Grimsby's historic Kasbah district revived as port buildings are converted into coffee shop and artist's studio

The Grimsby Heritage Action Zone has funded repair work to a number of buildings in the Conservation Area, a unique survivor from the heyday of the fishing industry.

The Kasbah sprung up in the 1870s to serve the port, with fish merchants, sail makers and other maritime trades occupying the warehouses and smokehouses for fish curing near the docks. There were also services such as banks, a post office and shops. The plots were sited around the railway lines, resulting in odd-shaped buildings with narrow alleys and giving the area its distinctive nickname.

Building No 2 on Auckland Road has been revamped and a new cafe, Coffee on the Docks, will open in December alongside a new studio space for Dale Mackie, the artist in residence for the port.

The Grade II-listed Alfred Enderby’s smokehouse is also undergoing repair work, including cleaning of its famous chimney cowls. Despite other curing businesses closing, the smokehouse has been in continuous use since 1917.

The Great Escape building, which was once the ‘strong room’ and payment offices for the fishermen’s wages and now operates as a community workspace, is having new windows installed and a new cafe.

The former Donnell’s Fish Merchants premises on Henderson Street will become offices, storage and workshop space for building company BJB Construction and will be re-painted with traditional lime mortar.

Building 86 will be renovated as a home for the Grimbarians, which celebrates local people and their heritage, and Simon Card Jewellery.

The Grimsby Ice Factory Trust are also restoring another of the smokehouses, Grade II-listed Peterson’s, with retail and curing space.

Coun Tom Furneaux from Grimsby Council said: “The work that’s happening on the docks is fantastic - preserving old buildings and making them fit for use once again. It’s helping to develop that sense of community on the docks that’s been unique to Grimsby for many years.”

Associated British Ports regional director Simon Bird said: “There is a real buzz of excitement in the Grimsby Kasbah as we see more buildings coming back to life. This historic area was once the beating heart of the port and we very much hope it will be again.”