Uncertain future for Cleethorpes development projects as entrepreneur is declared bankrupt

                                                                   

Ming Yeung - financial woes

A PROPERTY development entrepreneur with significant interests in Grimsby and Cleethorpes has tumbled into a financial black hole.

It has emerged that Sze Ming Yeung, of Formby, near Liverpool, was declared bankrupt earlier this summer.

Mr Yeung, who was 58 last  Monday,  was the driving force behind two residential developments - one on the site of the former frozen food factory on Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, and the other on Hewitts Avenue almost opposite the entrance to the Tesco Extra supermarket in Cleethorpes.

The latter, known as Strawberry Fields, is only partially complete after the workforce reportedly walked off  site after not having been paid.

But Mr Yeung's dream project was to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park  in Cleethorpes.

His initial concept was for it to be the northern Lincolnshire equivalent of  Centre Parcs, but this was later modified to become a 272-lodge holiday park with two hotels, shops, a garden centre and a Lidl supermarket.

However, he underestimated the multiple challenges involved in securing planning consent from North East Lincolnshire Council, and the project has, for several years,  been snarled up in red tape involving flood risk, highways access and other issues.

In the meantime, Mr Yeung's other property ventures in Liverpool and elsewhere have faltered, and several of his companies have collapsed into receivership.

Mr Yeung has attributed many - if not most - of his difficulties to the impact of Covid.

The Pleasure Island revamp project is a joint venture between Lidl UK, local man Adrian Smith and Fab 2 Ltd whose director is former model Kristine Cudova who is Mr Yeung's girlfriend. 

There has been no indication that any member of the consortium might decide to wash their hands of the venture which is being processed by leading planning agents Lichfields.

The petition for bankruptcy  was filed as far back as  December 2023 by  Jeckz Investment Ltd, J&L Holdings and at least one other creditor company.

The matter is now understood to be in the hands of  Griffins, a firm specialising in insolvency, restructuring and litigation.

                                     

The announcement that was published in the London Gazette

No official word from Man U, but it seems unlikely that Premier League will seek Carabao Cup replay

                                        

IT seems  unlikely that Manchester United FC will seek a replay with Grimsby Town FC after it emerged that the Mariners fielded an ineligible player on their way to last Wednesday's  shock Carabao Cup victory  at Blundell Park.

Alternatively, Man U could also ask to be awarded a place in the next round (away at Sheffield Wednesday) after Town's inadvertent breach of the competition's regulations.

Instead, the English Football League fined Town £20,000, with £10,000 of that amount suspended until the end of the current season.

Manchester United FC have not yet commented on their official website, but there has been speculative comment in the Manchester Evening News newspaper.

One reader wrote: "Grimsby should be dumped out immediately. There are rules in place for a reason. I would expect it to happen to United if they had fielded a player not eligible."

Agreed another: "You can be certain had it been the other way around and United had  fielded an ineligible player the Press and every fan of football would be clambering for United to be chucked out and Grimsby put in their place."

A third wrote: "I not not a Utd fan, but rules are there for a reason. Break them and there will be consequences. It is the only way that clubs will learn."

It is arguable that a replay might suit Town more than United. They would be assured of another money-spinning fixture with every possibility of repeating the heroics of last week.  

But most Manchester Evening News readers  seem content to overlook the breach and move on

One wrote: "For goodness sake! Appealing? Have some  self-respect ."

Another chipped in: "Not only did Grimsby fully deserve their victory on the night, but the player who was not eligible came on as a sub and  actually missed his penalty in the shoot-out, so he hardly influenced the result. Good luck against Sheffield Wednesday in the next round, Grimsby."

Said a third reader: "The last thing we need is a replay against Grimsby - one banana skin was enough thank you very much!"

An 'Legionnaire' commented: "We were outplayed for 70 minutes, Grimsby were the better team on the night and we deserved to go out. I wish Grimsby good luck in the next round. If we have any integrity and morals we will not even consider an appeal."

The most surprising suggestion was from a reader called 'Polly22' who urged: "Pay the fine for them, United. Show what a classy club you are!"

Town fined for fielding ineligible player In Man U match - but avoid expulsion from Carabao Cup

                                                                   

GRIMSBY Town FC have today been fined £20,000 for fielding an ineligible player  against Manchester United in last week's Round Two Carabao Cup match with Manchester United.

It could have been far worse - the club could have been evicted from the competition in favour of the club they defeated.

The board of the English Football League - which also serves as  the management committee of the Carabao Cup - said £10,000 of the fine would be suspended until the end of the current season.  

The EFL has explained the Mariners'  breach of the regulations thus: 

"The circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 12:01 pm on the day before the fixture i.e. shortly after the 12:00 pm deadline required in accordance with the 2025/26 competition rules.

"The club self-reported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completed.

"Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions taken in respect of offences in the competition, the board determined that the issuing of a fine followed precedent.

"The board further noted the club’s non-compliance was not deliberate, with no intention to deceive or mislead. 

"The club has since implemented several actions to prevent a similar occurrence in the future."

Town will be liable for the suspended sum of £10,000, if they again field an ineligible player in any league competition between now and the end of the current season.

What next for Beaconthorpe church after its fire-ravaged shell fails to sell at auction?

The fire-damaged Beaconthorpe Methodist Church on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, failed to sell at auction today. Agents Pugh and Co say it is now available for £40,000.

 

Bidders will have to get their skates on if they want to bid for fire-damaged chuch

                                   

What am I bid? The Grimsby Road church

THE fire-ravaged Beaconthorpe Methodist Church in Cleethorpes could have new owners by the end of this week.

The building - or rather the shell of the building - is going under the hammer online with property auctions specialists Pugh.

The window for bidding is short - starting at noon on Tuesday and ending at about the same time the following day.

Pugh have set a provisional guide price of £35,000.

* When the Grade 2 Listed property went under the hammer in December last year, it sold for £31,000.

Welcome to Cambridge Green! Full steam ahead on 318-homes project at former Western School site

Show homes at the site of the former secondary school 

THE first of more than 300 houses have now been built on the former Western School site in Grimsby.

The site, now known as Cambridge Green, has three completed show home which opened earlier this year and have already seen interest from potential buyers.

Developer Keepmoat is regenerating the 22.9-acre brownfield site with 318 properties, of various sizes, along with affordable housing and care dwellings for vulnerable older residents.

Prices start at £184,995.

The former school site was closed more than a decade ago due to falling numbers and an over-provision of places, with pupils reallocated to other schools in the area.

The total investment, including grant funding, is put at £65-million.

More information about the development is at:  www.keepmoat.com/cambridge-green-grimsby

                                                             

Deadline looms for firms seeking to transform historic Pier Gardens into 'something-for-everyone' park

                                                

A doubtful future beckons for the lawns and shrubs in Pier Gardens

FIRMS wanting to redevelop Pier Gardens in Cleethorpes have until noon on Wednesday September 10 to submit their bids.

The deadline has regularly been put back while the scheme has undergone numerous tweaks, but this could be the last one or the project risks losing its credibility.

A main feature - one certain to be popular with many teenage boys (though perhaps less so with girls)  - will be a skateboard park on the corner of Sea Road and Alexandra Road.

Also likely to figure prominently are an illuminated steel artwork display of the letters  C.L.E.E - so people will be left in no doubt where they are. 

It seems there might also be a "clocktower/pavilion timber-framed structure with steel supports,  and integrated clock mechanisms".

And a water attraction and kiddies' play area are  also being mooted.

But there are many questions - for instance, the extent, if any, to which soil will be removed  to flatten the gardens' existing heavy contours and the destination of any shrubs earmarked for removal.

After scrutinising any bids and awarding the contract - for which the budget is £5.85-million - North East Lincolnshire want works to start on October 20 and to be completed by about the same date next year.

NELC's briefing notes to potential bidders states: "The scheme for this 1.2-hectare linear park  is to  re-develop this area of land in order to improve the space. 

"Once complete, Pier Gardens will provide a range of activities for all age groups, ranging from passive to interactive. 

"These activities are accessible for all abilities and at all times of the year and cater for the needs of the community in addition to attracting visitors."

Controversially, NELC has absolved itself of any need to seek planning permission before proceeding.

Some see this as  regrettable because it has prevented  interested individuals or organisations to express comment on the council planning pages.

It is not known, for instance,  if there has been an ecological impact assessment by an independent consultant or if  English Heritage has made any formal submission on a site with an important historic legacy.

Also missing from the public debate are any comments  by the Environment Agency (about flood risk), by the police (about potential crime and vandalism)  and by the Health and Safety Executive (on water safety).

Once works start, it is likely that the whole of the gardens will be surrounded by hoarding for a year as already exists on the adjacent Sea Road  site earmarked for an amenity building.

* One firm thought to be considering bidding for the works is Hull-based PBS Construction Ltd which is familiar with Cleethorpes having carried out public realms works in the town in previous years. 

                                          

Pier Gardens in the 1960s when the emphasis was on floral colour