Clarks, the much-loved high street brand will re-open in Grimsby this week in Freshney Place. Council leader and regeneration lead Cllr Philip Jackson met members of the Clarks team with Amanda Austin, Freshney Place Centre Director, ahead of the opening on August 1st.
Cllr Philip Jackson said: “I am delighted to hear that Clarks is returning to Freshney Place. Once more we are bucking the trend in seeing a major retailer return to Grimsby. The centre will continue to grow as our own projects and those of our partners – which we have supported – are completed.
“I also welcome the work that is done by us, the police and our partners in creating a safer place in and around the town centre. The monthly days of action, the introduction of town centre ambassadors and improved CCTV will all help to attract more people into a welcoming town centre,” he added.
A Clarks spokesperson added: “Clarks is delighted to be opening a new store in Grimsby. Freshney Place is a thriving shopping centre with many great brands, Clarks is looking forward to joining that community and serving its customers in the town.”
The store is located on Friargate near to Segal’s Jewellers and will stock a full range of shoe trends and footwear styles, catering for children’s, women’s and men’s footwear. It will also be offering its traditional shoe fitting services for children before they head back to school.
Freshney Place has experienced something of a renaissance since it announced a successful application for a £20m LUF Round 2 bid from Central Government, which is being invested in a new market hall and leisure scheme. In the last year it has attracted investment from national brands such as New Look, One Beyond and Vision Express with a store refit.
Amanda Austin, centre director at Freshney Place comments: “Clarks is a firm favourite with our customers, so we’re thrilled to see them return to Freshney Place. They are one of the most established high street brands and their decision to reinvest in Freshney Place speaks volumes.”
Owned by North East Lincolnshire Council since August 2022, Freshney Place is the largest undercover shopping centre in Lincolnshire with more than 1,700 full and part time local employees. It attracts a footfall of around 125,000 every week.
In addition, the creation of a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) within the centre – which is due to open in the autumn – is set to bring thousands more people into the town centre every year.
The transformation of the redundant St James’ House into an E-Factor Business Hub will provide a further boost, along with the OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, which is due to open in 2025.
Picture shows: The Freshney Place Clarks team gearing up for opening day this Thursday, (August 1), with the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Cllr Philip Jackson (fourth left) and Freshney Place Centre Director, Amanda Austin (third left). The team (from left) James Hancock, manager Amanda Elwis, Lesley Dixon, sales and service manager Viv Alcock and Lesley Hilton. The team are getting back together with four of them having worked at the previous Clarks store in Freshney Place. Lesley used to work for Clarks in Cleethorpes.
ABOUT FRESHNEY PLACE
Freshney Place is Lincolnshire’s largest covered shopping centre, constituting approximately 60% of Grimsby town centre’s retail offering. It has 67 occupied units covering both hugely popular high street brands, independent boutiques, several cafés as well as a dedicated soft play. It also accommodates the Top Town Market.
The shopping centre welcomes an average of 125,000 visitors each week and supports 1,700 full and part time jobs in the area.
Freshney Place’s western end will undergo significant transformation in the next three years, with support from a £20m LUF Round 2 bid from Central Government, submitted by centre owners North East Lincolnshire Council and awarded in Autumn 2023. A new cinema, market hall and leisure and food venues are being developed.
Share this article