Grimsby business leaders launch quarterly roundtable to shape town’s future
By Jonathan Hyldon
Business and community leaders from across Grimsby have united at the first Grimsby Forward Roundtable, a new quarterly series launched by Switalskis and Nicholsons Accountants in partnership with the Grimsby Forward Group.
The group met at The Business Hive to discuss how investment, skills and opportunities for young people can drive Grimsby forward. Delegates represented a diverse range of organisations including E-Factor Group, Switalskis, Nicholsons Accountants, Horizon Youth Zone, PAL Bar & Kitchen, Carr & Carr Builders, Hodsons Architects, McDonald's Grimsby, and GCW.
The roundtable comes at a time of momentum for Grimsby, with new leisure facilities and investment in heritage buildings showing residents that plans for the town are now being delivered. Discussion ranged from new life for the town centre, housing and a growing evening economy to the pride the town takes in its heritage and football club. The UK Town of Culture 2028 bid was welcomed as a catalyst, with the focus remaining on long-term momentum that every community in Grimsby shares in.
“There’s growing confidence that, more than ever, things are moving forward in Grimsby. The drawings are being followed by action and you can see it in the buildings being delivered. But the key is that it has a positive impact on the people of Grimsby, from primary school children right through to pensioners. That is who it must work for.”
Mark Webb, Chair and E-Factor Group MD
Opportunities for young people were a key focus, with employers ready to play their part alongside schools and colleges in showing the next generation that their future can be in Grimsby. McDonald’s in Grimsby now offers paid work experience to 16-year-olds, while The Business Hive’s Meet the Future programme helps young people connect with local employers, build confidence and learn new skills.
“Once you give people the opportunity, you find the stars of the future. As employers we have a huge opportunity to do more of that, and I hope a lot of people will look back in ten or fifteen years and say they started their careers in Grimsby town centre.”
Ayolt Kloosterboer, Owner of the McDonald’s franchise in Grimsby
“We’ve got really ambitious young people on our doorstep who are amazing. One of our juniors asks me every time he walks in when he can have my job. When young people first walked through our doors, a lot of them were open-mouthed and said, ‘this is for us?’ Yes, the town has done this for you. Now it’s about showing every one of them, from as young as eight, the careers on their doorstep, so that in ten years’ time we’re having a very different conversation.”
Lucy Ottewell-Key, Chief Executive of Horizon Youth Zone
“Our Grimsby team were born and bred here, and community is one of our key values. There’s a real willingness in this town to come together and do more, and we’re proud to help bring people together for the good of Grimsby.”
Richard Hallsworth, Director at Nicholsons Accountants
Switalskis, which employs 395 people across Yorkshire and in London, opened its Grimsby office at Fisherman’s Wharf in March. Jonathan Hyldon, director and head of commercial property for Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire at Switalskis, says:
Jonathan HyldonDirector, Solicitor and Head of Commercial Property (Lincolnshire/South Yorkshire)“Where investment has gone into Grimsby’s heritage buildings and shopfronts, others have followed with their own. That confidence is something to build on, and it’s why we opened our office here and why we brought leaders together. Everyone around that table is committed to, and passionate about, making sure plans for Grimsby’s future reach every part of the town.”
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Jonathan has 25 years of experience as a solicitor. He is a Director, Solicitor and Head of Commercial Property (Lincolnshire/South Yorkshire).
