Revamp project means Pier Gardens will be closed - starting next Tuesday - for more than a year

                             

Bird's eye view of how part of  revamped Pier Gardens might look (Image: NELC)

PIER Gardens is to be fenced and closed off for 15 months while it undergoes a long-delayed £7.9-million refurbishment.

This was confirmed today by North East Lincolnshire Council.

Following a protacted bidding process, the contract has been awarded to Maylim, a London-based civil engineering firm with special expertise in paving. 

Previous projects undertaken by the company have mostly been in the capital but at least one in Birmingham.

The man in charge in Cleethorpes will be Tom Taylor, who enthuses: "The plans aim to make a beautiful space that people will want to spend time in."

Will there be jobs for local people?

Insists Mr Taylor: "We want to work with the community by creating local employment and businesses opportunities.

"There will also be a series of events to engage the whole community."

The scheme - which will see the loss of some lawns and shrubs to paving - has not been entirely welcomed in Cleethorpes, but NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson says: "It's time for a change."

                                 

An uncertain future beckons for the long-established lawns and shrubs in Pier Gardens