Monthly Archive 25 June 2025

A CALL has gone out for Grimsby to ‘get together’ and look at how a £20m investment into the town can make a positive difference.  

On Monday 30 June, the Grimsby Together project officially relaunches, bringing together community leaders, local organisations and people already working to build a thriving future for the town to help shape how the Plan for Neighbourhoods investment is used.

The money was secured for Grimsby earlier this year, following the Government’s rescoping of the Long-Term Plan for Towns. 

Under the new Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme, the Government has asked successful areas to work with citizens to ensure that ‘together’ we decide where the funds should be spent.

Our Future, has worked extensively with North East Lincolnshire communities, and is leading the next stage of its ‘Grimsby Together’ work

Our Future is asking those Grimsby people who are involved in any way in making their town a better place to join Monday’s launch, at Grimsby Town Hall, to hear more about the funding, how the project will work, and how they can play their part.

Those who have previously been involved in the project have been invited and Our Future is keen to see new voices contribute to the plan too. 

North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “This is about all the people of Grimsby and how they can work together to look at what is happening around the town and who and where would most benefit from funding – whether it is supporting an existing scheme or project, or a completely new idea. We are delighted that the Our Future team has come on board again and look forward to seeing some really good schemes come forward.”

To attend please go to https://linktr.ee/OurFutureNorthEastLincolnshire- external site.  You have until 3pm on Friday to register your interest.

Article and image from NELC.

An updated tender has been released for the construction work for the Government-funded Pier Gardens project in Cleethorpes.

The first tender exercise, issued earlier this year, was paused in May. Lots of questions were received about the scheme, showing a healthy interest from potential tenderers about the project.

As a result, the Council took the decision to revise the tender documents and drawings to refine certain elements and make sure that prices received as a result of the new tender could be matched against each other for evaluation.

The designs show an array of different zones in the Gardens – from a small park for the skate community at the northern end, through water and woodland play zones in the middle to a quieter, more serene and contemplative area towards the Armed Forces Remembrance gardens.

Input from local people has helped to shape the designs and some of the features in the gardens – from the inclusion of open spaces and play equipment to practical things like public foot washes and bicycle repair stations!

The local skate community were also involved in developing the design of the skate park area alongside international specialists, Betong Park, with all sorts of different elements included in the design.

The successful tenderer will be responsible for the overall Pier Gardens renovation works, including the landscaping and planting, as well as creating the different zones across the site and the skate park area at the northern end of the site.

The tender is available on YorTender (yortender.eu-supply.com) reference 99987, title “Pier Gardens Principal Contractor”.

The tender closes on 11 August, and works are expected to start in the Autumn.

Article and image from NELC.

THE future of the last remaining hydrotherapy pool in North East Lincolnshire has been secured thanks to Public Health funding from North East Lincolnshire Council.

Situated at Humberston Park School in Grimsby, the pool provides relief to students with conditions and symptoms that cause chronic pain, relieving pain, relaxing and strengthening muscles, and increasing circulation.

A public appeal for funding to secure the future of the facility had been issued in April this year after trustees said that their funding was running out.

Now, thanks to funding from North East Lincolnshire Council’s Public Health team, the future of the pool has been secured.

Councillor Stan Shreeve, deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and adult social care, said:

“After a recent visit to the school with our Director for Public Health, it was clear that this hydrotherapy pool is a fantastic resource, and one that we cannot afford to lose.

“It’s not often that we are able to step-in in this way to support things like this, but we agreed that the benefit to the community from this pool, and in particular to the children in our area who struggle with very complex needs, means that this is much needed.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to secure its immediate future.”

Gemma Rylatt, Trustee of The Pool, said: “I am amazed by the over whelming support we have received from the local community and to be able to partner with Public Health is something that we have always wanted to do. For them to support our fundraising campaign is fantastic.

“We are also grateful for Councillor Shreeve who brought our campaign to the attention Public Health. The fundraising efforts will continue as we need the pool to be a sustainable resource for the community for many years to come. 

“To be able to reach our target in 8 weeks is astonishing.  We thank The Telegraph for the platform their campaign afforded us.”

The pool is open to bookings from members of the public, organisations and community groups. To find out more about booking the facility, call 01472 590 645 or email office@hpark.org.uk

Article and image from NELC.

Alongside the large regeneration schemes happening in Grimsby town centre, you’ll have seen lots of different things happening on the high street.

New planters have appeared, with seating, so that there are places to sit down while you’re out shopping. The town’s first “living wall” has been installed soon to be followed by artwork above it with more living walls planned for the future.

Anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 10% with initiatives like the Tannoy system deployed to deter cycling along Victoria Street, the Safer Street Ambassadors helping those in need and Days of Action making the town centre a more welcoming and safer place to be.

All of these initiatives have come following suggestions made to the 2025 Group, a small group, being run by the Grimsby Retailers in Partnership (GRiP) set up to consider what could improve the look and feel of Victoria Street and help attract new businesses to the town.

The next target is to try to reduce the number of empty shops in the town centre. The High Street Revival Scheme will be rolled out as a partnership scheme between North East Lincolnshire Council, Grimsby Retailers in Partnership (GRIP) and the 2025 Group initiative, property agents/owners, e-factor, and Sector Support NEL.

The scheme offers the following.

• An opportunity to apply for Capital funding through the Activation and Community Engagement fund to assist with bringing the property back into use.
• Where property owners benefit from building enhancements which make the property more attractive for occupiers, a time limited reduced or escalator rental period could be offered.
• New occupants benefit from the above, plus free dedicated business support package to assist them to be a sustainable business.
• Property agents match potential premises based on the needs of the tenants, saving time and energy researching.

“If you’re looking for a high street presence, this is an ideal scheme,” commented Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council. “The work done so far has really started to change the feel of the town centre, and we now want to reduce the number of empty properties on the high street. Freshney Place has around 95% occupancy levels, but we want to improve the occupancy of other units too.”

Article and image from NELC.

May 2025 has seen lots of changes across Grimsby, particularly. Alongside the regeneration projects there’s a drive to make the town centre a more welcoming place.

If you’ve taken a walk down Victoria Street, you’ll have seen lots of different things happening.

New planters have appeared, with seating, so that there are places to sit down while you’re out shopping, and a “living wall” has been installed soon to be followed by artwork above it.

There has been a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour in the town too with things like the continued use of the tannoy system deployed to deter cycling through the pedestrianised area, and the work of the street marshals. Riverhead Square is also the new home for the monthly farmers’ market complementing Top Town Market next door.

All of these initiatives have come following suggestions made to the 2025 Group, a small group, being run by the Grimsby Retailers in Partnership (GRiP) set up to consider what could improve the look and feel of Victoria Street and help attract new businesses to the town. Watch out for more coming soon!

Project round up: Grimsby

The demolition applications for Abbey Walk Car Park and redundant units on Osborne Street have both been approved. The demolition contracts are close to being awarded, so work should start on these projects in the coming months.

The Top Town Market traders moved into their new home this month at the Riverhead end of Freshney Place. It’s a bright new space for our well-loved traders, and it’s great to see it open to the public. If you’ve not seen it yet, do go along! It’s well worth a visit.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Freshney Place, work is continuing on the demolition of the former market hall.

Refurbishment work to Freshney Place car parks has begun this month, and in mid-May, the team from GMI hosted a visit from Littlecoates Primary School as part of their commitment to give back to the community. Maybe there’s some inspired children as a result!

To keep up to date on what’s happening across all our major projects, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/building-our-future

Article and videos from NELC.

The council and its partner Stagecoach have been named one of the most improved bus services across Yorkshire and Humberside in a recent report.

The National Highways and Transport Network Report details where local services have best improved in every aspect of transport and travel. In respects of North East Lincolnshire, accessing information about transport and the overall bus service have vastly improved.

Other notable areas where North East Lincolnshire are leading the way includes the number of bus stops; reliability of electronic displays; bus fares and how easy it is to get on and off the bus.

However, it’s not only the buses that are on the up, so are passenger numbers. In the past 12 months, there has been almost 200,000 more Concessionary Travel passengers using a bus to get around North East Lincolnshire.

A Concessionary Travel Pass allows those of pensionable age or a certain disability to travel across the borough for free until 11pm and can be applied for by visiting: https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/streets-travel-and-parking/travel-and-public-transport/

It allows greater access to Grimsby Town centre as it undergoes major regeneration. With the new Community Diagnostic Centre and Top Town Market, now is the best time to visit.

These findings build upon a recent study that detailed North East Lincolnshire buses as some of the best in the country, ahead of cities like Manchester and Liverpool.

“We are seeing a positive difference in our buses and public transport,” said Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Infrastructure and Housing.

He added: “I’m proud of how far we’ve come in all these aspects and this is a statement of intention to ensure we provide our residents with the best service possible.

“With Summer coming up, now is the perfect time to take the bus and go visit as much of North East Lincolnshire as you can.”

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director at Stagecoach East Midlands, added: “It is great to see these results that support the continuous development of our services in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council.

“Our team takes great pride in providing services for the local community and so we are immensely proud that they have been acknowledged for providing one of the most improved bus services across Yorkshire and Humberside. “

Article from NELC.