Heritage-led regeneration on the Port of Grimsby

Since 2017, the Council has been working in partnership with Historic England (HE) and Associated British Ports (ABP) to help bring buildings on the Port of Grimsby back into use.

In October 2017 the Council secured ABP’s agreement for the designation of a Conservation Area covering the historic Kasbah area within the Port, which is described by Historic England as the most important representation of industrial scale fishing in England.

Following the designation of the Conservation Area, a five-year Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme of heritage-led regeneration projects was granted by HE in April 2018 for an area covering the Port, Alexandra Dock, the Town Hall, and the St James/Minster area of Grimsby Town Centre.

Through the HAZ, five-year funding was made available from Historic England through a Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) grant scheme. This, along with North East Lincolnshire Council’s matched funding, has contributed more than £1million so far to help update and renovate 24 buildings (through 17 grants) on the Port of Grimsby so far, including Alfred Enderbys, The Great Escape and others in the same area.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Kasbah is an important place, and growing steadily in terms of the local economy, complementary to the industrial and traditional work based there. It’s wonderful to see life come back into the older buildings, and the port become both an operational one as well as one that is supporting new businesses.”

Due to the success of the first round of funding, the Council was encouraged to apply for a second round to continue the grant scheme for another three years. This has now been approved.

David Walsh, the principal adviser for partnerships at Historic England said: “We are delighted to have been able to support this scheme for another three years, providing funding with NELC through the Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas grants. The restoration and reuse of historic buildings is a key step towards the docks becoming a thriving area once more and we look forward to helping local businesses and community groups grow.”

As part of the wider regeneration programme for this area, the new PSiCA scheme will support additional businesses and not-for-profit community organisations to set up work spaces here. Applicants will again be able to apply for a grant towards eligible works, which are external and structural repair, reinstatement of lost historic features and professional fees.

The overall aim is to continue to stimulate demand in properties on the Port of Grimsby, and in turn, support partners and stakeholders in the wider regeneration of the Kasbah area, improving market conditions to the point that it becomes commercially viable for both landowner ABP, and their leaseholders, to invest in more medium/long-term projects without the need for public funding. 

Expressions of interest for grants have already been received for several potential projects, along with enquiries from others. These are all full refurbishment projects, including the restatement of traditional frontages at a number of buildings on Fish Dock Road. If you have any enquiries about the scheme please contact the Project Manager, Stella Jackson at  HAZ@nelincs.gov.uk.

This scheme will complement other regeneration works on the Port of Grimsby, including the Ice Factory redevelopment, repairs to the iconic dock tower, and a proposed ten-year investment programme.

Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “Associated British Ports is proud to support the PSiCA grant scheme. New life is being breathed into our historic buildings but also preserving the rich heritage of this vibrant, operational port. Together, we’re revitalising the past to inspire a thriving future."

Recent video regarding the expansion of Enderbys on the Port of Grimsby, one of the PSiCA Round 1 projects