Works starts on major Grimsby town centre regeneration

GMI Construction has started work on one of the largest regeneration projects in Grimsby’s history – the transformation of the town centre’s Freshney Place into a dynamic leisure, retail, food hub and market.

This landmark investment, backed by the Government and North East Lincolnshire Council, aims to revitalise the shopping area in the heart of the port town to secure its long-term economic future.

Appointed principal contractor by the council’s regeneration manager Queensberry, GMI will construct a modern market hall with refreshed façades, featuring internal upgrades, and a new five-screen cinema and adjacent leisure facility, developed as shell-only units providing greater flexibility for tenants.

It will also deliver three commercial units designed for food and beverage operators, a newly designed public square serving as a central focal point, upgraded shopfronts within Market Square, as well as the refurbishment of three existing retail units.

The initial phase involves an internal strip-out followed by the demolition, in summer, of the existing market hall and rooftop car park. There will also be a partial demolition of the former BHS store on Flottergate and several commercial units in Flottergate Mall and the Bullring.

Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Philip Jackson, said: “We’re on a hugely ambitious journey, with significant investment of public funds across our towns and borough. We’re investing in one of the largest schemes this council has ever invested in, and I’m pleased to be working with GMI on this significant contract.

“Our Freshney Place regeneration scheme is, in my firm belief, the most important regeneration project we have seen in North East Lincolnshire. It is key to the future of our town centre – underpinning the other regeneration taking place as well as securing the future of Freshney Place and the 1,700 local jobs it supports.”