Revised plans for Grimsby town centre at Cabinet next week

A FRESH home for Grimsby’s Top Town Market, with a new cinema and leisure offer nearby, remains the priority of a multi-million-pound plan to reinvent the town centre.

A report and accompanying presentation going to North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, (February 17), details how an offer of £17.3m of Government funding is likely to be invested in amended plans to transform the western end of Victoria Street. The plans will reflect the reduced funding awarded.

The redesigned plans, which include the main elements of the original proposal, are being finalised and will be ready to submit to Government for final approval later this month. The report tells councillors how they will deliver the required ‘transformational change’, comprising of a ‘leisure-led development’.

It was revealed in December that the Council and its bid partner Freshney Place, had been successful in securing £17.3m from the £1b Future High Streets Fund, (FHSF) – a Government programme inviting local authorities to bid for town centre regeneration funding.

The public and private partnership had submitted its initial bid last summer, applying for the maximum amount of £25m to completely transform the area around Victoria Street West encompassing the former BhS building, Flottergate Mall, Grimsby Top Town Market and Old Market Square.

The Cabinet meeting will be told how original plans to create a new purpose-built home for the market fronting Victoria Street remain at the heart of the scheme, as well as establishing a cinema and other leisure space.

As previously reported, both partners are committed to working with nearby businesses, including those trading at the market.

In revealing these ambitious plans last year, the Council and Freshney Place, with Asset Manager Capreon, on behalf of the owners of Freshney Place, described how they wanted to create a different offer for Grimsby Town Centre with a vision focused upon developing an evening economy, increasing leisure activities, and drawing in more visitors with a better experience for the whole community.

ENDS