The future of artworks attached to the Abbey Walk car park in Grimsby remains undecided.
As previously reported, the car park was built in 1969, but has been closed since May 2024 due to structural defects. Last year, NELC approved plans to demolish the car park and replace it with a ground-level facility as part of a larger project to consolidate the town’s transport options into one space.
The structure features several modernist reliefs by renowned artist and sculptor Harold Gosney, which are also now at risk.
There have been repeated calls from residents and local history groups to save the artworks.
North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) previously stated that removing the artworks ahead of demolition is likely to be “incredibly difficult.” Other reports suggested that removing the reliefs may be too costly or unsafe.
In a more recent update the authority said a “final decision on Mr. Gosney’s artwork has yet to be made,” but added that work to preserve them is already underway, explaining that the reliefs have been scanned to create a 3D digital rendition. This means that they could be reproduced in the future.
According to NELC, Harold Gosney, the artist, is “thrilled” with the scans.
In a statement given to the council, he said: “These scans sound brilliant to me and I’m so pleased my work can be kept for future use. Those who were worried that my art may be lost need not worry anymore. This means they can last forever.”
He added: “The scans are so impressive as well, they even have the grains and textures from where I filed them originally before they were cast and put in place.”
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.