A revamped arts centre on the Port of Grimsby is nearing completion, thanks to the help of local contractors.
Run by Unseen Arts CIC, the centre will be home to a pottery workshop, dance space and art studio when finished, also offering aerial classes and digital art workshops. The Community Interest Company are a grassroots creative organisation which launched on the Docks in 2022, with an upstairs workshop in the building being transformed into a vibrant performing arts studio delivering a regular programme of well-attended classes.
When the rest of the building became available, they jumped at the chance to bring the entire building back into use, preserving its historic value while creating a bold, inclusive and sustainable future for culture on the docks.
Last year they were awarded funding to improve and reimagine the space from Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Capital Fund (HAR CF) and regional grants programmes. This was matched with a grant from North East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas (PSiCA).
The funding is supporting the repair and restoration of two connected heritage buildings, which is being undertaken by the team from E.S Rudkin Ltd, who are based in Scartho. The works have been designed by Cleethorpes-based Hodson Architects, and are stabilising the structures, addressing significant rot and water issues, restoring heritage features, and preparing the buildings for long-term community use.
For Natahsa Morley, Co-Founder and Director of Visual Art, and Lynsey Wells, Co-Founder and Director of Performing Arts, this is an historic moment in Unseen Arts’ history.
Natasha said: “This is going to be an incredible development for us and this is going to be a great community space and we can’t wait to hold loads of events here, we’re really excited.
“We’re going to have a great café and stage area as well as the dance studio we previously had upstairs too.” She added: “We’re going to expand this further by incorporating a visual arts studio too and we’ve made everything much more accessible.
“We just want this to be a place the community can come and try something new and explore their creativity.”
Speaking about the location, Lynsey said: “We were really attracted to the heritage and the buildings themselves on the Docks. They’re full of character and hold so many stories.”
However, it isn’t just Grimsby’s heritage the project is helping. With the use of local contractors like builders E.S. Rudkin, it’s also helping businesses based in the area.
Malcolm Rudkin, Director at E.S. Rudkin, said: “This is going to be a really creative area. The Docks itself has got a vision. There’s a dream and it’s wonderful to see that coming to life.
“This will be a wonderful creative, artistic corner that will draw people in from all over the country.”
He added: “On a personal note, I had my first ever job here on Grimsby Docks in 1975 so it’s amazing to come back here at 65 years old and be working on some of these buildings.”
Article and image from NELC.
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