Projekt Renewable Grimsby: How Grimsby is Reinventing Itself as a Destination - Karta.com

Projekt Renewable Grimsby: How Grimsby is Reinventing Itself as a Destination

News Feb 6, 2025

Grimsby has long been associated with its fishing heritage, but a new chapter is unfolding—one centered on renewable energy, sustainability, and community-driven innovation. While its historical reputation lingers, initiatives like Projekt Renewable (PRG) are working to redefine the town’s future, proving that Grimsby is more than just its past.

At the heart of this transformation is Richard Askam, a proud Grimbarian and project director of PRG. “I want to show people there’s something here for them,” he explains. PRG, launched in 2023, has quickly evolved into a thriving educational and community hub dedicated to inspiring the next generation of renewable energy leaders. The site, situated on Alexandra Dock, features solar-powered shipping containers and serves as both an engagement center and a symbol of what’s possible.

Discover North East Lincolnshire | Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre

Bridging the Past and the Future

Located next to Grimsby’s Fishing Heritage Centre, PRG serves as a bridge between the town’s storied past and its renewable future. The initiative has gained significant momentum, thanks to partnerships with organizations like The Crown Estate, which became a patron in 2024, funding an education space and supporting sustainability projects.

One of PRG’s standout initiatives is the Wind Farm Boat Tours, launched in partnership with RWE. These tours offer a first-of-its-kind experience, taking visitors to the Humber Gateway Wind Farm, just 8km offshore. The tours provide a rare opportunity to see cutting-edge renewable technology up close and learn about career opportunities in the growing offshore wind industry.

Demolition threat looms for great Victorian buildings from English fishing's  golden age | North of England |

Other key community-driven events in 2024 included:

✅ Plant + Paddle – A hands-on environmental education program, combining water sports with sustainability awareness.

✅ Grimsby Community Energy Share Offer – Enabling local residents to invest in renewable energy projects.

✅ The Trashion Show – A red-carpet fashion event featuring outfits made entirely from recyclable materials, engaging over 400 children.

✅ The Big Replant Event – A large-scale community effort to restore local green spaces.

✅ Our Future Starts Here – A solar-powered cultural festival celebrating local talent.

These initiatives reflect PRG’s commitment to making sustainability engaging, educational, and community-focused.

Grimsby 'generating more electricity from renewables than anywhere else in  England'

A Town Reconnecting with Its Waterfront

While Grimsby has a rich maritime history, much of the town center sits inland, making it easy to forget its deep connection to the estuary. PRG aims to reignite this connection, encouraging locals and visitors alike to engage with the waterfront through new experiences.

The Docks Beers brewery, founded in a restored 19th-century mission church, is another success story leading this movement. Since opening in 2018, it has helped shift perceptions of Grimsby, drawing crowds for craft beer, street food, and live music. Events like DocksFest (returning July 6) have bolstered the area’s cultural appeal, proving that Grimsby has the potential to become a destination in its own right.

DOCKS BEERS

Revitalizing the Historic Docks

Grimsby’s docks remain a powerhouse for renewable energy and fish processing, with 70% of the UK’s fish still processed here. However, parts of the docks have been historically difficult to access. That is slowly changing.

Visitors can now explore historic sites like Coffee on the Docks, an old wages office turned café, and Alfred Enderby Smokehouse, a century-old establishment producing award-winning smoked fish. Guided tours offer insight into the traditional smoking process, giving visitors a taste of Grimsby’s culinary heritage.

The docks also hold immense potential for further development. Over 90 historical buildings remain on-site, and a growing number of businesses are taking advantage of “rent holidays” to renovate and breathe new life into these spaces.

A Future Powered by Innovation and Community

Looking ahead to 2025, PRG is planning an even bigger year of engagement and innovation, with major projects on the horizon, including:

✅ The Great Grimsby Renewable Raft Race

✅ The World’s Tallest Wind Turbine Built from LEGO

✅ A New Living/Art Wall Mural on Heritage House

✅ The Big Alexandra Dock Screen – A floating summer cinema experience

✅ A Large-Scale Light Art Installation on Alexandra Dock

As Grimsby embraces its renewable future, PRG continues to serve as a catalyst for change—bridging the gap between industry and community, inspiring the next generation, and proving that the town’s best days are still ahead.

By celebrating its heritage while embracing innovation, Grimsby is no longer just the “fallen fishing capital” but a town redefining itself as a hub for sustainability, education, and tourism.

Grimsby is not at the end of the line—it’s just getting started.

Tags

Oliver Hughes

Oliver has over 15 years of experience in travel journalism. He focuses on European travel, providing expert reviews of vacation rentals and cultural experiences across Europe.