Plans for £20m Freshney Place development in Grimsby to be unveiled at public consultation

The unveiling of a proposed new leisure development costing more than £20m in Grimsby will take place at a public consultation at Freshney Place Shopping Centre next week.

The provisional plans for the £20m development will see a brand new nine-screen cinema and restaurant complex being built as an extension to the shopping centre in the town’s Riverhead.

Therefore, scheme will be known as Freshney Place Riverhead.

The development is also expected to generate at least 100 construction jobs at any one time, as well as up to 250 long-term jobs, together with initial and long-term investment in the local economy.

Maurice Fitzgerald, development director, “This is an exciting time for Freshney Place. We have worked for a couple of years in formulating ideas in partnership with the Council, and the public consultation is our opportunity to obtain the views of local people before finalising the designs to be submitted in a formal planning application.

“The exciting development will house a brand-new cinema, as well as seven new restaurant units which will be home to a host of leading national operators new to Grimsby.

“The project will provide both a boost to the evening economy and a quality offer. Both the Centre owners and proposed tenants have undertaken extensive market research to ensure the proposals meet demand to ensure a successful scheme.”

The consultation will be held in the unit at the corner of Baxtergate and Clayton Walk malls, opposite Next, from 10.30am to 4pm next Friday, 7 April, and from 9.30am to 3pm on Saturday, 8 April.

Mr Fitzgerald added: “We will be displaying plans and designs explaining the proposals and background to the development.

“Representatives from Freshney Place will be on hand to explain and answer any questions. We will be inviting visitors to leave their comments and feedback for consideration as part of the final design for the planning application.”

“We are also pleased to announce an innovative initiative to promote with the main contractors where possible, acknowledging contractual and Health & Safety Executive issues, request that they advertise job opportunities and apprenticeships in local employment centres and media.

“We will also encourage the new tenant occupiers to engage local workers wherever possible.”

With the final plans for the project expected to be submitted by May, Mr Fitzgerald said this consultation was very much the first stage of a lengthy process.

He said: “There will be another formal stage where members of the public will have a chance to comment further, but we envisage the development – if approved - being complete and open approximately 28 months from planning.”