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

                                                                             

Frontline supermarket chain in bid to install solar panels on roof of its store in Grimsby

                                       

SAINSBURYS in Grimsby could be the next commercial premises to install solar panels on its roof.

The supermarket chain has submitted a planning application to North East Lincolnshire Council for the installation which would generate renewable energy for the store on Corporation Road.

A note from its agents, Ineco Energy, states: "So far as is practicable, the panels will be sited so as to minimise any effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. 

"The proposal would not unacceptably harm the characteristics of the existing building or the character of its surroundings because the area is commercial in its appearance, set within a built-up area. 

"The proposal would not be prominently visible from the street scene as it is a tall building and, with the solar panels set clear from the external edges, it will not harmfully impact the design of the building and the area. 

"The  panels would be visible from certain heights, but they would not be prominently visible from the public realm or street level." 

The application is expected to be determined later this summer.

Five organisations to share in final £3,263 hand-out before NELC pulls plug on its Winsby Lottery

                                                   

Avocet - emblem of the RSPB whose Grimsby-area  group is one of the last beneficiaries of the Winsby Lottery 

 

FIVE  organisations have each been given a share of £3,263.36 from North East Lincolnshire Council's Winsby Lottery.

These are the last awards because the lottery is being wound up.

The awards are as follows: 

* £1500: 32nd Rainbow Guides

* £500: Harbour Place

* £500: Climb4

* £500: Waltham Windmill Preservation Trust

* £263.26: RSPB Grimsby Local Group

Says NELC: "The groups were randomly selected to help with running costs or ongoing projects."