Plan to transform historical building into flats
Trevor Ekins via the Missing Pieces Project and Historic EnglandPlans to revive one of Grimsby's historical buildings into flats and a retail space have been submitted to the council.
The Customs House, off Cleethorpe Road, was built in the late 1800s to serve the docks before taking on several roles over the decades. It has stood vacant in recent years and developers are now seeking permission to bring the Grade II‑listed building back into use.
Owner ASR Property Trading Limited has applied for planning permission and listed building consent to convert the site into seven flats and a retail unit.
If approved by North East Lincolnshire Council, the works would include repairs to the building, such as masonry work and repainting railings.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Customs House has had a long and varied history. It has previously been home to restaurants, nightclubs - including Chicago's and Tokyo Jo's - and most recently office space for businesses such as insurance firms.
Under the proposals, it would also comprise of three flats on the ground floor and four at the first floor. There would be a two-bed and a three-bed flat each, and the remaining would be one-bed only.
It also covers more than 300sq m in total of retail space.
The Customs House dates back to the Victorian era and has been a listed building for more than 50 years.
Planning documents state the historic features inside the building would be retained or reinstated where possible, with minimal intervention to preserve the building's heritage.
Earlier proposals for the site originally included nine flats. But these were revised following discussions with the Environment Agency, which highlighted a significant constraint in flood risk.
The building's existing car park would be retained but divided between residents and customers using the retail unit.
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