Work has started on Abbey Walk car park this week

Work has started this week to dismantle Abbey Walk car park in Grimsby.

The car park was closed in May 2024 following the discovery of structural defects. Water ingress into key structural supports made the car park unsafe to use.

The demolition of the car park was approved in September 2024 to make way for a surface level car park, with foundations designed to allow for additional levels in future years if needed.

Seeing the demolition start, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Cabinet member for highways, said: “We know this is a prominent building in the town centre, but it’s no longer fit for purpose. GBM are a respected demolition company, and will be doing this as quickly, and as safely as possible.

“Last year, we took the time to talk to the artist, Harold Gosney, about the reliefs on the car park, and he advised that the panels were cast in situ, with metal bars running through them, which would likely make removal near impossible without damaging them.

“As a result, we commissioned Lincoln University to do 3D imaging of the sculptures that are available for anyone to download from the Council website. We also have high quality photos of them as a permanent record.”

“When we spoke with Harold last year, he was thrilled with the scans and was relieved to know his art will be preserved digitally for generations to come. He was particularly impressed with the scans, explaining that they even had the grains and textures from where he filed them originally before they were cast and put in place.”

In an update this week, Cllr Swinburn said: “As the work started, the contractors have confirmed that the reliefs do indeed have metal bars running through them, and weigh between one and two tons each.

“Copies of the reliefs on the ground floor have been earmarked, and once the demolition team reach the ground floor, they will be able to see whether it might be possible to save one copy of each of them for permanent preservation.”

For more information about the Abbey Walk project, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/building-our-future.