A HIVE OF ACTIVITY

FORMER DERELICT TOWN CENTRE BUILDING NOW TRANSFORMED

- By COREENA FORD

A FORMER derelict building in Grimsby is now buzzing with activity with more development work to come this year.

Property company E-Factor Group has been driving forward the transformation of St James' House into The Hive - a new business hub and flexible office space which is providing a base for businesses to network, collaborate, and grow, while also aiding regeneration efforts.

North East Lincolnshire Council backed E-Factor's application for a £1.5m Towns Fund grant towards the renovation of the empty building, funds which enabled the purchase of the building by E-Factor and for the work to go-ahead.

Now, with several firms moved in and a waiting list, the next phases are due to start, including the creation of a new cafe and a penthouse business suite.

The Towns Fund grant renovation work took place last year within the then asbestos-riddled property, which was stripped back to enable repairs to every aspect of its interior and exterior.

A year on, civic and business leaders and tenants have hailed the E-Factor Business Hive for its swish reception and "buzzing" office space.