The Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust was originally set up in 2010 as a Charitable Company to primarily focus on finding potential uses for the Ice Factory on the Grimsby docks which at one time was the largest ice factory in the world. In recent times, plans have evolved and the Trust has formed a partnership with the Associated British Ports and North East Lincolnshire Council to focus attention not only on the Ice Factory but also on the redevelopment and reuse of the historic Peterson’s Smokehouse on Henderson Street, and the adjacent Building 89 on Wharncliffe Road.
The Trust successfully secured £1m of grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund towards the conservation and restoration of the Peterson’s building and Building 89 to create a fully operating smokehouse with adaptations to allow public access alongside managed offices and a café/meeting space in Building 89 to support both existing and new industries at the Port of Grimsby.
The Architectural Heritage Fund is pleased to further support the Trust with £175,000 Heritage Impact Fund loan to provide working capital throughout the capital delivery phase and in the initial year of operation of this new venture. The completion of this project and identified end use will provide a boost to the local economy by creating jobs and apprenticeships, bring back floor space into use for local businesses and entrepreneurs, and in turn encourage more businesses to be located in the Kasbah, a historic portside area of smoke houses, shops and factories associated with the fishing industry, linking with the Alexandra Dock and the town centre.
Vicky Hartung, Chair of Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust, said:
“We are delighted to have made a start on delivering the Peterson’s Project, and thanks to the Heritage Impact Fund loan, the process should run smoothly. Peterson’s is a key project within the larger context of the regeneration of Grimsby’s historic dock area and we are excited to be a part of the community.”
Matthew Mckeague, CEO of the Architectural Heritage Fund, commented:
“It gives us great pleasure to continue our support and investment in Peterson’s Smokehouse, through the Heritage Impact Fund. The Kasbah is a significant set of historic buildings, embodying local character and which form an important part of the community identity of the town. This project will create much-needed economic and social opportunities for Grimsby's residents and businesses, and we hope it catalyses further investment in the area.”
For more information please visit www.ggift.co.uk and www.thekasbah.co.uk
photo credit: Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust
Editor’s notes
1) The Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. We are the only specialist heritage social investor in the UK. We provide advice, development grants and loans.
2) Photos provided by Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust, credited to Fleet Architects.
3) For media enquiries please contact Oliver Brodrick-Ward, on 020 79250199 / oliver.brodrick-ward@ahfund.org.uk