The local council in the UK has approved a plan to transform the abandoned Grimsby Ice Factory into a versatile venue while preserving its historic compressor room.
The Grade II listed building at Grimsby Docks will be repurposed to include offices, research and development space for offshore renewables, and a conference and live event venue with a capacity of 1,000. Additionally, plans for a 161-bed hotel for wind farm workers nearby have been given the green light. These initiatives are projected to generate 600 job opportunities.
Cllr Bill Parkinson expressed confidence that the restoration of the Ice Factory will have a transformative impact on the docks. Built in 1901, the former ice factory is a unique example of its kind, having once produced 1100 tonnes of ice per day and contributed to Grimsby's status as the largest fishing port globally. The planning officers' report confirms that the historic ice compressor room and a complete representation of the ice-making process will be preserved.