Business hub takes shape with first phase to open in spring
The ground floor has now been let at Grimsby town centre’s showpiece new business hub, with five organisations currently waiting to be the revamped building’s first tenants.
The Business Hive at St James’ House is now about six weeks from a phase one opening.
The E-Factor owned property is in St James Square, next to Grimsby Minster. E-Factor managing director, Mark Webb, said: “This building is coming together and will be, I believe, an iconic building in Grimsby and a good reason why people will want to come to the town centre and take advantage of all the retail and leisure outlets that are going to be here.”
The transformed St James’ House should form a key part of the rebirth of Grimsby’s town centre alongside the Freshney Place Leisure, Foodhall & Market scheme, the new OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, plans for 130 homes on Alexandra Dock and the opening of a Community Diagnostic Centre in Freshney Place.
Councillor Philip Jackson, North East Lincolnshire Council leader, added: “This is fantastic, and Mark and his colleagues are doing a great job.
“This is going to be an asset to the town centre and is part of our overall regeneration plans.
“The Freshney Place Leisure, Foodhall and Market Scheme is only yards away from here meaning this whole area will be transformed in the next couple of years. I am really excited about this, and the additional footfall that is going to be attracted here.
“If we want to attract new business and industry into the area one of the things people want to see is a thriving town centre, which will create confidence – not just here, but in the surrounding area.”
The council supported E-Factor’s application for a £1.5m Towns Fund grant towards the complete renovation of the empty building. This enabled the purchase of the property by E-Factor and for the work to go-ahead.
Phase one includes a glass fronted ground floor café, and separate business space that is being let to the NSPCC for its work with families across North East Lincolnshire.
The building’s second floor comprises offices for 18 small businesses – five have already been let.
Also to be completed in phase one is the reception area and a break-out space.
Phase two will include a first-floor hub and events space for meetings, activities and the E-Factor’s regular business hive gatherings.
Finally, there will be a top floor penthouse office, which would suit a small to medium-sized professional services company.
Next to this office is an adjoining outdoor space, which could accommodate a rooftop events terrace.
