (Pier Gardens and Market Place) are set to be rejuvenated, supported by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. North East Lincolnshire Council was awarded £18.4m for the resort, following the development of the 2022 Cleethorpes Masterplan, which was spearheaded by Hemingway Design.

The Cleethorpes Levelling Up Fund projects are progressing, with the latest set of designs for the Market Place available to view below.

Introduction to the Market Place Project

Gillespies has been appointed to prepare design proposals for regenerating the Market Place by North East Lincolnshire Council, as part of the coastal town’s £18m Levelling Up Fund projects. The proposed development aims to re-think the relationship between traffic and pedestrians, enhancing the public realm by creating a safer, more vibrant and sustainable environment for local people, businesses and visitors.

Revitalizing the town is a pressing priority. It is essential to transform the Market Place into a focal point with more space for people and more reasons to linger. This change is expected to bring both economic and social advantages. We aim to explore the potential of the Market Place in collaboration with the local community, various stakeholders and businesses.

2009

In 2009, the Renaissance Charter was launched to gather aspirations for Cleethorpes town centre from local people, businesses and local authority members. One of the pivotal projects was the Market Place, which bridges the seafront and St Peter’s Avenue.

It offers a significant opportunity to establish a high-quality public realm with an emphasis on pedestrians.

Summary

A pedestrian focus with limited access to cars

A proper market selling a wider variety of goods on more days of the week

High quality public realm

Good quality lighting, street furniture and signage

2021

In 2021, the ‘Think Cleethorpes’ public survey was launched, receiving responses from over 2700 residents, business owners and visitors. Respondents would like to see space for alfresco style dining, as well as a regular market /events and more street trees & greenery in Market Place.

2024

In February 2024, a public consultation took place at the Town Hall. It garnered a total of 438 responses, predominantly from local residents of Cleethorpes. All survey data was collected by Questionpro. The public feedback was reviewed in conjunction with the previous two consultations to enhance the public realm.

Summary

About a 60/40 split in favour of creating a public realm scheme.

Parking is a big issue for local business and total removal of all parking wouldn’t be supported. Some form of free short-stay parking is seen as very important to make up for any reduction in parking provision. Almost half of cars surveyed parked in market place all day.

Reducing through traffic was supported.

Traditional design that complements the existing heritage is supported over contemporary design.

Almost a third of respondents use the space as a thoroughfare, although specific events such as Armed Forces Weekend, Scooter Rally and markets are popular.

Almost half of the individuals (46%), make their way to market place by car, whereas 33% prefer to get there on foot.

There is a perception that the space is unsafe during the evening and suffers from anti-social behaviour.

Alfresco dining was equally supported and unsupported. Some people didn’t think alfresco dining was a good idea because current business’ didn’t support this.

Most people supported increasing planting, trees, public artwork and seating.

The second phase of the consultation concluded on Friday 24th June 2024. Since then, there have been detailed discussions with local businesses, drop-in sessions and online engagement for anyone to give their views, as well as group sessions with creative people, young people and other potential users of the spaces.

anyone to give their views, as well as group sessions with creative people, young people and other potential users of the spaces.

Public Engagement

View the summary of the previous Cleethorpes Regeneration – Market Place public engagement (PDF, 2MB)

A public realm that supports improved lifestyle and celebrates heritage:

Rebalancing movement towards active travel
A new green corridor to link St Peters Ave and the seafront
Enhanced safety and comfort
Celebrating heritage and supporting local businesses
Creating an iconic new destination that celebrates the place
Establishing a flexible space for market and pop events to energise the area and support local businesses
Improve lighting to enhance safety
Creating alfresco dining opportunities for current and future restaurants/cafes
Introducing public art to infuse Market Place with a distinct character
Encourage walking and strolling access
Provide a variety of seating options for people to linger longer
Promoting green infrastructure benefits the environment, and people’s well-being, and mitigates wind effects

Designs

Visiting on a mobile?

Please turn your phone on its side for a better look at the latest designs.

Current visualisations for Market Place (March 2025)

Space use scenarios

From weekly markets to annual events such as the Armed Forces Day, the proposals for Market Place offer flexibility to accommodate a wide range of uses. Seating is positioned around a flexible central open space that can be used for markets, events or for spill out space from the surrounding cafes, bars and restaurants. Traffic will be controlled limiting, access to maintenance and emergency vehicles and event set up.

These illustrations and images were produced by third-party companies, so they may have issues with accessibility. If you have any issues, please email [email protected] who can provide you with more details on the proposals.

Changes to parking

After administering a parking survey with the residents of North East Lincolnshire, we know that the Market Place is a popular car parking area for people who are visiting Cleethorpes.

In order to support the change, a new public car park will open behind the Old Vic Public House just a few minutes’ walk from Market Place, and short stay only parking will be introduced in the existing High Street Car Park.

As part of the work to Market Place, we are also looking at parking bays on Short Street, Market Street, Cosgrove Street and Cross Street to make sure there’s the right mix of parking, loading and drop off opportunities to meet business and resident needs. Resident parking permits could also be implemented on the streets that lead into Market Place to make sure residents aren’t displaced.

Next steps

The designs are now progressing to the next stage of work, the full technical design. This then forms the information to be used for the procurement of contractors.