Grimsby masterplan will boost trade at Freshney Place
A MAJOR retailer is waiting for the opportunity to set up shop in Grimsby, according to a report.
Repositioning the town's bus station could allow for the expansion of Freshney Place shopping precinct and create a further eight outlets.
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New look? An artist's impression of a redesigned Grimsby bus station.
Precinct owners Grosvenor said they supported the masterplan for the area because it would boost trade.
Nearly 40 per cent of the shoppers heading to Freshney Place shopping centre come by bus, according to the precinct's owners.
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Grosvenor's projects director, Simon Armstrong, said his firm supported North East Lincolnshire Council's bid for funding because it would bring in further investment and shoppers.
Mr Armstrong said: "At present, the bus station provides a hostile environment for pedestrian shoppers at the western end of the shopping centre and the proposals to upgrade the quality of the public realm and pedestrian amenities are welcomed."
He said his firm was committed to bringing further investment to Grimsby following relocation of the bus station, adding: "Our initial studies suggest there is potential to create a large new store of about 70,000 sq ft and stimulate an investment of £12 million with the creation of 100 jobs.
"In setting out our support for these proposals, we would emphasise the need for a high-quality replacement bus facility."
The new bus station would have to be convenient and provide easy access to the shopping centre, he said.
North East Lincolnshire Council's head of development, Jason Longhurst, said: "This successful bid, alongside the significant benefits for public transport and enabling access to employment, further provides the opportunity to expand the retail offer in Grimsby town centre, as we know that Grosvenor, the owners of Freshney Place, are keen to extend.
"The bid was prepared in partnership with our regeneration partner Balfour Beatty and a number of local businesses and community groups.
"This funding will allow us to make significant improvements to the public and sustainable transport networks, which will help to encourage development, create jobs and improve levels of accessibility."
What do you think?
E-mail your thoughts to viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
Comments
by jking88
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 11:33AM
“Has anyone noticed, that the Taxi Rank will have to move again lol”
by porcelainblak
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 10:11PM
“Why are we expanding Freshney Place to make eight new units when there are loads empty?
Complete madness - why do they think that everyone's life revolves around shopping? Haven't had a payrise for three years, so only shop for essentials in the supermarket, clothes and shoes are a thing of the past.”
by zombie99
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 9:24PM
“agree with the oracle artist impression does not reflect gy because it looks to nice,there are decent people in gy but alot do not use top town because its habbitated by scum”
by AAAAAAARGH
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 5:10PM
“I don't like the idea of buses having to reverse out. It works at the Hull interchange as there are no pedestrians behind the buses, but in Grimsby people wander all over the place. I'd rather the Cleethorpes-bound buses were routed along Frederick Ward Way. You could widen the pavement to make room for bus stops.”
by puevigi
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 4:39PM
“it will mean months of chaos while work is being done for very little benefit.
more pretty pictures from planet " artist's impression "
it will look nothing like it in reality”
by harvey21
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 4:24PM
“Please let it be H&M I hate having to travel to scunthorpe just to visit this store. This store would make a fortune in Grimsby .”
by The0racle
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 2:46PM
“Thats not a very good artist's impression.
Where's the drunk shouting at the buses?”
by grimrich
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 2:07PM
“wait isnt there a massive empty shop in osbourne st. the new retailer could inhabit , oh hang on they already did yrs ago and moved out to cleethorpes”
by des22
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 1:04PM
“Rubbish. Even Jason Longhurst must know that there is no market for another big store because the ones we have are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. It would need hundreds of shoppers to come from far and wide every single day of the year to make this work and that is just not going to happen. Open a brand new shiny store and you close another big one next door. Mr Longhurst will want to be in the photo when the new place opens. Will he be around when the other one closes? I think not. On to the next "regeneration" for some other suckers in another town.”
by havntone
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 1:03PM
“Why is the bus facing the precinct shops, does that mean they are going to have to reverse out causing more delays. I would suggest N.E. Lincs Council gets Stagecoach to sort the busses out first, has to be the worst bus service in the country.”