One of Grimsby’s most celebrated smokehouses is having a £121,490 makeover.
Conservation repair work has begun on the Grade II-listed Alfred Enderby Smokehouse. Located on the Port of Grimsby, it is a focal point of the town’s seafood industry and the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone, taking in the ‘Kasbah’ conservation area it fronts.
The business was behind the long-running and ultimately successful bid to get EU officials in Brussels to protect the traditionally smoked haddock, produced using methods passed through generations. The premium dish prepared within is enjoyed from five star hotels to royal households, and is a regular award-winner when it comes to taste.
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Significant funds have been drawn from a £1 million heritage grant pot, part of a joint project between Historic England, ABP, North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner Equans.
Enderby’s managing director, Patrick Salmon, is looking forward to seeing the project complete, with the iconic chimney cowls - into which the North Sea air flows to aid the process - being repaired and reinstated.
A loyal customer who bought the business in late 2016, he said: “We’ve been wanting to do these repairs for a long time, but just haven’t had the opportunity to date, so it is great to see the work underway to secure the building for years to come.”
Cast iron rainwater goods and a new first floor wooden loading bay also feature in the programme of works, with Sam Delaney of Creative Start Arts in Health CIC ready to re-write the large sign on the town-facing gable wall now engulfed by scaffolding.
Simon Bird, ABP’s Humber region director, said: “It’s great to see work happening on the Port of Grimsby to revitalise these historic buildings. This smokehouse has been a landmark for many years and it’s right to see its unique character being restored, as part of instilling pride in the Kasbah.”
Old maps show this building was originally constructed as a smithy between 1896 and 1905, but between 1917 and 1928 was converted to fish curing and has remained so ever since.
David Walsh, Historic England Lead for Grimsby HAZ, said: “It is very exciting to see work starting at Alfred Enderby’s smokehouse. Supporting local businesses is crucial to successful regeneration in the historic port. We are delighted to provide a grant to Enderbys as part of the Grimsby Heritage Action Zone along with partners North East Lincolnshire Council and Associated British Ports.”
It comes as a clutch of properties in the zone are set to welcome new tenants in the coming months, with Grimsby developer WE1 Group Heritage having taken on several of the buildings.
Cllr Tom Furneaux, who leads on the authority’s tourism, culture and heritage brief, said: “Grimsby is known, and has a PGI in place, for its smoked fish, and Enderby’s has led this work for many years. To see this project to restore these historic premises start feels like a real milestone.
“The Kasbah is a unique place, and we must continue to look at how to make it safe and welcoming to work in, so we can attract a variety of industries and people to use this area as a base to work. Some of that change will come if we can find ways of working with people and businesses like Enderby’s who can help support that change.”
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