OUR VISION

This currently comprises a number of paragraphs written by members who have taken the lead in various areas such as the arts, recreation, education, and access. Pictures show our 2011 exhibition at the Gate Gallery.

Visualisation by Jon Addison

Our concept sees the Ice Factory within the context of a working dock and a revitalised East Marsh and Riby Square. A representative sample of the original equipment supports a number of sustainable activities appealing to both residents and visitors.

Details so far include: 1 The Ice Factory,  2 International Arts Venue (and Tate St Ives), 3 Climbing Wall, 4 Renewable Educational Hub, 5 Pub & Microbrewery 6 Cinema, Theatre and Performance Space 7 East Marsh Projects and 8 Revised Access Arrangements

1) THE GRIMSBY ICE FACTORY and THE GREAT GRIMSBY ICE FACTORY TRUST

Built in 1900-1901, the Grimsby Ice Factory produced, at its peak, 1100 tons of ice per day and helped to make Grimsby the largest fishing port in the world. It is understood to be the earliest remaining ice factory in the UK. The factory ceased production in 1990, and in September of that year it was granted Grade II* status by English Heritage, and thereby protected from any immediate possibility of demolition.

Situated on the docks, close to Riby Square, the Ice Factory is now in a state of near dereliction. The current owners, Associated British Ports, inherited the building when it was already in a poor state. Since then, a number of issues have combined to produce a situation of stasis: the enormity of the task of repairing the fabric; the North East Lincolnshire Council’s concentration on other priorities; the lack of any obvious use for the building; the demands of commerce and security requirements for the docks. As a result, the survival of this great piece of our industrial heritage hangs in the balance.

Grimsby Ice Factory was named one of the Top Ten Endangered Buildings for 2010 by the Victorian Society.

The Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust was formed in July 2010 by a diverse group of local people united by the desire to save the Ice Factory and find a sustainable use for the building. Unfettered by the contraints of commerce or politics, members have been able to direct their imaginations towards a solution which will not only preserve the fabric and machinery of this important building, but contribute to the future of the docks, the contiguous streets and neighbourhoods, and the greater town and region.

We also have the support of :

Neil Everitt (Air Conditioning Review)Bruce Badger (President, International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration), Guy Hundy (Institute of Refrigeration), Harry Jones (Professor Cryomagnetics and Applied Superconductivity, Oxford University; Chairman, British Cryogenics Council), Ian Brocklebank (Chairman, Arts and Heritage Group, Cleethorpes Renaissance Town Team), Tom and Vicki Wood.

Vicky Hartung

Chair, GGIFT

2) INTERNATIONAL VISUAL ARTS VENUE

Of all the amenities that Grimsby lacks, an international visual arts venue, along the lines of the Baltic in Newcastle, or one of the Tate outposts, does not present itself to many as a priority. And yet, if we would entertain the thought for a while, we might experience a seismic shift in our perception of the town and the surrounding region.

The Ice Factory is a vast building which, even fully restored and occupied, must generate a great deal of profitable activity to be sustainable. In order to achieve the necessary numbers of visitors and paying customers, we must reach beyond the local area.

Ideally placed between London and Newcastle, our arts venue would be a tourism magnet for this stretch of the east coast, drawing visitors from all over the UK, and abroad, and boosting the local economy. Hosting cutting-edge, international exhibitions and competitions, our cultural flagship would attract private investment to the area and contribute to the regeneration of the town.

Multi-national corporations already have a presence in the region. Here would be an opportunity to involve them in the cultural life of the town, perhaps by encouraging them to commission works which would form the basis of an iconic contemporary collection to add to our existing legacy.

Grimsby deserves an art gallery. So many talented people, over the decades, have started off at the Grimsby Art School, and left to seek their fortunes in the big cities. The Ice Factory could be at the centre of a cultural renaissance which would both draw people back, and give them a reason to stay.

Vicky Hartung

Chair, GGIFT

Addendum: Tate St Ives, by Nick Ellerby

St. Ives is a charming coastal town that I started visiting in the early 1980's.

At the end of that decade, at a time when central government was clamping down on local government expenditure, Cornwall County Council, ( supported by Penwith District and St. Ives Town Councils ), began working with a group of inspired individuals. Their aim was to plan and have constructed a Tate Gallery in the town.

In a poor area with little remaining industry, ( fishing and mining were but a memory ), many people argued for what might be judged to be more immediately beneficial to the population, with suggestions such as a new sports centre.

Fortunately the gallery was built.

Apart from the cultural and educational benefits, millions of pounds have been generated,  ( both directly and indirectly ), for the local economy. Many new shops, galleries and restaurants have appeared. The town is alive with visitors.

A true success story.

3) ICE FACTORY CLIMBING WALL

(With acknowledgement to advice and support from Steven Kirman, Lindsey Climbing Club).

Rock climbing has fast growing popularity across the country. It attracts professionals and amateurs; men, women and children. Indoor rock climbing provides a controlled, all-weather environment in which learners, amateurs and professionals can develop their skills without fear of falling or getting seriously hurt. Harnesses have been developed to enable people with disabilities to take part.

Climbing walls are made from plywood boards with hand-holds attached. The position of the hand-holds can be changed so that different routes are created. This ensures repeat visits.

The injury rate among indoor rock climbing is incredibly low.  Rock climbing can develop communication and team-working skills both in business and rehabilitation groups.

The British Mountaineering Council, the governing body of the sport in the country, has seen its membership swell from just over 50,000 in 2000 to more than 67,000 in 2009. Climbers choose not to travel far to their wall with most regular travelling between 10-30 minutes.

Although there are around 300 venues in the UK, the nearest to Grimsby is in Hull followed by Sheffield.  Hull has the current disincentive of Humber Bridge tolls. A climbing centre in Grimsby would appeal to climbers from Scunthorpe, Market Rasen, Lincoln and other areas within half an hours travel.

click here to see larger version of plan

North East Lincolnshire has a long-established Lindsey Climbing Club whose members are willing to provide advice on construction and route-setting. This provides an advantage in having community-based expertise which can advise on reducing unnecessary costs, and on creating a venue which appeals to the enthusiast. The club can also provide training and route-setting expertise (The most popular climbing walls provide a puzzle solving element maintained by regular changes of climbs).

The size of the climbing centre is influenced by the young active population within its catchment area. If harness and pulleys for disabled access are incorporated into the initial design this will enhance the appeal of the venue.

Many climbing walls are set within factory units as these provide the space and metal-framework required to support the walls. If built within the existing structure of the Ice Factory, a climbing wall would maintain the unique industrial look of the building.

Requirements:

Staff:  Rock climbing trainers must know not only the basics but also the finer points and nuances of rock climbing. A team of regular and guest climbers are required to regularly re-set routes in order to maintain the puzzle-solving element of the climbs.

Infrastructure: The climbing wall must be able to simulate the real thing by the height, the steepness and angle, the texture and if possible, various levels of difficulty.  Height from  4 to 13 metres in height and 27 metres long.

Equipment:  Apart from the basic infrastructure, quality equipment such as rock climbing shoes, ropes and harnesses are also required. Separate equipment for children is required.

Insurance: 2% of revenue

Estimated time-scale:  One month to design,  two to three months to fabricate, install and test.

Pricing: One-off visits from £6 for adults and lower  for concessions, with Registration from between £2 to £5 for life membership. Although some walls charge higher fees, this is not thought appropriate to the area, especially for a sport which attracts the young. 

Precedent: The Castle Climbing Centre.

An East London pumping-station built in 1856 in the style of a French mediaeval castle was on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register.  Three climbing enthusiasts set up a company in 1993 to develop the site. Acquiring a lease, the company raised funding  in the form  of equity, loans and sponsorship from a mixture of private and public sources. In 1995 Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners converted the building into an indoor climbing centre . The interior adapts the brick arches and cast iron columns of the original to support a maze of artificial rock faces.  

The Castle Climbing Centre dominates the London indoor climbing market  with over 1,200 square metres of artificial rock climbing walls that customers use to develop their rock climbing skills in a controlled and weatherproof environment.

Graeme Bassett, Secretary Great GIFT

4.RENEWABLE EDUCATION EDUCATION CENTRE

The Humber connection with the proposed concentration of green energy industry gives a unique selling point for a renewables education centre. The vision is for an on-line resource promoting a visitor centre inside the Ice Factory.

The centre would celebrate the unique selling points of the Humber - not just wind turbines but tidal power, wildlife and the port of Grimsby and Immingham. The centre would promote the Humber and the way it serves the UK and Europe.

An online database of up-to-date information would give teachers a reliable source to which they can direct students for research relating to environmental science, geography, citizenship, and GCSE science. The initial database would be built up by local educators on a freelance basis, working towards the status of a national centre of expertise. The geographic location would provide unique visuals with, for instance, webcams showing wind-farms in action linked to monitors calculating the energy output.

Located within the older building, the hub would tie in with the cosmetically restored ice-making equipment. Displays relating to refrigeration, Victorian innovation and power generation would lead through to working models of wave generators and biofuel plants. A slideshow displaying recorded footage of fish market auctions and food processing through the ages would serve as a reminder of the original purpose of the Ice Factory (and the ongoing life of the port).

The physical exhibits would provide an education destination linked to the on-line centre of expertise, with curators providing a resource for school and college trips. There would be enough flexible space built into the education centre for conferences to be held in conjunction with the theatre space (eg launch event or socials in the education hub and seminars in the theatre space).

Graeme Bassett and Roy Horobin

5) Microbrewery and Pub/Restaurant

"As a local brewer and pub operator we feel that there would be an exciting opportunity to use part of this fantastic building for a modern pub/restaurant surrounding a working brewery that would make an attractive, informative and interesting venue."

Tom and Vicki Wood 

See the Ice Factory Ale here