Cloud over future of two charity shops as result of 'rising operating costs and changing customer habits'

                                   

The shop on St Peter's Avenue in Cleethorpes 

CLARITY is awaited on the future of two charity shops - one in Grimsby, the other in Cleethorpes.

Although it has not yet identified those at risk, the British Heart Foundation has announced proposals to close "around 150" of its  stores over the next two financial years.

It states: "The decision follows a detailed review of our retail estate amid rising operating costs and changing customer habits which mean some of our shops and stores are no longer financially sustainable.

"We have proposed closing around 90 stores by the end of March 2027, and the remainder by March 2028. 

"There is also a proposed reduction in the central teams and functions that support our retail operation. 

"The changes are designed to ensure our retail network remains strong and sustainable, contributing vital funds to power research into cardiovascular disease which causes around one death every three minutes in the UK.

"Our overall financial position remains healthy, with continuing strong performance across fundraising and legacy income."

The statement continues: "We will continue to operate a large national network of shops and online retail channels, including eBay and our website, and will continue to evolve retail operations to reflect changing customer shopping behaviours and donor habits in the years ahead."

Meanwhile, BHF's chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, comments : "Our shops mean much to our colleagues, volunteers and communities across the UK.  

"They are places where people come together to donate, shop and volunteer, helping to make a real difference to lives affected by cardiovascular disease

"We know this will be a difficult time for them and emphasise our deep appreciation and gratitude for all they have done for BHF and the communities they serve."

Supporters will still be able to shop as normal and donate items while affected shops remain open. 

After closures have taken take place, the charity says it will continue to take donations through , donation points, home collection services in some areas, and online post to donate options.

Locations of the shops and stores earmarked for the axe will be released after staff and volunteers have been personally notified.

Things might be a bit cramped this year but the great Armed Forces Day show must go on

                                        

NORTH  East Lincolnshire Council is urging people to plan their traffic and travel arrangements ahead of the Armed Forces Day celebrations in Cleethorpes at the end of this month.

The weekend will start with a 'community day' on Friday 26 June but most of the activities will be spread over the following two days. 

For instance, there will be the following:

* Armed Forces parade through town, from Knoll St to Brighton Slipway then returning up Central Prom on Saturday.

* Flying activity centred on Ross Castle, the service village and displays of military vehicles in Meridian Showground.

* Community Stage at  the Boating Lake to be  active across the weekend

* Big Wheel, will be in the leisure centre car park. 

* Traders will have their pitches on Kingsway, at the Boating Lake and within the Meridian Showground.

Road closures will be as follows: 

* Central Promenade will be closed to all traffic, except emergency vehicles, from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 28 June inclusive. Business access for loading and unloading will be permitted up to 10am, and RNLI / Coastguard access will be maintained at all times from the Brighton Street end.

* North Promenade - bays between Sea Road and Station Approach will be suspended from 0600hrs – 1400hrs on Saturday 27 June. There will be no access to the car park between 1030hrs – 1330hrs on Saturday 27 June.

* Civic Offices car parks will be closed all weekend (from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 28 June inclusive)

* Cleethorpes Town Hall car park will be closed on Saturday 27 June only

* Sea View Street plaza car park will be closed all weekend (from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 28 June inclusive)

* Cleethorpes Leisure Centre - parking will be by  Lincs Inspire permit and Blue badge holders only from Wednesday 24 June to Sunday 28 June.

* Cleethorpes Boating Lake car park will be closed fromFriday 26 June to Sunday 28 June

* Thrunscoe Land car park outside Oriental Express will be open open as normal, but all other areas (including motorhome parking) will be closed between Thursday 25 June and Sunday 28 June.

* Meridian Crafts car park will be closed between Friday 26 June and  Sunday 28 June.

* Marine Walk  will be cosed between 1000hrs – 1400hrs on Saturday 27 June.

All other car parks in and around the resort will be open as usual.

Road closures from  Saturday 27 June (0001hrs) to Sunday 28 June (2359hrs) will be as follows:

* Alexandra Road / High Cliff Road/Kingsway between the junction with Knoll St and the junction with Rowston St.

* Seaview Street – Alexandra Road to Cambridge Street (including New Road).

* No traffic exit from Humber Street or North Street to High Cliff Road for the weekend.

* No access to High Cliff Road/ Kingsway from North North Street, Brighton Street and Humber Street.

* High Cliff Road/ Kingsway from High Cliff Road/ Kingsway from North Street, Brighton Street and Humber Street. 

* Additional closures for the military veterans and vehicles parades between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Saturday June 27.

In addition, NELC says: 

* KNOLL STREET between CAMBRIDGE STREET and ALEXANDRA ROAD will be closed between 1145hrs and 1330hrs 

* SEA ROAD between ALEXANDRA ROAD and CENTRAL PROMENADE will be closed between 1030hrs and 1330hrs 

* NORTH PROMENADE between SEA ROAD and STATION APPROACH - parking will be suspended on both side of the road between 0600hrs and 1430hrs.  In addition, there will be no vehicle access to all of NORTH PROMENADE between 1030hrs and 1330hrs.

* ALEXANDRA ROAD between YARRA ROAD and KNOLL STREET will be closed between 1030hrs and 1330hrs.  Parking will be suspended on both sides of the road between 0600hrs and 1400hrs.

* KINGSWAY between ROWSTON STREET and KINGS ROAD will be closed between 1045hrs and 1245hrs.

* KINGS ROAD between KINGSWAY and CHICHESTER ROAD will be closed between 1045hrs and 1245hrs. 

During the Military vehicle parade there will be no access onto the route from QUEENS PARADE, BRADFORD AVENUE and CROMWELL ROAD between approximately 1045hrs and 1200hrs. Roads will re-open to traffic as soon as it is safe to do so. 

There will be tow away zones in operation over the weekend which will be clearly advertised.

Any vehicle left in the zone, which will be marked by yellow ‘TOW AWAY ZONE’ signs, is liable to be removed by a specialist towing company.

To support the safe passage of the parades and the movement of buses and general traffic around the area over the weekend the following areas of on street parking will be suspended between 0600hrs on Saturday 27 June until 2359hrs on Sunday 28 June:

* ST PETERS AVENUE (western kerb line, entire length between its junction with HIGHGATE and its junction with HIGH STREET)

* ST PETERS AVENUE (eastern kerb line between its junction with ALBERT ROAD and its junction with HIGHGATE)

* KNOLL STREET (northern kerb line between with junction with CAMBRIDGE STREET and its junction with ALEXANDRA ROAD)

* HIGHGATE (northern kerb line between its junction with THRUNSCOE ROAD and its junction with ST PETERS AVENUE)

* TRINITY ROAD (western kerb line between its junction with TAYLORS AVENUE and its junction with SANDRINGHAM ROAD)

* CHICHESTER ROAD (northern kerb line between its junction with ALDRICH ROAD and its junction with BISHOPTHORPE ROAD)

* KINGSWAY (both sides between its junction with CENTRAL PROMENADE and its junction with ROWSTON STREET)

* BRIGHTON STREET (between its junction with HIGH CLIFF ROAD and its junction with SOUTH STREET)

* HUMBER STREET (between its junction with HIGH CLIFF ROAD and its junction with NORTH STREET)

With so many road closures and parking restrictions, use of public transport - or walking - is being highly recommended.

Facelift on the cards for the 'grand old lady' of Grimsby town centre

                                                             

Work expected to start on proposed renovations at Grimsby Town Hall

A NEW roof is in prospect for Grimsby Town Hall.

This a part of a huge renovation project which will also include repairing or replacing drainpipes and guttering plus repointing of brickwork and stone masonry.

A report states: "The proposed works are intended to enhance, restore and maintain the original features of the building by carrying out repairs where possible and replacements of materials beyond repair.  

"The building is currently used as a base for the mayor and for most council meetings. 

"It is also available for special occasions and public events and can accommodate 300 people."  

The document continues: "Access to the roof will be improved as part of this works through the installation of external walkways, ladder systems and guardrail/edge protection systems.

"This will ensure that safe access can be maintained for future inspections or survey works at the rear of the building."

Before the work can start, North East Lincolnshire Council will need to grant itself Listed Building consent, but this is expected to be a formality.

It is hoped the contract will be awarded to a Grimsby-area firm assuming the work is not too specialised.

BBC-TV presenter startles viewers with unflattering remarks about Red Arrows and the King's fingers

                                                                   

The Red Arrows over Cleethorpes in June last year

WOULD it be reasonable to describe the Red Arrows as "a vanity project"?

This was the term used by the presenter, Pete Levy, on BBC TV's regional news programme, Look North on Friday evening.

His controversial assessment came during coverage of where financial cuts might need to made to free up funds for increased spending on defence of the nation.

The presenter must have been in a mood to be controversial that evening because, later in the show, he described the fingers of King Charles, who had visited Grimsby the previous day, as being "sausagey".                                                          

Courting controversy - Peter Levy

Royal Family takes to social media to showcase King Charles' happy visit to Grimsby on Thursday

These photographs are among those posted this week on the Facebook page of the Royal Family in the wake  of the King's visit to Grimsby and Cleethorpes on Thursday. They show how much he enjoyed meeting local people.

                                                                     

                                                          

                                                                       

Planning thumbs-up for redevelopment of former Jungle Zoo site to become padel courts

  

Until it closed, The Jungle Zoo was habitat of parrots, macaws and other colourful creatures

THE planning green light has been given for the site of the former Jungle Zoo site in Cleethorpes to be redeveloped as padel courts.

The zoo closed several years ago since when the buildings have been destroyed by a fire.

Padel is a fast-growing racquet sport sometimes compared to a cross between tennis and squash and usually played in doubles.

As well as outdoor courts, plus a rain canopy, there may be a clubhouse.

Agents for the applicants, Newcastle-based East Coast Padel Ltd, say: "Overall, the proposed development represents a positive and beneficial reuse of the site for leisure purposes.

"It would reinstate an active recreational use, delivering modern, accessible, and much needed sports facilities for the local community, to be delivered by a padel operator with a proven track record. 

"It will make a valuable contribution to the health and wellbeing of residents while enhancing the recreational offer of Cleethorpes and more widely."  

The application was determined  by a senior  North East Lincolnshire Council case officer, Lauren Birkwood, without the need for it to be considered by the planning committee. 

Says she: "Although the canopy will be of a large scale, particularly in terms of height, it would be designed reasonably to ensure the impact on the character and appearance of the area would not be harmful. 

"Associated containers to accommodate a pay station and other facilities would be single storey in height and should not appear dominant.

"Residential properties are limited in the area, with the closest residents being on Bolingbroke Road approximately 165 metres away. 

"It is considered that there is a sufficient distance away to ensure issues such as dominance, overlooking and general noise and disturbance would be minimal. 

"There are commercial premises in the immediate vicinity, including the adjacent restaurant, but  this is detached from the site so general noise and disturbance should  be limited."

One of the conditions of consent is that all  activity areas and associated external lighting shall be restricted to the hours of between 06:00 and 23:00 daily.

Padel being played on a court in Hull

Most of the rubble remains of the aviaries and enclosures have  been cleared

Has he become Grimsby Town FC's newest fan? King Charles III makes his debut trip to Blundell Park

Will he wear at Buckingham Palace? His Majesty receives his Mariners shirt

IT must have been a highlight for King Charles on today's visit to Grimsby and Cleethorpes - being presented with a Grimsby Town FC shirt bearing the words, 'King Charles', and the number, '3'.

The king was evidently  well briefed before his arrival because he made a point of commenting on The Mariners' Carabao Cup giant-killing triumph against Manchester United last August.

On a rainy day, it was noted that His Majesty did not have a royal flunky to carry his umbrella - he held it himself.

Throughout his spell here, which took in the Horizon Youth Centre and the CARE hub, the King was applauded and cheered by residents of all ages (including one 106-year-old) who were genuinely inspired and honoured to welcome him.                                                                        

Glad to be in Grimsby - the King prepares to meet residents

                                                                       

The Court Circular as published in the next day's edition of The Daily Telegraph