A long-vacant former bank in the heart of Grimsby has now opened as a new community hub run by CARE (Christian Action & Resource Enterprise).
The charity has supported individuals and families in crisis in the town for more than 30 years. Staff at the new Victoria Street hub will offer housing support, crisis intervention, long-term intensive help, as well as a food pantry and furniture recycling project.
The former Royal Bank of Scotland branch closed in 2018 and later fell into visible decline before being taken over by CARE.
Its ground floor has since been completely redesigned with visitors describing the space as feeling like “a 5-star boutique hotel” and “a stately home”.
Anne Bickerstaffe, CEO of CARE, said: “We wanted to create something different from the usual institutional feel of community centres. We believe people deserve beauty and dignity, especially when life is hard. This space tells people they matter from the moment they walk through the door. For seven years, this building stood empty and falling apart. People have been pressing their noses to the glass for weeks, curious about what we were doing inside. One elderly couple who came to look around described it as ‘splendiferous’ – which might be our favourite word of all time.”
“We see people every week who are at breaking point”, she added. “They’re dealing with homelessness, domestic violence, mental health crisis, debt – often all at once. Sometimes they’ve tried everywhere else and nothing has worked. We never want to turn anyone away.”
The completed ground floor includes a public living room, reception area, private crisis support rooms and a kitchenette.
Further phases will improve accessibility with a lift and central staircase, before upper floors are brought into use for groups, activities and partner organisations.
Drop-in services will run Monday to Thursday from 11am to 2pm with appointments available Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.