Grimsby Top Town Market is set to close in its current form in February ahead of demolition works beginning as part of the Freshney Place leisure scheme.
It has been in the same location since 1976 and will temporarily relocate within the shopping centre before moving to its new home.
The £49.96m leisure scheme involves the creation of a five-screen cinema, new public space outside the shopping centre, a food hall and a new permanent home for Top Town Market on the area of the former BHS building. Nando’s could be coming to the shopping centre as part of the redevelopment.
Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson (Conservative – Waltham Ward) has described the Freshney Place redevelopment as “one of the largest schemes we’ve ever done”. There would be short-term disruption, but the result would transform the town centre, he said.
“The council can confirm that there will still be a market in Grimsby town centre,” said a North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson. “It is currently working with market traders and also with its redevelopment partners on a temporary relocation of a market into Freshney Place. This is an important step as we start the physical transformation of the western end of Victoria Street, and our town centre.
“We are sure everyone will appreciate that this scheme – one of the largest we have ever embarked on in North East Lincolnshire – will not happen without some disruption and, as we move forward, everything possible will be done to mitigate the issues. However once complete we look forward to welcoming traders and visitors to a whole new food hall and market with a real focus on giving people of all ages a good leisure and retail experience, which will complement the rest of Freshney Place – along with the new cinema and other leisure units. With Parkway Cinema and Starbucks already confirming their presence in the new scheme, there’s more to come too.”
The spokesperson said market traders were updated verbally immediately following December’s full council meeting, which decided to proceed with the leisure scheme, on the next outline steps. They were promised to return to them on a one-to-one basis with more details this month.
Inside Top Town Market, Grimsby, in late 2023
(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
“Those discussions were held last week to explain the next steps, to understand traders’ business aspirations, talk through the various options available to them, and offer them a full support package to assist them to transition going forward. Grimsby’s Top Town Market is currently expected to close in early February, with demolition work starting soon afterwards. The first step will be to decommission the existing market.”
‘One of the largest projects we’ve ever done’
“We’re on a hugely ambitious journey, with significant investment of public funds right across our towns and borough,” said Cllr Jackson. “In the Freshney Place leisure and market scheme, we’re investing in one of the largest schemes we’ve ever done. We believe this is right for the town. Alongside our partners, like e-Factor, OnSide and Keepmoat, who are delivering projects in other areas of Grimsby, we are playing our part in delivering this scheme too.
“We know there will be short term disruption, but the result will transform the town centre and deliver new shopping and leisure options for our residents. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in our Top Town Market in its present location and look forward to seeing what the future holds for our Food Hall and Market of the future.”