Our Changing Town Centre – Opportunity and Challenge

The world around us is shifting faster than ever — from the technology we use to the way we connect with each other. And just as our daily lives are evolving, so too are our high streets.

Across the UK, town centres are moving beyond their traditional role as shopping hubs.

They’re becoming places where people come together to:

🍴 Enjoy food and leisure
🎭 Experience arts, culture and events
💬 Access community support and services
🛍️ Discover independent markets and unique local businesses

Here in Grimsby, we’re already starting to see these changes take shape. From new public spaces and cultural events to major regeneration projects on the horizon, the town centre is steadily transforming into a place with more to offer than retail alone.

The Reality on the Ground

Of course, transformation is rarely straightforward.

Community feedback has reminded us that while new seating and public spaces are designed to bring comfort, greenery, and pride, they can sometimes become a focus for behaviour that makes others feel uncomfortable.

This is part of a much bigger picture: Grimsby, like many towns, faces challenges linked to deprivation and the cost-of-living crisis. These pressures often show up most visibly in the town centre.

We want to acknowledge those concerns openly — not to focus on the negative, but to say that we hear them, and they matter.

Finding the Balance

For our town centre to thrive, we need to find a balance between inclusion and safety. Families, visitors, businesses, and investors all need to feel welcome — but so too do the people who see the town centre as their everyday gathering space.

That’s why regeneration isn’t only about buildings or events. It’s about creating a collaborative approach where design, cultural activity, social support, and security all work together.

Events like those organised by The Culture House show what’s possible — bringing families into town, creating joy, and changing perceptions.

At the same time, we know we need ongoing investment in community support, mental health services, and opportunities that tackle the root causes of hardship.

A View from the 2025 Group

As our town transforms, and the demolition making way for the new leisure scheme in our town centre is well underway, we see new views and feel new hope for what lies ahead.

The wonderful planters and living walls have brought that hope to life with colour and exuberance, and the increasing footfall in Freshney Place, coupled with the reduction in anti-social behaviour, is encouraging for us all.

There is still a way to go. The challenges are significant — physical, social, and legal — and whilst it is tempting to think so, there are no quick fixes or easy solutions.

The 2025 Group, working in partnership with the council, local businesses, and any organisation that wants to be part of the positive future for our town, is committed to tackling these challenges together — and growing a town centre we can all be proud of.

Mark Webb, Board Member, The 2025 Group

Grimsby’s Opportunity

The world looks different today — and it’s changing fast. If we don’t embrace new uses for spaces like Freshney Place and our wider town centre, we risk falling behind while other towns push forward.

Grimsby has a unique opportunity right now: to build a town centre that is not only community-led, but also resilient, safe, and inclusive. A place that reflects who we are, and where we’re going.

And just as AI is no longer optional in how we live and work, re-imagining our town centre is not optional either.

The future is coming — and we have the chance to shape it together.