Windows have been repaired at St James House in Grimsby after they were smashed
The vacant building will undergo a refurbishment in future to become a business hub
Repair work has taken place at St James House following windows being smashed.
The vacant building in Grimsby town centre will undergo a refurbishment in future to become a business hub, but this work hasn’t begun yet.
North East Lincolnshire Council approved a £1.5million makeover last year which will include space for shops, cafes and small businesses.
The social enterprise e-Factor will take over the building at a future date.
The arches, which have been a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, will be closed to become shops, cafés and workshops.
The upper floors will become space for small businesses, which could encourage aspiring companies to move back into the town centre.
The council says there is demand for this type of space after the successful renovation of the Cartergate office development.
The building’s regeneration would complete the revamp of St James’ Square, which reopened in May after a £1.8million makeover.
Council leader Councillor Philip Jackson told Cabinet during discussion of the plans:
“St James House has been run down for many years, and with the success of the Wilkin Chapman building on Cartergate and the redevelopment of St James Square, a key heritage asset in the town, the next step was to deal with the redundant building in a way that can increase footfall in the town centre and provide benefit to other local businesses.
“I’m delighted E-Factor has put forward these proposals, which bring a new dimension to St James Square, a fantastic heritage asset in our town centre. We are extremely pleased to support this scheme.”