Urban living is no urban myth

URBAN living is an interesting concept.
For those living off Grimsby's Cartergate, Bargate and Alexandra Road it is not a new phenomenon. But the new twist is not a town or terraced house built before cars ruled the road with a necessity to live close to where work and life is. It is more of a desire.
Restaurants, bars, shops all on your doorstep. A buzz of life that only a town centre can bring. It is a lifestyle aimed at young, independent workers with the energy and affluence to enjoy - those who can cover th rent or mortgage and are happy to have the urban realm as their garden.
For several years now we have seen apartment developments speculated and built, but the intensity is now gearing up.
The two projects shown in their glory in today's Telegraph are further examples of the confidence people now have in Grimsby.
The growth of the chemical and ports industries on the South Bank of the Humber is leading to more cross-income jobs, more skilled positions that may well suit someone fresh from university.
Wellowgate, an area of conservation due to its proximity to St James' Church, lends itself perfectly to such schemes, as proposed by Manorcrest and Castle Building. Away from the late night hustle and bustle of the zone affectionately dubbed 'Gaza Strip', it is also close enough to the Riverhead for those who crave the offerings.
Then we have the beautiful blank canvas that is Cartergate. For my money the council has been rather savvy with this assembling of property, though I do believe it was supposed to be in the open with briefs available today. When it does open up to developers I will watch with interest what happens, because the potential is huge.
A true extension to the good work that has been done so far with the pedestrianisation of Grimsby town centre. We must never forget either the investment and interest that Freshney Place has put into Grimsby. We may take it for granted here, but many planners will tell you that its quality belies a town the size of ours. And a personal favourite is Abbeygate, a true gem the likes of which many a city may crave.
Rather oddly, after all the talk of Garth Lane and Frederick Ward Way, Wellowgate is much more likely to emerge first, with Manorcrest - the most ambitious of the two - likely to be on site by early next summer.
And a great aside to all of this is the fact that we will see leisure facilities improved in North East Lincolnshire as Cue World's popularity allows it to vacate and welcome developers in.
Again I'll watch with interest John Leyland's quest for a new place to lay the green baize.
Whatever your views on new apartment blocks, the investment in the town centre cannot be sniffed at, so let's hope even more is in the frame, as we focus on the Great as opposed to the Grim, of Great Grimsby.

August's Business - out tomorrow.

PEAK holiday season it may be, but the wheels of industry are still turning.
And so is our printing press, with a 40-page August Business supplement free in tomorrow’s Telegraph.
And there is a truly international flavour as we find out about the global success of Stallingborough’s flagship chemical training centre, meet with the president of the Humber Foreign Consular Association and look at the latest high speed link to Holland.
On the domestic front we report on the buy-out of a port group with strong interests in Grimsby and Immingham, investigate the interest rate rises are having on the commercial property market and interview Richard Lambert, director general of the Confederation of British Industry. He gives his views on the food cluster, skill gaps and the need for more local decisions when it comes to politics.
In profile is a solicitor who has played a vital role in a new top town facility, and we check out a van that is easy on the environment.
With the usual updates on food, chemicals, ports and logistics, steel and business support, don’t miss your copy for vital holiday reading.
For those reading from outside the Grimsby Telegraph circulation area, the whole of Business will be online in eBook form from Wednesday morning.
Enjoy

Dave

Radio Gy...

NEWSPAPERS don't like to talk up radio too much, especially commercial radio where we compete directly for businesses' advertising spend.
But I for one am pleased to see the 'on-the-road' coverage of the Mighty Mariners fall to Compass FM.
Station manager Richard Lyon is a Grimsby Town fan - like myself, and like myself was introduced to the agony and ecstasy of all things black and white by his father.
He went to Wembley twice, he also went to countless reserve games too. But this isn't a company money for blinded loyalty story like the alleged rail company sponsorship deal of years gone by, this is a sensible broadcasting move.
Full uninterupted coverage of away games is the promise, so nothing to detract from bums on seats at Blundell Park then. And then the joy of not having to listen to how the Taargers or the Iron are faring in the Championship. Once upon a time we'd glory in being the only team to take three points and fly the flag on the Humber, nowadays we've sunk to poor relation.
While I have the utmost respect for the broadcasting team when the Mariners were the feature game, the BBC badge seemed to take precedence in post match press conferences. "Is it okay if I ask all my questions first?" would not be a question posed at Old Trafford.
And the recent fall-out over fees with the Beeb has been ridiculous. I've heard the spoutings on the airwaves and "spitting dummy out" doesn't quite do Humberside's take on it justice.
John Fenty is a successful businessman who will run the football club as it should be run, as a business.
For too long people complained that the GTFC boardroom was a glorified gentleman's club. Recent years have seen something of a business-like breath of fresh air, and while some noses may be put out, others are enjoying the breeze. There is so much money in the game it simply cannot be dealt with any other way, and while chairman - to a lesser extent then their appointments - are judged on results, the balance sheet is equally as important.
This deal won't provide a war chest, but it is the type of buy-local, stay focused approach required if the club is to progress up the league ladder once more and get the new stadium we all crave.
One person I will miss is John Tondeur. He is radio's Geoff Ford, a wise, considered and experienced voice on football. Yes we all disagree occasionally, but the vast majority of comments, opinions and analyses will be spot on.
As for Compass, with a name like that I just hope they don't ever have problems with directions when it comes to the fortnightly jaunts to Macclesfield, Morecambe and MK Dons!

Dixon disaster down to service?

THE name Dixon is synonymous with Grimsby. First the paper mill and then the car dealership that set up a mini-village in the town centre. Both completely separate entities, but on the same site. Both now no more.
A finance company first and car dealership second, Dixon has had its critics when it came to the service side.
I bought a car from there about six years ago and I am still waiting for the replacement ash tray I was promised the day I drove it off the forecourt. A lesson in car buying for me then.
People haven't stopped buying new cars. Yes margins are tight, yes competition is high, but others are thriving. I wonder if the customer relations played a part. "I'd never go back" is easily said, and often broken, but maybe not so in this case. Like estate agents, your need for a car dealer is not a frequent one, so when you are in that position it needs to be spot on.
If too many people have too many bad experiences, the effect can be a major one.
I feel for those who have lost jobs, but feel knowledge of such an industry will bring sales and administration opportunities to them.
The dealerships are smart and modern, F Cross jumped in for VW some time back; Nissan, Renault and Peugeot may follow.
I'm just pleased I was never a smoker.

Sunshine makes for a happy Meggie.

WHETHER it is the fact that early summer was turned into one big shower, and the relief that comes with the sun shining now or not I don't know, but Cleethorpes is looking fabulous.
I make a point of driving down the seafront on days like this as I make my way to work. It involves the slightest of detours, and may not be carbon footprint friendly, but it gives me that reminder of what makes me want to stay. Not many people heading into Wapping can enjoy such a sight to their right as they drive in. Simply taking your eyes off the car in front means you'll either crash or get cut up there. But the efforts that have been put into the resort - especially the Central Promenade and Kings Parade - are fantastic, with the small cafes and bars lining Alexandra Road making it a truly pleasant place to be.
A weekend stroll for breakfast while basking in the sun is a joy. Yet on Saturday I was baffled that in a world of 24-hour drinking Cafe Valerie cannot open before 10am. A few years back this wouldn't have caused me a problem, but with weekends off I find myself rising earlier, especially when that sun is there to be enjoyed.
Licensing, I am told, is the problem. Noise and commotion over eggs benedict - I doubt that. Are the croissants crying out? No. Surely the residents of the neighbouring serene Brooklands Avenue are more likely to be the early customers of the first pillar of civilised Cleethorpes culture?
So the likes of Blue Wave Cafe and others get to lap up the early trade. A fine establishment in its own right, but what an unfair advantage they find themselves enjoying.
Another loss for CV is that the early hours give Cleethorpes that calm before the South Yorkshire storm arrives, with white socks and sandals as common as buckets and spades.
Both of these breakfast beauties banned smoking before the Government did last month, and what a decision that was, and not before time. Our bars and cafes are much better places already. Pubs and clubs have invested to create outdoor facilities that are now far better for both the self harmers and the non-smokers.
So having been robbed of June and July, I have my fingers crossed for August and September, and plead with all not to take Cleethorpes for granted.
Thousands would give plenty for what we have on our doorstep. We all need to respect it, support the likes of the Bloom brigade - their sterling efforts bring the resort into such great focus - and think of Clee with Glee.