Ex-House of Fraser store to regain 1913 shopfront
Ex-House of Fraser store to regain 1913 shopfront
Eleanor Maslin - East Yorkshire and LincolnshireSat, November 14, 2026 at 12:08 PM UTC
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The former House of Fraser building's shopfront in Grimsby will be transformed back in time as part of its Window to 1913 Project
More than £2.6m has been awarded to transform Grimsby's former House of Fraser building to how it looked more than 100 years ago.
The modern shopfront on Victoria Street will undergo specialist workmanship to create a design inspired by the Edwardian elegance of the Guy & Smith department store as it appeared in 1913.
The money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will also go towards heritage events in the town, including permanent displays, workshops and an exhibition in late 2027.
North East Lincolnshire Council bought the buildings in December 2023, with a view to repairing them and bringing them back into use as part of wider town centre regeneration.
Clothing and homewares retailer TK Maxx has signed up to occupy the building once the works have been completed, the council said.
The new funding, more than £2.6m, is part of the national Heritage Fund, designed to improve people's connections to where they live.
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Whilst the council said there was not yet a start date for the Window to 1913 Project, the funding award ensured the restoration works could take place.
The old Guy & Smith store was named after its 19th Century founder Joseph Guy and his son-in-law, Joseph Smith.
Helen Featherstone, a director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said the Window to 1913 project "shows how a much-loved historic building can become a catalyst for change".
She added: "Thanks to National Lottery players, this heritage landmark will be given a new future, while wider investment in local heritage will help boost pride in place, attract visitors and support the local economy."
Oliver Freeston, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "The stretch of buildings is significant in how that part of Victoria Street looks and feels, and to get them back into use will make a big change to the town."
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House of Fraser project awarded £112k
High street plan to bring stores back to life
Related internet links
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North East Lincolnshire Council
Source: “AOL Money”
