PLANNING GO-AHEAD FOR REVAMP OF FORMER CLUB IN GRIMSBY'S FAMOUS KASBAH AREA

                                                                  

Perfect symmetry - how the building should look after refurbishment

IT'S all change for a former licensed club on Grimsby Docks.

North East Lincolnshire Council has this week  granted planning consent for change of use of TC's on Fish Dock Road from club to offices with additional provision of an  exhibition and meeting space.

Named after a fish merchant, the late Terry Chapman, the TC Club began life in 1984 and was famed for its early opening hours - its licence allowed it to start serving at 6am!

It flourished for some 27 years, catering for thousands of dock workers and merchants with its popular cooked breakfasts, before closing in 2011 since when the premises have been empty.

On completion, the first-floor of the building will serve as the new studio for Hodson Architects, a firm currently operating from the old post office on Yarra Road in Cleethorpes.

The ground floor will become a multi-purpose gallery/exhibition and meeting space.

TC's  is within the area known colloquially as the kasbah - a part of Grimsby rich in fishing heritage.

Says NELC planning case officer Emily Davidson: "The works will enhance both the buildings and its surroundings and serve as a betterment to the character of the area.

"It will undoubtedly make a positive contribution to the regeneration of the kasbah."

Agreement comes from the borough's heritage officer, Louise Jennings, who could scarcely be more enthusiastic.

"This application is overwhelmingly positive, "she says. "The removal of excess clutter on the elevations such as redundant pipes and air-con units will create a much cleaner appearance to the elevations. 

"The application does not explicitly state what the remaining rainwater goods and pipe material will be, but these should all be cast iron, including the hopper if it cannot be retained. 

"This should be secured by condition and further details of these should be supplied in advance of the work being undertaken."

Miss Jennings adds: "The removal of the door and window on the south-east elevation, which clearly are not original is a compromise but acceptable.

"Reinstatement of the window at ground floor level should be wood and should have appropriate glazing bars to match the rest of the fenestration."   

* It is not yet known if the proposed restoration will be affected by this week's llaze which seriously damaged an adjoining property - MTL quality fish curers.

Hodson Architects have tracked down this  photo of how TC's used to look