Town Centre Regeneration Project News

Freshney Place Leisure Scheme

Freshney Place Leisure Development: Work Has Officially Begun!

Exciting progress is underway on one of the biggest single investments in Grimsby town centre’s history—the Freshney Place leisure scheme! 

This major development includes a brand-new five-screen Parkway Cinema, a vibrant food hall, and a revitalised market space, all designed to bring new life to the heart of Grimsby.

Construction Updates:

• The steel arches are installed in the old BHS building which will be the new indoor market.
• The concrete foundations have been laid for the cinema 

This ambitious project is a key part of the wider regeneration of Grimsby, complementing other major investments such as the Horizon Youth Zone and new housing developments.

It will create a more attractive, engaging town centre that offers a mix of leisure, shopping, and dining experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Opening scheduled to be the end of 2027 

We’re committed to keeping you updated as construction progresses. 

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to delivering this exciting new chapter for Grimsby town centre!

The future is bright for Grimsby town centre—let’s continue this incredible momentum together.  

St James House - The Hive

St James House - The Hive

St James House, known as The Hive—is a vibrant, mixed-use development has  become a new home for many different small businesses and organisations. 

Situated opposite Grimsby Minster, The Hive is now open and is looking fantastic. 

St James' House, has become a state-of-the-art business hub, injecting fresh energy into Grimsby's town centre. 

This initiative, led by E-Factor, is supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs by providing modern facilities and fostering a collaborative environment.

Key Features of the New Business Hub:

- Ground Floor: A glass-fronted café will offer a welcoming space for both the public and professionals. Additionally, dedicated business space has been leased to the NSPCC, underscoring the building's commitment to community welfare.

- Second Floor: Accommodates 18 small businesses, who are thriving in their new work home.

- First Floor (Phase Two): Plans will see the creation of the Grimsby Conference & Business Centre on the building’s first floor, with work expected to start in late Spring. Seating 200 people, it will have staging and audio-visual facilities with breakout desk space and a smaller boardroom.

The final stage will be the top floor, which will include penthouse business space, and an outdoor area with views over Grimsby towards the Port and Humber.

- Top Floor: A premium 'penthouse' office space is envisioned for a small to medium-sized professional services company. This area will feature an adjoining outdoor terrace, ideal for events and networking.

Supported by a £1.5 million Towns Fund grant, this project is a cornerstone of Grimsby's broader regeneration efforts. 

Watch this video to find out more about this exciting project. 

More updates to come on this project as they are released. 

CARE Community Hub

CARE Community Hub

We’re excited to bring you the latest update on another of Grimsby town centre’s fantastic regeneration projects!

The team at CARE, led by CEO Anne Bickerstaffe, has officially opened its new community hub in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building on Victoria Street at Riverhead Square.

The new hub replaces CARE’s previous base on Hainton Avenue, which had been outgrown, and provides a central, welcoming space for expanded services and support for local people.

The building has now been fully transformed and is open to anyone who may be feeling lonely, facing a difficult time, or simply in need of a friendly, supportive place to sit and talk. Visitors can enjoy a warm, welcoming environment, including a café offering tea and coffee for £1.

The interior of the hub has been thoughtfully designed to feel calm and inviting, made possible through the generosity of William Morris & Co., Morris & Co. and Sanderson, who donated luxury wallpapers, fabrics and paint to help create a space the community can truly feel comfortable in.

This project is a strong example of how previously empty town centre buildings are being brought back into everyday use, supporting a town centre that is not only about shopping, but about people, connection and community.

We will continue to share updates on this and other regeneration projects as we work together to support a welcoming, inclusive future for Grimsby.

Our Big Picture

A Big Step Forward for Grimsby’s Creative Future! 

We’re excited to share that Our Big Picture has secured £332,000 in funding to transform the beautiful Grade II listed Georgian buildings at 17–21 Bethlehem Street into a fully accessible Arts & Heritage Hub for North East Lincolnshire.

This milestone marks a huge win for our community, helping to conserve an iconic part of Grimsby’s history while creating vibrant new spaces where creativity and culture can thrive.

Here’s what’s coming:

Accessible creative spaces for all to enjoy
Essential repair and conservation of the historic building
New homes for creative industries, workshops, exhibitions, and community sessions
A lasting cultural legacy supporting local artists and heritage projects

Since acquiring the building in 2022, Our Big Picture has already engaged over 4,000 people in activities like urban archaeological digs and art sessions and supported 129 artists, including 82 early and mid-career talents.

This has only been possible thanks to the incredible backing from funders like Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Pilgrim Trust, The Foyle Foundation, and North East Lincolnshire Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Alexandra Dock Housing Scheme

Another important regeneration project is taking shape at Alexandra Dock, bringing new homes into Grimsby town centre.

The housing scheme, being delivered by Keepmoat Homes in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, will transform a long-unused brownfield dockside site into a new riverside neighbourhood. The plans include a mix of homes, including affordable housing, alongside green spaces and small commercial units.

This development is part of the wider town centre regeneration programme, helping to bring more people to live in the heart of Grimsby, support local businesses and create a more active, welcoming town centre.

Work is now underway to prepare the site, with construction expected to follow in the next phase.

Horizon Youth Zone

Construction of Horizon Youth Zone is now complete and the doors are officially about to open.

This landmark project marks a major step forward in how Grimsby supports, invests in and creates opportunities for its young people.

Horizon Youth Zone is designed to be a safe, welcoming and inspiring space where young people can feel supported, build confidence and discover what they enjoy.

The Youth Zone offers more than 20 activities, spanning sport, fitness, arts, creativity, education and social spaces. It is a place where young people can develop skills, explore new interests, make friends and simply have fun in a safe, supportive environment.

Horizon Youth Zone is set to become a central hub for youth activity in the town centre, giving young people somewhere positive to go, something constructive to do and people who believe in their potential.

To celebrate opening its doors, Horizon Youth Zone will be hosting a community open day on Friday 14 February, giving local people the chance to step inside, explore the space and see first-hand what the Youth Zone has to offer.

The completed sports hall, now clearly visible from the road, stands as a powerful symbol of the town’s commitment to its future generations.

Alongside this, work continues on the surrounding area, including the river wall and the refurbishment of Migar House, helping to strengthen the wider town centre environment.

This state-of-the-art facility represents a long-term investment in Grimsby’s young people and in the future of the town itself.

For anyone who would like further information, or who is interested in becoming a Patron of Horizon Youth Zone, please contact Fiona Wright on 07714 693536 or Fiona.wright@onsideyouthzones.org. You can also follow Horizon Youth Zone on social media to keep up with the latest updates and activity.

More updates will be shared as Horizon Youth Zone begins this exciting new chapter for Grimsby’s young people.

NHS Community Diagnostic Hub

The new NHS Community Diagnostic Hub at Freshney Place Shopping Centre is now open. 

This project marks a pivotal advancement in local healthcare services.

Some key benefits of the NHS Community Diagnostic Hub:

The hub will provide a range of essential services, including non-obstetric ultrasounds, ECGs, X-rays, and various pathology and physiological tests.

This means improved access to critical health diagnostics right in the town centre.

With the hub's establishment, we anticipate an additional 120,000 visitors to the town centre annually.

This increased footfall is not just a boost for healthcare accessibility but also a potential uplift for local businesses and retail.

The influx of visitors seeking healthcare services at the hub will breathe new life into the area.

This will enhance the overall atmosphere and appeal of our town centre.

The hub's presence in Freshney Place Shopping Centre will encourage visitors to explore and visit nearby shops and eateries, providing a much-needed boost to our local economy.

By bringing essential medical services closer to our residents, the hub underscores our commitment to the well-being and health of our community.

It's a step towards ensuring that quality healthcare is easily accessible to everyone in Grimsby.

Victoria Street Regeneration 

I think we can all agree that Victoria Street, our pedestrianised high street, needed some love and attention.

Thanks to various funding sources, we can now see some real improvements on our pedestrianised high street. 

The first funding boost came from the High Street Accelerator pilot scheme, aimed at improving the town’s future.

A portion of the £237,000 allocated has been spent on Victoria Street.

North East Lincolnshire Council plans have added additional festoon lighting to the street to make it brighter in the evening.

The second pot of funding comes from the central government's Green Spaces Funding. Grimsby has been selected to receive £500,000 to revive Victoria Street and entice residents back to the town centre.

Flowers and plants have been added, and planting around street furniture soften the landscape to create a more welcoming environment. These will be replaced throughout the different seasons. 

North East Lincolnshire Council has secured over £110,000 in development funding to take forward plans to restore and reimagine the former House of Fraser building at 9–29 Victoria Street, a key landmark in Grimsby town centre. Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England will support detailed conservation planning, specialist heritage expertise and community engagement, exploring how the building’s Edwardian heritage could be reflected in future frontage improvements and activity.

The project forms part of the Council’s long-term commitment to heritage-led regeneration, with the aim of fully repairing the building, bringing it back into use, supporting future tenants and creating opportunities for exhibitions and heritage activities that help local people reconnect with the story of Victoria Street and Grimsby’s past, while shaping a town centre we can be proud of for the future.

There is growing momentum behind rejuvenating our town centre, further underlining the commitment to a brighter, more vibrant Victoria Street.

Riverhead Square

The Riverhead Square Project, is now completed. 

The project has dramatically revitalised the existing area, infusing it with an abundance of green spaces and planting.

Enjoy this space and take the opportunity to relax and enjoy your lunch or just take a break in the sunshine.

At the core of the Riverhead Square Project is the creation of a flexible event space, equipped with improved infrastructure.

This space is designed to host a variety of events and activities, becoming a central hub for community gatherings and entertainment.

This project is about creating a delightful, green sanctuary that draws people into our town centre.

It's about building a vibrant, family-friendly destination that appeals to all ages, at any time of the day. 

We believe this will be a lovely space especially in the summertime and a great space for a Christmas artisan markets. 

Proposed Transport Hub

Grimsby is embarking on an ambitious project to build a new Transport Hub in the town centre, designed to improve public transportation access and breathe new life into the area.

This hub will not only serve as a central link for public transport but also contribute to making Grimsby a more vibrant and accessible town for residents and visitors alike.

The hub will be built on a prime 1.6-acre site off Osborne Street, situated behind currently vacant council-owned units, which are scheduled for demolition.

The nearby Garden Street car park will also be utilised to bring this transformative project to life.

This project will:

Centralise Transport Links: The hub will serve as a main point for buses, cycles, and other transport users, providing easy connections to the nearby railway station and streamlining travel across the town.

Consolidated Bus Stops: All town centre bus stops will be brought together in one location, simplifying journeys and making public transport more convenient for everyone.

The new Transport Hub is designed with several ambitious goals in mind:

Increase Public and Active Travel: By making it easier to access public transport and cycle routes, we aim to encourage more people to choose sustainable travel options.

Enhance Grimsby’s Appeal: This hub is part of a broader effort to make Grimsby an attractive place to live and work, supporting both quality of life and economic growth.

Support Net Zero Goals: With an eye on the future, the Transport Hub aligns with Grimsby’s Net Zero ambitions, helping reduce emissions through more efficient and sustainable travel.

Boost the Local Economy: By improving accessibility and footfall, the hub will support local businesses and invigorate the town centre.

Improve Health, Wellbeing, and Safety: With a safe and convenient central hub, NELC are making public transport more accessible while supporting healthier travel choices.

This Transport Hub is a key element of Grimsby’s commitment to sustainable, community-focused development.

We’re thrilled to share this project with you it will make travelling in and out of Grimsby simpler, greener, and better connected than ever before.