Mesh fencing to be installed on top storey of Freshney Place car park for safety purposes

 

                                                             

The view from the top level of the car park during the now-completed re-paving works

SAFETY fencing is to be installed on the top level of the Freshney Place indoor car park.

Says a North East Lincolnshire Council report: "The works will surround  the entire perimeter to create a form of enclosure for the safety purposes for the public.

"It will be  the form of mesh fencing at a maximum height of approximately 2.4 metres which will sit behind an existing parapet of around 1 metre in height.

"There are some existing railings present which will  remain in situ. 

"The site falls within Grimsby Central Conservation Area and it is in proximity of St James' Church which is a Grade I listed building. 

"However, the proposal has been reviewed by the council's heritage officer who  raised no concerns.

" In addition, Historic England have commented to confirm that they have no comments to make and defer to local conservation advice." 

The report concludes: "Given the minor nature and scale of the proposal, it is not considered to cause any negative impacts in regard to visual amenity, the conservation area or neighbouring listed buildings in this regard."

MP's warning on likely impact of market place pedestrianisation on Cleethorpes fish restaurant

Fears that pedestrianisation scheme could jeopardise  businesses such as Steel's Cornerhouse

PROPOSED pedestrianisation of Cleethorpes Market Place could cost Steel's Cornerhouse fish restaurant at least £150,000 a year in lost trade.

This alert was sounded by Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn in her contribution to a 'Commons debate on the challenges faced by Britain's fish and chip retailers.

She declared: "North East Lincolnshire council plans to pedestrianise Cleethorpes Market Place which the famous Steel's Cornerhouse fish and chip restaurant says could amount to a £150,000 loss in click-and-collect orders alone. 

"Does the hon. Gentleman (John Cooper, Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway) agree that local authorities should be doing all that they can to support our favourite fish and chip shops?"    

Mr Cooper replied: "The hon. Lady makes an important point. 

"We should of course support businesses of all kinds, and pedestrianisation can be a double-edged sword. 

"One of the difficulties is the weather in this country, and there is nothing better than pulling up right outside the shop that you want to go to, so decisions have to be balanced."

Later in the debate, Ms Onn's Labour colleague, Peter Prinsley (MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmark) noted : "Fish and chips is a great British food, but fish and chips first came to Britain with Jewish immigrants from Spain in the 16th century. 

"Cold fried fish was a staple of many Shabbat lunches, including my own grandma’s. 

"The first chippy is credited to Joseph Malin, who added chips in about 1860, in London. 

"What a great idea and what a great immigration story!"

Mr Cooper responded: Staying with history, during the war, fish and chips were deemed so vital to the nation’s morale that Prime Minister Winston Churchill insisted they be exempt from rationing. 

"If the ingredients were available, fish suppers were on the menu and chip shops got extra cooking fat to keep the home friers burning."

The wide-ranging debate, which covered taxation issues as well as fish and energy prices  concluded with a summing up from Dame Angela Eagle who is Minister  for Food Security and Rural Affairs 

Said she: "Fish and chip shops may be small in size, but they embody something much bigger: the value of work, community and pride in British produce. 

"We are backing the fishers and farmers who supply this great British staple, and we are backing the traders who serve it to millions. 

"This Government will always be on the side of the workers who keep our plates full and keep the high streets alive. 

"With the right support, these businesses can thrive, and this iconic part of our national life will be there for generations of Friday night fish and chip suppers in the future."

Valiant performance, but Mariners out of FA Cup following defeat by Premier League Wolves

GRIMSBY Town’s FA Cup dreams are over for another season.

Despite a battling performance at a soggy Blundell Park, the Mariners this afternoon succumbed to a 0-1 defeat against their Premier League opponents, Wolves.

The only goal in the Fourth Round fixture came from Santiago Bueno in the 60th minute.

That's dedication! Enthusiasts set about restoring beach shelter destroyed by wind and tides

Hats off to this group of enthusiasts who spent Saturday working to build a new beach shelter, constructed largely from driftwood, on Cleethorpes' south beach. Because a higher site has been chosen, the hope is that the structure will be less vulnerable to the battering of the strong tides that washed away its predecessor.  

'Rail visitors to Cleethorpes expect to see the beach and pier - not a line of fast food trailers!'

Planning officer says trailer would 'clutter' North Prom

THERE  has been a setback for a trader who has been keen to operate  a trailer, selling  both hot and cold food, on North Promenade in Cleethorpes.

His application to site The Yummy Truck near the railway station has been refused  consent after a senior planner  at North East Lincolnshire Council deemed that it would "cause harm to the character of the area".

The proposal had sparked several objections, some from other food traders who expressed fears that further competition would put their own livelihoods at risk.

In a submission to NELC, one objector wrote: "The promenade already has an extensive range of food and drink permanent establishments and does not require another unit selling hot food or icecream.

"Visitors to Cleethorpes that arrive by train expect to see the beach and pier, not a line of fast food trailers.

In her report, explaining her decision, NELC case officer Bethany Loring writes: "It is felt that the introduction of another concession space, with a trailer of this nature, would create a cluttered feel along this section of North Promenade especially when viewed in conjunction with the existing operators. 

"The site is also close to the Grade II Listed Buildings, associated with the railway station, positioned to the southeast and west. 

"This clutter and intrusion on the open aspect of the promenade is considered harmful to the visual amenity of the area. 

"Whilst the physical area would be relatively limited, the cumulative impact of the introduction of a further concession within this area would be considered detrimental to the character of the area. 

"As such it is not considered that the design of the proposal is acceptable and would cause harm to the character of the area."  

                                                    

North Prom on a wet and windy day earlier this week

It's beginning to look a lot like appeasement! Auditorium agrees to animal rights group's demands

                                                                 

Grimsby Auditorium - is the management fearful of animal rights activists? 

PRESSURE from an animal rights organisation has prompted the Grimsby Auditorium to agree to withdraw the sale of pork-containing products at a show next month.

The touring production of Peppa Pig is due to be staged at the auditorium on March 3 and March 4.

The organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, maintains it is inappropriate to sell pork snacks at an event where pigs are presented as cute and cuddly.

Perhaps fearing the show might be disrupted by activists, the auditorium  management has acceded to the group in the same way as was done last year by organisers of the Chichester Festival.

So far, management at the auditorium and its operators, Lincs Inspire, have been sheepish about commenting on the pork-and Peppa  issue, but say they will be taking the requested action because they want to be "considerate".                                  

The letter sent to the Auditorium by PETA

A scene from the forthcoming production

NELC poised to hike council tax by 2.99 per cent (plus add-on precept) at town hall budget meeting

                                             

Grimsby Town Hall where councillors are likely to approve council tax rise at meeting next week 

HOUSEHOLDERS in North East Lincolnshire face a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent in the forthcoming financial year.

In addition be a two per cent supplementary contribution towards adult social care.

The measures are likely to be rubber-stamped next week at a full council meeting in Grimsby Town Hall.

The increase would have been higher had it not for a pledge from Whitehall that all local authorities will benefit from a 6.1 per cent in grant aid to help pay for services.

A report to the meeting states: "Continued transformation and targeted change are  essential to ensure the council achieves the right outcomes and maintains financial sustainability over the medium term, particularly in adult social care where both demand and complexity are increasing."

The document also carries a note on ongoing capital projects such as redevelopment schemes in Grimsby's Top Town and on Cleethorpes seafront of Freshney Place which, despite Whitehall funding, have required substantial NELC investment.

It insists these are being "kept under regular review to ensure alignment with current priorities and ongoing viability, particularly in relation to corporate financing costs". 

The report concludes: "Despite a range of social, economic, and demand-related challenges, the administration remains focused on achieving financial sustainability by harnessing the area’s economic potential, expanding the local tax base and delivering efficient, affordable public services."