Alfred Enderby’s iconic smokehouse expansion continues with plans for cookery demonstrations and accessible lift

The smokehouse, first used as a blacksmiths, has been home to the fish curers since 1918. Earlier this year, the first phase of works at an adjacent building were completed, which included a new roof, renovation of original 1947 windows looking out over Royal Dock to the Dock Tower, and a full new system of gutters and downpipes.

Now, a second phase of works is underway which will completely transform the interior of building, known as Building 13, to expand the business.

Building 13 was constructed in 1947 as part of the post-war re-build of this area, the previous buildings have been demolished following bomb damage in World War 2.

It was constructed for the Marconi International Marine Communication Company, Ltd, who continued to use the building into the 1980s. By 1992, however, the full lease was assigned to Kevin Stanfield, who many who worked on the Docks will remember.

He remained in occupation until January 2008, with the building having been largely empty since then, although until recently part of the ground floor was used for storage by Grimsby Cleethorpes Lions Club. 

Alfred Enderby’s owner, Patrick Salmon, is now expanding into the building, which will have access through to the Smokehouse, creating a range of new facilities for his business.

He said: “We’re going to expand the smokehouse, giving us extra processing and office space as well as better mess facilities for our staff.”

Alongside this, he hopes to use the extra space to house cookery demonstrations and workshops, and a lift will be installed to make tours of the smokehouse more accessible.

Expansion has been made possible thanks to three funding streams including PSiCA (Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas), UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) and MMO FaSS (Marine Management Organisation’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “Fish smoking is an important part of Grimsby’s seafood heritage and it’s great to see Enderby’s extending and improving their historic premises on the Port of Grimsby for both business and educational purposes.”

Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of the Humber ports for Associated British Ports, who own and operate the Port of Grimsby, said: “We’re pleased to see a local seafood business, with such strong connections to the location, invest and restore another historic building on the port.

This smokehouse has been a landmark for many years on the Port of Grimsby and to expand and take on a second building to honour that legacy and serve as a hub for education to connect our communities to the rich maritime heritage is wonderful. It’s great that we can support our customers and tenants to grow their businesses.”

The PSiCA grant scheme is joint project between Historic England, North East Lincolnshire Council and Associated British Ports. It is currently closed to applications but will re-open early in 2025. The grant scheme will be open to businesses in the Kasbah Conservation Area on the Port of Grimsby, or organisations that may be interested in moving there. Anyone interested should contact Dr Stella Jackson, Heritage Action Zone Project Manager, at HAZ@nelincs.gov.uk.