By Council operation aims to ‘smarten up’ Grimsby town centre
North East Lincolnshire Council is launching a new campaign that aims to fix up rundown buildings in Grimsby town centre through a multi-million-pound transformation.
Focused on the area around the Victoria Street West pedestrian precinct and surrounding streets, NELC is encouraging owners of unkempt and potentially dangerous street-facing properties to make improvements.
The council added that although most property owners take good care of their buildings, a small number of properties are neglected and pose a risk to the wider area.
Problems identified include cracked or missing render, flaking paintwork, shrubs growing in brickwork, missing gutters and drainpipes and vegetation in the gutters and on the roof.
Not only are dilapidated buildings an eyesore, they can also pose a risk to passers-by, harm the value of surrounding properties, and become beacons for criminality and anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “We’re investing millions-of-pounds in giving Grimsby town centre a new start. People want a town centre that’s an attractive, vibrant and healthy place to visit.
“The Council now owns Freshney Place Shopping Centre and we have ambitious plans to transform top town with a new cinema, more leisure opportunities and a new Market Hall.
“Alongside this, we have other projects planned including the business use of St James’ House, new housing in the Alexandra Dock and Garth Lane areas and the Horizon OnSide Youth Zone, which will provide opportunities for thousands of local young people.
“With all the investment we’re attracting, there’s a growing sense of pride in the town and a drive to make long-lasting, positive change for future generations.
“Town centre property owners have a vital role to play and we want them to work with us to make improvements and give people a better quality environment.”
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, added: “I’d like to thank all the property owners and businesses who already take great care of their buildings, they’re setting an example and leading the way.
“We need others to follow suit by taking ownership, being accountable and taking more pride.
“That’s why we’re taking action now to stop these neglected buildings spoiling the area for everyone else.”
The town centre project follows a similar scheme to improve the street scene on the A180 between Riby Square in Grimsby and Suggitt’s Lane in Cleethorpes. That scheme, known as Operation Gateway, saw improvements carried out at 130 buildings in the target area.
