Plans to save historic ice factory approved
5th January 2024
UK: North East Lincolnshire Council has approved plans to turn the historic Grimsby Ice Factory into a 1,000-seat live events venue, offices and research and development area for offshore renewables.
The derelict and crumbling grade-II* listed building was the largest ice factory in the world when it opened in 1901. It closed in 1990 and later received grade-ll* listing for the rarity of the refrigeration equipment contained within it. The centrepiece is the plant room containing four huge J&E Hall four-cylinder ammonia compressors installed in 1931. These will be retained and become a feature of the new development.
The man behind the plans, entrepreneur Tom Shutes, acquired the site in 2021 from Associated British Ports. His plans for the new complex include a full representative example of the original ice making process.
A three-part history of the factory and its equipment can found here:
Part 1: Iconic refrigeration frozen in time
Part 2: Frozen in time
Part 3: Grimsby Ice Factory – the early years
Related stories:
Theatre plan for historic Grimsby Ice Factory – 13 May 2020
UK: A London-based businessman is behind new plans to rescue the historic Grimsby Ice factory and turn it into a 1,400-capacity theatre venue. Read more…
Government backs new Ice Factory study – 29 November 2018
UK: The threatened historic Grimsby Ice factory has received government assistance to part fund a new feasibility study to assess its current condition and how it can be best preserved. Read more…
Ice Factory thrown heritage lifeline – 15 March 2018
UK: Efforts to save the historic Grimsby Ice Factory have been thrown a major lifeline by being named as one of the most endangered heritage sites in Europe. Read more…
Ice Factory is “most endangered” site – 16 January 2018
UK: The Grimsby Ice Factory, with its historic refrigeration equipment, has been shortlisted as one of the most endangered heritage sites in Europe. Read more…
Heritage battle closes on Ice Factory – 1 August 2016
UK: The historic Grimsby Ice factory and its unique 85-year-old refrigeration equipment is more exposed as nearby Victorian buildings on Grimsby docks look set to be demolished. Read more…
Ice Factory denied lottery funding – 27 May 2014
UK: The Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust (GGIFT) has been unsuccessful in its bid for £11m of Heritage Lottery funding. Read more…
Grimsby Ice Factory on Monuments Watch – 8 October 2013
UK: The Grimsby Ice Factory, with its historic, irreplaceable Grade ll* listed refrigeration equipment, has been selected as one of the World’s most treasured places by the New York based World Monuments Fund. Read more…
