Horizon Youth Zone officially opened its doors on Saturday 14 February, welcoming hundreds of North East Lincs young people and families through its doors. The launch was celebrated by people from across Grimsby and beyond, including Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy, and Chair of the Board Jason Stockwood, and included the unveiling of a poem by poet laureate Simon Armitage, commissioned by Horizon Youth Zone for the young people of Grimsby.
The Chair and Secretary of State were joined by charity CEO Lucy Ottewell-Key, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Philip Jackson, Interim CEO of North East Lincolnshire Council and Horizon Trustee Sharon Wroot, and young people from Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group to cut the ribbon and officially declare the Youth Zone open. Great Grimsby & Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Janet Goodwin, Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis and Director for North of England at The National Lottery Heritage Fund Helen Featherstone also joined Horizon for the opening.
At 11am guests gathered at the viewing platform into the 4-court sports hall for the unveiling of Ambition, Simon Armitage’s poem. The poem was turned into a mural for the sports hall wall by local street artist Ollie Marshall, who worked with young people from the YPDG to highlight what it meant to them. Using their handwriting and drawings to bring the poem to life. The mural and poem will be a lasting legacy for the young people who helped create the Youth Zone and inspire young people for years to come.
Young people and their families explored over twenty activities in their new, state-of-the-art space, with Horizon’s expert youth work team on hand to guide them through. From scaling the climbing wall and creating music in the music room and recording studio, to expressing themselves through arts and crafts, dance and drama, the young people of North East Lincolnshire were able to have fun and find out more about what Horizon can do for them.
The celebrations continued with food, kindly donated Sofina, and live entertainment from local bands Silver Bullet and Daze before ending at 3pm, ahead of the Youth Zone’s full seven-day-a-week programme getting underway from Tuesday 17 February.
Located in the heart of Grimsby on Garth Lane, opposite Freshney Place, Horizon Youth Zone is housed within the beautifully restored and repurposed Grade II listed West Haven Maltings and Migar House. The building has been transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter to preserve the town’s heritage while creating a modern, accessible space.
The Youth Zone has been made possible through partnerships with North East Lincolnshire Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK Youth Investment Fund, St James Charitable Trust, Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic England, OnSide Youth Zones, Greencoat UK Wind, Ørsted, and local businesses and philanthropists who have joined our Founder Patron family. Find out more www.horizonyouthzone.org/support-us/our-supporters.
The Youth Zone will host junior sessions on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays, with senior sessions taking place on Wednesdays, Friday and Saturdays. SEND sessions will also be available on Sundays.
CEO Lucy Ottewell-Key said: “When I first stepped into this role, I was proud simply to have been entrusted with the opportunity. What has followed has been nothing short of transformative. I am immensely proud of the team we’ve built.
“Together, we have cultivated partnerships that are not only operationally effective but strategically meaningful relationships that extend our reach, deepen our credibility, and expand the possibilities ahead of us. The building itself has become a symbol of that: a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and full of life; a place that young people recognise as theirs.”
Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Today marks a historic moment for Grimsby. This magnificent building has been brought back to life in a way that honours our past while giving young people the chance to shape their future.
“We are especially grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, whose support and expertise have been invaluable in helping us preserve the character of this site while creating an inspiring space for generations to come.
“Horizon will create ambition, allow our young people to dream big and help them discover new skills. We are incredibly proud to support this development and excited to see the lasting impact it will have on our town and its next generation.
“The transformation of the former West Haven Maltings into Horizon Youth Zone shows exactly what can be achieved when heritage, vision and community ambition come together.
“The Garth Lane and Alexander Dock area was once a bustling part of our town’s maritime and industrial heritage. Working with the Heritage Fund, our aim has been to again attract people to this area with purpose, and the Youth Zone is just one part of that ambitious plan.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Horizon Youth Zone is a powerful example of how we can bring the National Youth Strategy to life at a local level. By investing in a state-of-the-art, inclusive space in the heart of Grimsby, we are putting young people in the driving seat of their own lives – giving them a safe place to discover their talents, build confidence and shape their futures.
What makes Horizon Youth Zone especially exciting is that young people have helped design the activities on offer, from sport to arts and heritage, ensuring this facility truly reflects their ambitions and voices. This is about creating opportunities for young people to thrive and grow, while strengthening communities and opening doors to brighter futures across North East Lincolnshire.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s almost hard to believe that the state-of-the-art Horizon Youth Zone was the site of Grimsby’s oldest docks, the Grade II listed West Haven Maltings and Garth Buildings. It’s amazing to see the transformation of the site that is pivotal to the heritage-led transformation of Grimsby. We’re thrilled to have been able to support this fantastic project with young people at its heart thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.”