Planning and design experts will be available on three days this week to talk to visitors about North East Lincolnsholnshie Council plans to transform the western end of the centre.
Between 10am and 3pm on today, Thursday (13 October) and Saturday (15 October) a unit in Market Square, 1-3 Friargate, near the Top Town Market internal entrance will be manned by some of the professionals behind the Freshney Place Market Hall & Leisure Development.
Residents are invited to ask questions, hear about elements of the proposed design, and provide their feedback.
The council, which owns the shopping centre, has won significant grant cash for the transformation of its western end. The leisure development will house a new cinema, with local and regional operator Parkway Entertainment Group coming in as an anchor tenant and pledging to provide a great venue to complement its offer in Cleethorpes.
“What we’re planning for Grimsby is very different and we’re sure there’s an audience for a different choice and style,” said Richard Parkes, whose family business was founded by his parents and is now run by himself, his brother and their team.
Development manager for the project is Queensberry, a market-leader in urban regeneration schemes. The company’s Senior Development Manager Mike Norris is looking forward to hearing the views of residents.
“We are looking forward to engaging with residents and businesses next week. Each time we do these, we learn something new and it’s important we develop a scheme that is right for Grimsby that reflects the town’s personality. We will work closely with the council and the community to restore civic pride and deliver a sustainable long-term future for the town,” he said.
The consultation marks the start of the formal planning process, which will progress over the coming months, with a target to have the scheme considered for approval early next year.
Three weeks of public consultation started on Monday 26 September with people invited to either visit the Freshney Place unit or to join in online at www.freshneyplace.co.uk/markethallandleisuredevelopment– external site The consultation ends on Sunday 16 October.
