New partnership scheme launched to try to fill vacant properties in the town centre

New planters have appeared, with seating, so that there are places to sit down while you’re out shopping. The town’s first “living wall” has been installed soon to be followed by artwork above it with more living walls planned for the future.

Anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 10% with initiatives like the Tannoy system deployed to deter cycling along Victoria Street, the Safer Street Ambassadors helping those in need and Days of Action making the town centre a more welcoming and safer place to be.

All of these initiatives have come following suggestions made to the 2025 Group, a small group, being run by the Grimsby Retailers in Partnership (GRiP) set up to consider what could improve the look and feel of Victoria Street and help attract new businesses to the town.

The next target is to try to reduce the number of empty shops in the town centre. The High Street Revival Scheme will be rolled out as a partnership scheme between North East Lincolnshire Council, Grimsby Retailers in Partnership (GRIP) and the 2025 Group initiative, property agents/owners, e-factor, and Sector Support NEL.

The scheme offers the following.

• An opportunity to apply for Capital funding through the Activation and Community Engagement fund to assist with bringing the property back into use.
• Where property owners benefit from building enhancements which make the property more attractive for occupiers, a time limited reduced or escalator rental period could be offered.
• New occupants benefit from the above, plus free dedicated business support package to assist them to be a sustainable business.
• Property agents match potential premises based on the needs of the tenants, saving time and energy researching.

“If you’re looking for a high street presence, this is an ideal scheme,” commented Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council. “The work done so far has really started to change the feel of the town centre, and we now want to reduce the number of empty properties on the high street. Freshney Place has around 95% occupancy levels, but we want to improve the occupancy of other units too.”