By Town centre transformation a ‘priority’
“A fresh home for Grimsby’s Top Town Market, with a new cinema and leisure offer nearby, remains the priority of a multi-million-pound plan to reinvent the town centre,” a spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council has said.
Last year, the council applied for a £25m government grant, but the council and it’s bid partner Freshney Place were allocated just £17.3m to complete the project.
Doubts soon emerged over the viability of the scheme, with councillors questioning the demand for so many new retail units given how many local shops have closed in recent years.
But it has now been confirmed that a revised plan is set to be presented at a Cabinet meeting next Wednesday.
Plans will reflect the reduced funding, but still include the main elements of the original proposal.
The Cabinet meeting will hear how original plans to create a new purpose-built home for the market fronting Victoria Street remain at the heart of the scheme, as well as establishing a cinema and other leisure space.
The transformation is expected to encompass the former BhS building, Flottergate Mall, Grimsby Top Town Market and Old Market Square.
Speaking last June, Council Leader, Councillor Philip Jackson, said:
“Change is not just desirable to recreate our town centre, it is vital and this is Grimsby’s biggest and best chance to look at what is really required to create a new future.
“We appreciate that to some people it may seem like there have been a number of plans that have not progressed.
“However, if our bid is accepted then this redevelopment has the strongest chance of success as the money is secured from Central Government.
“This is a very important element of a wider town centre improvements that we will be consulting on in the near future.”
A full proposal is still being finalised and will be ready to submit to Government for final approval later this month.
The report tells councillors how they will deliver the required “transformational change”, comprising of a “leisure-led development”.
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