Council confident of generating handsome revenue stream with its proposed new Cleethorpes car park

                                                        

Car park behind pub should be a decent money-spinner for council  

THE land behind the recently opened Old Vic pub in Cleethorpes looks set to become a council-run short-stay car park very soon.

The longstanding proposal is set to be signed off by NELC's portfolio holder for transport, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, at a meeting next week.

When the council sold the pub for £430,000 to the Lancashire-based Amber pubs chain, it retained ownership of the car park.

The authority  intends to provide 25 spaces and name it the Victoria car park.

The works will cost about £31,300, but the projection is for the annual revenue to be between £40,000 and £50,000 a year.  

It is understood Amber is also paying the council an annual ground rent of £2,500 for the 99-year lease on the pub.

Elsewhere in Cleethorpes, NELC is planning to make the maximum stay for the existing 53-space car park off High Street for two hours only.

The authority hope the two measures will compensate for the likely loss of car parking in readiness for the forthcoming part-pedestrianisation of the market place.

The proposals will still need to be advertised via Public Notices in the media to allow any interested parties to make  representations if they so wish.

                                       

Motorists seeking to park for longer than two hours will soon have to look elsewhere

New seafood school at Grimsby Institute will provide world-class training and generate career opportunities

                                           

GRIMSBY Institute has a new feather in its cap - or should that be fin on its back?

This month has seen the launch of a UK Seafood School on its main campus at Nuns Corner in Grimsby.

Says a spokesperson: "The new facility will  provide world-class training and development opportunities for those pursuing careers in the seafood sector."

There is state-of-the art demonstration kitchen, a new wet room training space and a redesign of The Samphire restaurant (formerly The Gallery) to include  a dedicated seafood service area. 

These developments aim to equip local students with enhanced practical skills while supporting the long-term growth of Grimsby’s seafood industry.

 Costing £185,000, the seafood school will play a pivotal role in further strengthening Grimsby’s position as a leader in the UK’s seafood industry, providing crucial training and career development pathways for the next generation of professionals.

Enthuses Institute vice-principal Maria Turnbull-Kemp: "I am incredibly proud to see the UK Seafood School come to life here at the Grimsby Institute. 

"It provides a fantastic opportunity for young people, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have, not only on the students, but on the entire seafood industry in the region."

Cleethorpes councillor opts for 'softly, softly' signage outside his popular seafront meeting place

 

Artist's impression of how Willys might look with the less obtrusive sign (visual: Jonathan Hendry Architects)  

PUB landlord and North East Lincolnshire councillor Bill Parkinson is planning to insert more subtle signage outside his pub on Cleethorpes seafront.

In a world where everyone else wants to shout, he prefers to speak quietly with a more discreet sign than the one that currently exists.

Says his architect, Jonathan Hendry:  "The potential impacts of this application and design of proposed signage are minimal in response to the setting of the site and its location within the conservation area.

"The signage proposed will replace an existing sign that is far larger than what is proposed. 

"Its shape and size will be in keeping with the new canopy structure, reducing its impact on the existing building whilst maintaining adequate visual promotion. 

"The proposed signage looks to use a soft white illuminated acrylic box, with black text.

"It is our opinion that the new signage will be in keeping with the existing building's characteristics and will not be a detraction."

The proposal is currently under consideration by planners.

                                                               

The existing signing is hardly garish, but Cllr Parkinson favours something more 'gentle' 

False hope? Talk of direct rail link from Cleethorpes to London seems to have run out of puff

 

Derailed? Hopes of direct trains from Cleethorpes to London have faded

LINGERING hopes  that a direct rail link might be restored between Cleethorpes and London this winter have chug, chug, chugged into the buffers.

Earlier this year, local Conservative MPs Lia Nici and Melanie Onn were confident that they had persuaded ministers to bring back the direct link  to the capital after a 32-year absence.

All being well, the first trains could have been running this December.

But since then there has been a change of Government, and the new rail controllers-in-chief have, according to the specialist media, shunted the prospect into the sidings.

Reportedly there are “timetabling, financial, operational and infrastructure” challenges - and there is no evident  political will  from rail minister Lilian Greenwood, nor anyone else, for them to  be overcome.

The reports will be a bitter disappointment not just for Mr Vickers but also for Grimsby’s MP, Melanie Onn - as well as for all those travellers who would have made use of the service.

Instead, it will be  the same service as ever. A slow train  to Doncaster, followed by a change of platform and a scramble to find a seat on the connection to Kings Cross.

* In another development, NELC planners this week gave the green light for a modular building to be installed at Cleethorpes railway station. This will accommodate a state-of the-art WC for disabled users.

Say farewell to Robin Hood! Building society with branch in Cleethorpes decides to show him red card

                                          

IT'S all change at the Nottingham Building Society which has a long-established branch on St Peter's Avenue in Cleethorpes.

It has decided to ditch its logo of Robin Hood in favour of one which it believes to be more dynamic.

Says Head of Customer Service Charlotte Symonds: "Over the coming weeks and months, our customers will  spot fresh colours and a bold new look. 

"In addition, as we are proud to be a building society, we have brought that back into our name, too. "

Along with Lloyds Bank and the Nationwide Building Society, NBS is one of only three surviving financial institutions in Cleethorpes - and Lloyds is set to close its premises at the end of the year. 

Council planners give blessing for urgent repairs to brickwork of blaze-damaged Cleethorpes church

It was in October last year that a blaze ripped through the fabric of the precious landmark building

THE go-ahead was today given for urgent repairs to walls and window openings at the fire-ravaged Beaconthorpe Methodist Church in Cleethorpes.

These are deemed essential because of the extent of damage caused when a blaze ripped through the building on October 5 last year.

The roof could not be saved and severe cracking was caused to much of the brickwork.

In addition, the stone framing of an arched window is severely displaced and likely to fall in if not removed.

After noting the comments of architectural experts, senior North East Lincolnshire Council planning case officer Jonathan Cadd has granted Listing Building Consent for the repairs to proceed subject to appropriate replacement bricks and mortar being used.

Ultimately, it is the intention of Grimsby man David Beard for the property, which has long ceased being used for worship, to be converted to up to six apartments for which he has already secured planning permission.

                                     

Aspirational. Above and below are images of an interior designer's concept for how the inside of the church might look if converted to apartments. 

Life after Leading Labels and Pavers - Cleethorpes shop expected to re-open later this month

High hopes that Meridian Point shop will re-open with new tenants as soon as next week 

THE vacant Cleethorpes shop that formerly accommodated Leading Labels and Pavers Shoes is expected to re-open next week.

Word is that will be an independently-owned outlet for designer wear and will trade under the name of  Meridian Labels.

The provisional opening date is next Monday October 14.

Pavers Shoes closed in March this year and Leading Labels in August.

Both pulled out of Unit 2b Meridian Point abruptly with no announcement to customers but thought to be because of disagreements with the landlord.

Since then there has been speculation about the future occupants, with residents suggesting retailers they would  favour - among  them  being M&S Food and Dunelm.

It is not known if Meridian Labels will occupy the whole of the premises or if they might decide to share it with another enterprise.

Also unknown is if a fashion celebrity, such as Victoria Beckham, might be invited to cut the ribbon on October 14.

                                          

A revealing peek through the front door of the empty shop