New Business Hive building will create a real buzz in Grimsby Town Centre

THE windows are in, the ground floor is let and there are already five organisations waiting to be the first tenants at Grimsby Town Centre’s showpiece new business hub.

North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, joined E-Factor Managing Director Mark Webb on a visit to the new Business Hive at St James’ House – and with approx. six weeks until a phase one opening, he was delighted with the transformation so far.

Mark said: “This building is coming together and will be, I believe, an iconic building in Grimsby and a good reason why people will want to come to the town centre and take advantage of all the retail and leisure outlets that are going to be here.”

The transformed St James’ House, in St James’ Square, will form a key part of the rebirth of Grimsby’s town centre alongside the Freshney Place Leisure, Foodhall & Market scheme, the new OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, the plans for 130 homes on Alexandra Dock and the opening of a Community Diagnostic Centre in Freshney Place.

Cllr Jackson said: “This is fantastic, and Mark and his colleagues are doing a great job here. This is going to be an asset to the town centre and is part of our overall regeneration plans. The Freshney Place Leisure, Foodhall and Market Scheme is only yards away from here meaning this whole area will be transformed in the next couple of years. I am really excited about this, and the additional footfall that is going to be attracted here.

“If we want to attract new business and industry into the area one of the things people want to see is a thriving town centre, which will create confidence - not just here, but in the surrounding area,” added Cllr Jackson.

North East Lincolnshire Council supported E-Factor’s application for a £1.5m Towns Fund grant towards the complete renovation of the empty building. This has enabled the purchase of the building by E-Factor and for the work to go-ahead.

Phase one, due for a spring opening, includes a glass fronted ground floor café, and separate business space that is being let to the NSPCC for its crucial work with families across North East Lincolnshire. 

Then there’s the building’s second floor, which comprises of offices for 18 small businesses – five have already been let.

The reception, also completed in phase one, is the reception, space of E-Factor employees, and a break-out space with floor to ceiling glass leading outside.

Phase two will then include a first-floor hub and events space for meetings, activities and the E-Factor’s regular business hive gatherings. Boasting more than 300 members, the E-Factor expects this to be extremely busy.

And finally, there’s the top floor ‘penthouse’ office – a space ideal for a small to medium-sized professional services company.  Next to this ‘penthouse’ office there’s an adjoining outdoor space and the vision is to create a rooftop events terrace.