If you’ve been to Grimsby port recently, you’ll have seen lots of work going on to help renovate and restore historic buildings.
There are various programmes of work going on, with funding from public and private sources as part of the Grimsby Heritage Action Zone programme.
Building No. 2 on Auckland Road has been revamped, with window repair works, reinstatement of cast iron rainwater goods and new render funded through the Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) programme, which is managed by the Council. Additional interior works have been privately funded to create “Coffee on the Docks” due to open in early December. This space also includes a new studio for local artist, Dale Mackie, who is Associated British Ports (ABP) artist in residence for the port.
Elsewhere, down dock:
Work on the Enderby’s smokehouse building is well underway, with the existing render removed from the gable wall end in order to repair some brickwork. The famous chimney cowls are being cleaned and repaired by specialist contractor, Riflo Engineering.
Work to the Great Escape building, occupied by Creative Start, is progressing well, with scaffolding going up to help install new windows. The iconic building will soon also house a “Recovery café” to help deliver Creative Start’s work with the community.
Work has started on Building 50 on Henderson Street / Brown Street through WE1 Group. The plan is to transform the former Donnelly’s Fish Merchants into offices, storage and workshop for use by their building company, BJB Construction. A PSiCA grant of just over £18K is contributing to the external works, including a full programme of re-pointing with traditional lime mortar.
At building 86, a first phase work is underway through WE1 Group to create studios for the Grimbarians and also Simon Card Jewellery thanks to a contributory grant of just over £19,500 from PSiCA for urgent external repairs. A second phase of works will see timber windows reinstated and a new shop front installed.
Cllr Tom Furneaux, Cabinet member for heritage, said: “The work that’s happening on the docks is fantastic – preserving old buildings and making them fit for use once again. I’m so pleased to see the work taking shape – it’s helping to develop that sense of community on the docks that’s been unique to Grimsby for many years.”
Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director for the Humber ports said: “There is a real buzz of excitement in the Grimsby Kasbah as we see more buildings coming back to life. This historic area was once the beating heart of the Port and we very much hope it will be again.”
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