Ward councillors thrilled People's Park in Grimsby will get a new lease of life
WARD councillors have spoken of their delight that People's Park in Grimsby is to be given a new lease of life with the reopening of both the café and Floral Hall.
As revealed in the Grimsby Telegraph last week, the two facilities are to be taken on by the award-winning mental health service Tukes, with the creation of more than 50 jobs.
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AFTERNOON CUPPA: Ward Councillors Andrew De Freitas and Christina McGilligan-Fell are pleased at the news that Tukes will be reviving People's Park Floral Hall and café. Picture: Abby Ruston
And councillors Christina McGilligan-Fell and Andrew De Freitas (both Lib Dem, Park) hope that the move will be the vital first step in restoring the park to its former glory.
Last week's announcement was the culmination of protracted negotiations between Tukes and North East Lincolnshire Council, and came just a week after Councillor De Freitas publicly expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of the park.
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Councillor McGilligan-Fell revealed that discussions had been going on behind the scenes ever since the Grimsby Institute signalled its intention to pull out of the floral hall in 2011.
She said: "We are thrilled. The park has fallen into a state of embarrassment, but now we can look forward to it being restored to how it was two years ago.
"Andrew and I had a meeting with the principal of Grimsby Institute and we immediately contacted Tukes to see if it would be interested in taking it over.
"With it doing such good work in the community we thought it would be the perfect set-up and it was very keen.
"We had hoped that everything would be finalised by the end of 2011, but due to various complications it took a lot longer than anyone could have imagined.
"Now that an agreement has been reached we have a wonderful opportunity to work together with the Friends Of People's Park to help rekindle its past glory."
Councillor De Freitas said: "I am delighted this issue has finally been resolved and I hope we can reinstate the park to its former glory.
"Tukes does fantastic work in our community. Whatever it has taken on it has run it very well and as ward councillors we will do everything we can to help them make this latest project a success."
Comment on this story at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
6 Comments
by scoopaloof
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 4:56PM
“its great news but its not 50 jobs as the vast majority will be training and voluntary opportunities”
by grimsby123
Sunday, March 03 2013, 7:24PM
“work program people from the job centre work there free for 4 weeks”
by luttykinz
Sunday, March 03 2013, 2:05PM
“oh shut up all of you, this park is just one big crack den.”
by davel60
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:12AM
“There's one hell of a difference between growing a few bedding plants and veg to sell to the public and running something as complex and diverse as the Floral hall...”
by insight323
Friday, March 01 2013, 11:30PM
“Can we have some clarity on the definition of "jobs" in this context ?
Is it paid employment or other ????”
by Jasbee
Friday, March 01 2013, 9:15PM
“My wife accepted my proposal In Peoples Park 65 years ago in people's Park. We now live on The Canadian Prairies. Married over 63 years. It is a beautiful place please keep it that way.”