At a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet on Monday, councillors unanimously backed a 25 year vision that would breathe new life into Grimsby town centre.

Whitelaw Turkington (part of the Grontmij group), working closely with EC Harris and Latham Architects, has developed a plan to revitalise public spaces in the town centre, in particularly along the River Freshney, a place which symbolises the town’s connection with the fishing industry and the North Sea. The masterplan will be delivered in a series of phases, the first of which is predominantly focussed on the public realm.

Paving the way for investment

Cllr Geoff Lowis, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration, said, "I have been in this job for six years now and I think in all that time this is the most important document that has been placed in front of the council. I am particularly excited about the proposals for Alexandra Dock West and Riverhead Square.

"If you create a real quality town centre square which will see people want to walk around it, and use it, then you attract private investment and it will go from there."