Lincolnshire Day event showcases Grimsby Docks transformation.

The changing face of Grimsby Docks is being showcased to civic heads and business leaders who are visiting North East Lincolnshire and its Port to mark Lincolnshire Day 2023.

The party, including Greater Lincolnshire Council Leaders, MPs, business representatives, and Lincolnshire’s Lord-Lieutenant, are celebrating the day on Friday, 29 September ahead of Lincolnshire Day itself on Sunday 1 October.

This is the third year that a Greater Lincolnshire authority has hosted Lincolnshire Day celebrations, starting with North Lincolnshire Council at Normanby Hall, in 2021, Lincolnshire County Council at Lincoln Castle in 2022, and North East Lincolnshire Council this year. 

North East Lincolnshire’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Stan Shreeve, welcomed people to the borough. He said: “I am delighted that we can use the opportunity that Lincolnshire Day presents to show our peers and colleagues the work that is happening here, which will benefit both industry and the community. We are extremely proud of the partnership working on a local, regional, and national level that has led to the change we now see happening in and around the Docks.”

The Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr Martin Hill OBE, said: “The Lincolnshire Day Civic Celebration Event is a chance for us to not only celebrate our great county, but to also demonstrate that the invisible lines of local government do not separate us; from the Humber to the Wash we are one Lincolnshire.

“By hosting the event in a different area of the county each year, we’re able to show a diverse range of projects that make our county great. From reaffirming our shared environmental goals, to showcasing our rich heritage and this year, it’s been a pleasure to join other local, civic and political leaders in Grimsby to discover how the Docks area is being regenerated, and the new industries that are thriving in the county.”

And the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Rob Waltham added: “This is the third year we have come together for Lincolnshire Day and I know there are many more to come - it gives us an opportunity to celebrate our history and heritage while also committing to a new future for every community and every resident.

"I was born here, my dad was, and grandparents too - in fact, I'm the seventh generation of my family from Lincolnshire and it means a great deal personally. It is equally important to mark this day in anticipation of the better, brighter future we will all create together.

"From the economic success and opportunity across the whole county, to the many amazing communities and residents, today allows us to celebrate all that is great about Lincolnshire."

Port owners ABP are extremely proud about what is being achieved in Grimsby. Simon Bird, ABP’s Humber Director, said: “I am delighted the political leaders have chosen to come to the Port of Grimsby as part of their Lincolnshire Day event. There is no better place to see exciting business growth for the future. Whether it is the leading role in offshore wind operations the Port plays, the growth in car handling or the inspiring heritage-led regeneration that is taking place in the Kasbah, the Port of Grimsby is playing a significant role in driving economic growth for the area.”

From one of the town’s most stylish, renovated buildings – The Great Escape – to what is the world’s largest offshore wind maintenance hub at Ørsted, invited guests witnessed the transformational journey underway.

They were touring Ørsted’s multi-million-pound East Coast operations and maintenance (O&M) facility, which supports more than 600 high-skilled jobs, and seeing how the Kasbah Conservation Area, which includes surrounding buildings, is being transformed through the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone project.

The tours started and finished at The Great Escape – the transformed Consolidated Fisheries building, which is now a fantastic base to support people in recovery from addiction. 

About Creative Start:

Jon King, Operations Manager at Creative Start, (pictured) said: “Our members are the recovery community of Grimsby and Cleethorpes and they use the opportunities offered to rebuild their lives through a programme of abstinence. The Lincolnshire Day event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase their creativity, along with our local history.  We are able to evidence the inspiration we provide to the community and will draw awareness to the fantastic work our members have been able to achieve when given the right opportunities.”

As its name suggests, the organisation uses creativity to empower people, whether that is through car restoration, painting, jewellery making, hair, massage, makeup, or media. Jon stated: “We are not just about art but creativity in general, our members lead, and we always seek to facilitate their interests. Their skills, passion and ideas are always at the very core of Creative Start.”

With support from North East Lincolnshire Council, Creative Start runs two buildings, ‘The Comeback’ in Abbey Walk, and ‘The Great Escape’.  Work began on the latter five years ago with a large amount initially completed with little funding.  Historic England and NELC more recently provided a grant through the local Heritage Action Zone for external works on the building, including drainage and pointing, and new windows, doors, and fascia.  The Black Gull café area has been funded via a grant from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner and support from Phillips 66 while the community kitchen and new accessible bathroom have been funded by a 20k grant from the Asda Foundation.

Jon said: “The Comeback combines a drop-in service along with a wide range of groups and activities for our members, while the intent at The Great Escape, incorporating the alcohol-free Black Gull, is that it’s more publicly accessible.  It will hopefully give people in recovery the opportunity to be part of different communities, especially as addiction can be a very lonely place.

“The decoration is fantastic and having been completed solely by our members it is something that has given them a huge sense of pride and accomplishment.  The finished result is that of a restored and unique building that is testament to what people are capable of in North East Lincolnshire. We are exceptionally proud of all that our members have achieved.”

The Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy Cllr Hayden Dawkins added: “It is truly fitting that such a venue was chosen for Lincolnshire Day, showing the capabilities of talented people across our region. 

“The combination of heritage grants, an historic location, and the phenomenal skill of people recovering from addiction has produced something truly unique, and something we can all enjoy in the future.”

To find out more about Creative Start, visit www.creativestartcic.org