NELC Chief Executive Rob Walsh to step down after 10 years of outstanding leadership

 

Rob Walsh - a leader characterised by his 'determination and integrity'

THE Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire Council, Rob Walsh, has announced that he is to step down from the role  after 11 years at the helm of the unitary authority.

Following a public service career that has spanned more than three decades and started when he joined the then Cleethorpes Borough Council as a trainee solicitor, Mr Walsh will take early retirement next Spring.

Reflecting on his career journey, he says: "Not in my wildest dreams did I expect to experience the career that followed those early days in Cleethorpes. 

"On January 1, 2014, I became the Chief Executive of this great organisation, in this amazing place.

"The privilege and the responsibility has never been lost on me. 

"There is no greater honour than being Chief Executive in the place you are proud to call home and where your family has grown."

During his tenure as Chief Executive, he has steered the borough through investment, change, challenge and opportunity.

Reflecting on a positive and historic moment, Mr Walsh - who is from a military family - remembers the honour he felt when the borough hosted National Armed Forces Day in 2016. 

"It remains an abiding highlight," he says.

As he prepares for early retirement, Rob also pays tribute to the tremendous amount of people who he has come to know and respect both professionally and personally.

"It really has been a pleasure to know and work with so many professional, dedicated and wonderful people over the years.

"Together we have strived to take our borough forward, fronting up to the challenges and being ambitious about the opportunities. 

"I would like to thank every single person who has joined me on this journey over the last decade and I know that journey will continue."

The Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, has paid his own personal tribute to the man whom he has worked alongside for many years.

"Rob will leave next year with our heartfelt thanks and sincere best wishes for the future. 

"For the last decade he has proved to be a Chief Executive with determination, integrity and a work ethic that has put North East Lincolnshire front and centre on the regional and national stage.

"His personal and professional skills have ensured this borough has attracted an unprecedented level of investment, which has, and will be, significant in overcoming the challenges and grasping the opportunities we face. 

"We go forward with optimism on a local and regional level thanks to the leadership that Rob has provided."

Who will be last customer through doors of soon-to-close Cleethorpes bank ?

                                                     

Sad day - after 2.30pm tomorrow Lloyds Bank will be closed for good (or should that be bad?)

A CHAPTER in the economic life of Cleethorpes will tomorrow turn its last page.

The town's only surviving bank - at the junction of St Peter's Avenue and Elm Road -  is due to close at 2.30pm tomorrow, Thursday December 5.

Lloyds Bank has decided to follow the same path already trodden by HSBC, Barclays and the NatWest which have already shut up shop in Cleethorpes.

When the closure decision was announced in March, Lloyds said:  "Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

"Most customers are now using our mobile app, internet banking or calling us instead.

"That means they are using branches, including the one at Cleethorpes, much less. 

"We are here to help and support you."

Lloyds further revealed that it had 797 customers who regularly used the Cleethorpes branch.

Of these, 94 per cent have been personal customers with six per cent  business users. 

By age breakdown, two per cent are aged under 18; 15 per cent are aged 18 to 34; 24 per cent are aged 35 to 54; 38 per cent are aged 55 to 74; and 21 per cent are aged over 75. 

The property has already been put on the market.

According to the agents, Scotts, the premises  are available for sale, at an asking price of £425,000, or to let with a guide rent of £37,500 per annum.

Above the banking floor, there is 'ancillary' space, though it is not clear to what use, if any, this is made.

The property also benefits from a six-vehicle car park accessed via Elm Road.

If no potential buyer or leasee come in for the building, chances are that it will be put up for auction.

The cash machines will also be withdrawn.

On the plus side, the Lloyds branch in Victoria Street, Grimsby, has been retained. 

Meanwhile, the  only  surviving financial institutions in Cleethorpes are two building societies - the Nationwide and the Nottingham - both on St Peter's Avenue. 

                                            

And the hammer fell . . . frantic auction action as bidders battled to buy fire-gutted Cleethorpes church

                                   

Under the hammer -  the grand old church on Grimsby Road

Going, going, gone!

A new owner has emerged for Beaconthorpe Methodist Church on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes.

The fire-damaged building today sold at auction but only after a flurry of last-ditch bidding.

The online sale had to be extended for 15 minutes such was the intensity of bidding.

In total, there five bidders, but two  (1 and 3) quickly dropped out.

That left bidders 2 and 4 to slug it out for the spoils - or did it?

With seconds to spare, a fifth bidder muscled into the fray to take the spoils with a knock-out bid of £31,000.

The identity of the successful buyer has not been revealed, but it will probably be known soon enough when she or he announces plans for the future of the Grade II Listed building.  

Two bidders setting the pace in auction race to buy blaze-stricken Beaconthorpe Methodist Church

                                                               

Bids for the fire-damaged Beaconthorpe Methodist Church had reached £7,000 as of 9am  today. It has thus met the reserve price. It is understood that, so far, there have been just two bidders. Auction House UK, the firm conducting the sale, is  hoping for more bids - possibly a late flurry - by the deadline of  1.06pm today, Tuesday.  

Is Cleethorpes cinema operator treading water before committing to Freshney Place revamp?

                                                                

The Parkway cinema - a real success story for Cleethorpes but is it having second thoughts about Grimsby? 

JUST when everyone thought Parkway had done a deal to launch  a five-screen cinema in Grimsby, a potential competitor has appeared on the radar.

Without naming Parkway, which runs the popular Cleethorpes multiplex, North East Lincolnshire Council has this week stated: "The cinema operator has again confirmed their enthusiasm for the project."

But for some mystery reason  the authority  then goes on to 'big up'  The Light’ cinema company which has multiplexes in  Addlestone, Banbury, Bolton, Bradford, Cambridge, New Brighton, Redhill, Sheffield, Sittingbourne, Stockport, Thetford, Walsall and Wisbech. 

A report to councillors states: "'The Light' has recently been acquired by a consortium with a large new banking facility.

"This will enable the business to invest £15-million  over the next couple of years with the aim of doubling the size to 26 venues."

It continues: "The emerging trend is for smaller more agile operators to step into the cinema market space. 

"The sector is experiencing a so-called ‘flight to quality’ with customers expecting more from a visit, in terms of experience and also complementary activities. 

"The growth of these smaller multiplex and boutique operators who have gained ticket sales from the dominant players include Everyman, Picture House and Curzon. 

"Rather than the homogenised venues historically offered by the large multiples, these operators are able to tailor their operations to better fit local demographics and demands such as providing live shows, streaming of events and also a space where people may choose to go for a drink without actually entering the screen area."

Whoever the operator (if any), the  cinema proposed for Grimsby would be part of NELC's vision for a Family Entertainment Centre  in a revamped Freshney Place.

This would also include four places to eat and/or drink which would sit alongside shops plus a food hall and fringe market to be accommodated in premises once occupied by the BHS store.

                                              

The council's vision for a revamped Freshney Place

The Grimsby News says: This like a 'twist' from, well, a  movie? If terms with Parkway have indeed been agreed, why is NELC flying the flag for  another cinema group?  Is Parkway perhaps less 'enthusiastic' than is being claimed? Pending greater clarity on its likely neighbours in the  Family Entertainment Centre, is its management  cautious about putting a legally-binding signature to the dotted line. And is the council's  talk of a potential competitor a ruse to force Parkway's hand? It's all a bit of  a mystery - but is that not often the way with NELC and its workings?

Bids as low as £1,000 will be invited for Cleethorpes' fire-damaged Beaconthorpe Methodist Church

                                        

Can a loving new owner be found for once-proud Cleethorpes church?

ONLINE bids as low as £1,000 are to be invited for the fire-ravaged Beaconthorpe Methodist Church which goes up for auction at 1pm tomorrow Monday December 2.

The sale is being handled by Auction House UK which states: "This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to acquire this significant and prominent Grade II Listed former church.

"This site offers huge scope and a wealth of potential, in an excellent location and whilst the property is fire damaged, there is endless opportunity to redevelop and restore the site to one of  prominence."

But if ever there was case of buyer beware, this is it.

Because of its Grade II  Listed status - even as a shell - heritage experts will be keen to insist that the building (as with the ice factory in Grimsby) is not demolished. 

What is more insurance and security costs will  soon rack up.

Bidding is scheduled to close at 1.06pm on Tuesday.

More details from https://online.auctionhouse.co.uk/

                                                             

Let's be honest - it needs a bit of work doing to it

NELC reveals area of Pier Gardens earmarked for a "brilliant" and "unbelievable" skatepark

                                                  

All smiles from Cllr Dawkins and skateboarders after inspecting  the designs

THE skatepark proposed for Pier Gardens will be built at the northern end  - close to Sea Road and where the new fast food eaterie is being built.

This location has been  confirmed by North East Lincolnshire Council whose officials have been in talks with both local skateboarders and a specialist design company,  Betongpark Ltd.

Says Betongpark's Stuart Maclure: "We’ve really enjoyed creating this for the people of Cleethorpes.

"The best bit has been working with the skate community to understand what they wanted and designing something that fits with those aspirations."

Local skateboarder Harry Williamson says he has been impressed by the designs.

"This means everything to us," he enthuses. "The whole thing will just be unbelievable."

With the railway station not far away, it is thought that some some skateboarders will come from afar.

After arriving by train, they will be able to hop aboard their skateboards and weave past the trippers coming in and out of the amusement arcades.

And when they  get hungry, they will be able to look into to the new eaterie next door for a burger or two and fries.

Equally upbeat is NELC's cabinet member for tourism and leisure, Cllr Hayden Dawkins who insists: "This is a brilliant idea - it will be yet another attraction to Cleethorpes for a new community. 

"We want to make sure that Pier Gardens are well used once they’ve been re-modelled, and this is a great way of making that happen".

It is not known how far the proposed skatepark will extend into Pier Gardens, nor the extent, if any,  to which existing lawns and shrubs will be lost.

Also unclear is whether there will be any encroachment into the designated Wildlife Garden, all-year home to many songbirds. 

The council says the  project, which has not yet been costed,  will now be taken forward to full design stage.

                                       

It is not yet known how much, if any, of the Wildlife Garden, will be forfeited to make way for the proposed skatepark