High street plan to bring stores back to life

Empty high street properties could be brought back to life under a new partnership between North East Lincolnshire Council and local businesses.

Under the High Street Revival Scheme, companies will be offered funding to rejuvenate buildings in Grimsby.

It follows recent town centre initiatives such as the installation of "living walls" and a speaker system to combat antisocial behaviour.

Council leader Philip Jackson said: "The work done so far has really started to change the feel of the town centre and we now want to reduce the number of empty properties on the high street."

The scheme was announced by Councillor Stephen Harness, the portfolio holder for finance, resources, and assets, during a question and answer session with residents on Facebook.

When asked why the rental price of retail units had not been lowered, Harness said that simply reducing rates was "not the answer" to encouraging more businesses.

"If we have vibrancy and variety, we will see visitors want to move here and stay here and invest," he added.

The comeback scheme will offer capital funding for building upgrades and a free support package to new occupants, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Properties will be matched to tenants based on needs.

The project is due to be rolled out as a partnership between the council, property agents, and owners and local bodies including the 2025 Group, Grimsby Retailers in Partnership, E-Factor and Sector Support NEL.

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