Leisure project starts as councillors review Freshney Place plan. Center has high occupancy and supports local initiatives.
Councillors got an update on the shopping center’s plan. The council bought it in 2022. They wanted to keep redevelopment plans alive. Top Town Market closed. Then work started on the leisure area. Early work includes demolition preparation.
The council got the Freshney Place yearly plan. The center had over six million visits last year. Over 96% of units are occupied. This excludes areas for redevelopment.
The plan highlights some shopping center actions too. They installed EV chargers. Also, they built homes for bugs and hedgehogs. They used recycled items for it. The center collects rainwater. LED lights are being installed to save energy. Waste gets recycled or turned into energy.
Freshney Place supports social programs. They have an autism hour on Saturdays. Purple Tuesday raises awareness of disabled people. They help Alzheimer’s awareness too. They support the Great Grimsby Sleep Out. Also, they signed up for Purple 365 training. This offers disability training to staff.
The report covers late 2023 to late 2024. The council found extra tenants following their purchase. Retailers signed leases. About 96.6% of space is now occupied. This is up from 92% in late 2023. The center had over six million visits.
This fell a bit after closing one mall area. Shopping centers have seen less foot traffic. People research online first. Thus, when they visit, they want to buy things.
A council leader mentioned exciting town changes. Progress happens across Grimsby. Freshney Place shows progress in the center. Except for the building zone, shops are full. The diagnostic center opens. The center supports jobs for locals. This will grow with new developments. The business plan focuses on keeping tenants. They want a better family experience. Plus, they wish to increase shopping time. Work started on the leisure area now. It involves stripping the old market. The temporary market moves to One Beyond. The council works with partners on other projects. These include completing St James House. Also the first phase opening of the health center.