Light at the end of a long tunnel? Renovation scheme for historic ice factory - and a new hotel next door?

Hope springs eternal! Could a new chapter soon open for derelict heritage building?

COULD the derelict ice factory on Grimsby Docks be refurbished and converted to a conference centre, offices, a 'leisure space' and possibly a restaurant?

This has emerged as a possibility for the Grade II Listed heritage building which has been in a sorry state for many decades.

However, such a project would hinge on successful construction and operation on adjacent land of a proposed  161-bedroom hotel - to be known as The Grimsby Kasbah Hotel - for which a planning application has just been submitted by London-based developers KH 1900 Ltd.

The entrepreneur driving the initiative is understood to be Tom Shutes who was formerly part of the consortium that sought to buy Grimsby Town FC from John Fenty.  

A note from Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd welcomes the proposal as "a catalyst for further development and business in the area", but cautions on conflict with existing traffic movements and hopes there will not be complaints from hotel guests and others about "fish odours".

Also supportive are Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council's heritage officer, Louise Jennings, who notes: "The proposals will retain enough machinery to ensure a coherent story of how the factory worked as part of the end to end ice making process."

Both the ice factory renovation and construction of the hotel will be recommended for  approval at a North East Lincolnshire Council planning meeting on January 3.

Says senior case officer Chery Jarvis: "This proposal represents an exciting and important investment in one of Grimsby's key historic which  has been in a deteriorating condition for many years and remains at serious risk should no action be taken.

"The applicants have worked extensively with key heritage bodies and others to propose a scheme which is both respectful and sympathetic to the heritage significance of the building, but equally one which can function and be successfully delivered."

 * Below are early indications of how the developed site might look based on illustrations submitted to the council by Jon Lowe Heritage.