By New lease of life for Grimsby’s Ice Factory after listed building application submitted
A listed building application has been submitted to further progress the transformation of Grimsby’s iconic Ice Factory, the Grade II listed building that played a crucial role in the town’s fishing industry.
The recognisable building was nominated by SAVE Britain’s Heritage in 2017 to the Europa Nostra ‘7 Most Endangered in Europe’ list.
Once the largest ice-making factory in the country, it was developed to deliver tonnes of fresh ice to what was then the largest fishing seaport in the world, loading ice onto express trains brimming with fresh fish before leaving directly for Billingsgate Market in London.
Now, the Ice Factory will be developed as part of the ‘wider Grimsby masterplan’, after entrepreneur Tom Shutes announced plans in May 2020 to turn the derelict building into a theatre with a 1,400 capacity.
The theatre would be of ‘national quality’ and would be capable of hosting large-scale events, from musicals, concerts and comedy, to E-sports and conferences.
Shutes acquired the building earlier this year as part of his regeneration plans for the town, through his involvement in the £90 million Grimsby Town deal.
The deal aims to revive industrial areas of Grimsby and give them a ‘new lease of life’.
Tom Shutes said: “The Ice Factory is an iconic building right at the heart of the port estate. It is a privilege to be entrusted with securing the future of this amazing building and re-framing not only the important view of the historic Fish Dock, but giving the site a new, vital role in the future of Grimsby.
“The government’s recent decision to make this one of the Freeport zones opens up the commercial potential even further, making this a critical next step in plans to deliver on the promise of the Town Deal.”
Simon Bird, ABP Humber Director, added: “The sale of the Ice Factory to Tom Shutes marks an exciting milestone in the future of this important building.
“Tom has ambitious plans for the regeneration of the Ice Factory and the listed building consent is the first step to securing the building whilst those plans are developed.
“This project is part of ABP’s wider ambitions for heritage led regeneration in the Port of Grimsby, breathing new economic life into an important conservation area.”
