Work on track to breathe new life into disused maltings and grain store
A former grade II listed 19th century maltings and grain store in Grimsby is being transformed into a state-of-the-art youth centre.
The disused site in Garth Lane was formerly home to the West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings and will become Horizon Youth Zone once works complete.
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, is restoring and repurposing the property, as well as building a new sports hall alongside a large outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA).
Due to open in autumn 2025, Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, which is contributing to the development as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, and the Department of Culture Media and Sport, through the Youth Investment Fund.
Other capital funders include Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK.
When it opens next year, Horizon will become part of a network of 15 existing OnSide Youth Zones.
Young people will be able to access over 20 activities each evening, ranging from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training.
Supporters of the Grimsby Horizon Youth Zone visited the site to see work progressing.
Among those visiting were representatives from Cornerstone and Founder Patrons including Allied Protek, DFDS Seaways, Ørsted, Lincolnshire Co-op, myenergi and Prax Foundation Roots. Welcoming guests on site was Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group.
Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “We couldn’t deliver this hugely ambitious project without the generous support of the many organisations, local businesses and our Founder Patron donors.
“It was therefore an honour to welcome them onto the site so they can see how work is progressing and share our vision for how the development will look and function.”
Jamie Masraff, CEO of OnSide, said: “Our aim is to give all young people the chance to thrive and discover their passion and purpose.
“We already have 15 Youth Zones open across the country, and I can’t wait for Horizon to join the Network and give Grimsby’s young people the exciting opportunities all our Youth Zones offer.”
Jason Stockwood, chair of the Horizon Youth Zone, said: “I’m so glad we can welcome our community of supporters onto the site and mark just how far we’ve come – and celebrate as we look to the future.
“Horizon Youth Zone will be transformational for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire; not only will it make a huge difference to young people’s lives, but it will also support the wider regeneration of the area. It’s very exciting to see the building take shape.”
Joe Booth, business development director from Hobson & Porter, added: “This is a project that we’re very proud to be working on because it’s going to have a lasting impact on Grimsby and its people.
“Our team thoroughly enjoyed hosting so many of the project’s supporters and stakeholders on site and giving them an insight into the complexities and uniqueness of this flagship project.
“The delicate and intricate task of combining heritage and conservation works with the new-build elements is creating incredible state-of-the-art facilities which will genuinely change lives for the better and we are incredibly proud to play our part in that journey.”
