Horizon Youth Zone hub completes build

A youth development project in Grimsby is nearing its next milestone as construction work finishes on a new community facility.

Hobson & Porter has completed the build phase of Horizon Youth Zone, an £11.5 million development set to provide a wide range of activities and support for young people in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire. 

Internal fit-out work is now underway, with local young people helping shape the design and artwork through the Young People’s Development Group.

The project involved the restoration and repurposing of several Grade II-listed 19th century maltings and grain store buildings, as well as the complex rebuild of a riverside structure using a pontoon to access the River Freshney wall. 

Alongside the heritage refurbishment, the contractor has delivered a new sports hall and an outdoor multi-use games area, complemented by facilities including a climbing wall, maker zone, music studio, arts space, fitness suite and performing arts room.

Joe Booth, preconstruction and business development director from Hobson & Porter, said: “There’s no doubt this has been a hugely challenging and complex project. 

“There were new build aspects, refurbishment works, delicate conservation phases, heritage considerations, major repurposing, river works and highway improvements, which all had to be balanced and carefully managed by our dedicated team and supply chain. 

“However, it’s been a very rewarding project for everyone involved. 

“As well as giving a disused site and several major derelict buildings a completely new life, the whole construction team knows what it means for young people in and around Grimsby and the lasting impact it will have.

“We’re therefore delighted to complete work and hand the project over to the team and we can’t wait to see it welcome the first members through the doors in the coming months.”

Horizon Youth Zone forms part of the OnSide Network and will offer more than 20 activities each evening for young people aged eight to nineteen, with extended access for those with additional needs. 

The scheme is backed by North East Lincolnshire Council through the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, the Youth Investment Fund and a wide range of heritage and charitable funders.

Lucy Ottewell-Key, chief executive of Horizon Youth Zone, added: “This is another significant milestone, and because the people of North East Lincolnshire can now see the completed buildings and how amazing they look, the level of anticipation and interest surrounding Horizon Youth Zone is growing by the day.

“We now have a busy and very exciting couple of months coming up as we complete the rest of the internal work and begin the soft openings phase of school, community visits and team training ahead of us opening early next year.”

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