Business leaders discover the first trailblazing initiative of Greater Grimsby series to re-energise local economy

Wilkin Chapman solicitors hosted its inaugural Greater Grimsby event to showcase local projects to reinvigorate the region

60 of some of Grimsby’s best-known businesses joined Wilkin Chapman for their first event of the ‘Greater Grimsby’ series, which champions projects that support the sustainable regeneration of the town and the surrounding areas.

The introduction, held at the law firm’s headquarters in the town centre, gave business leaders an opportunity to hear about promising plans for the region first-hand and exclusively.

Kicking off the trailblazing series was Richard Askam, project director of Projekt Renewable; an ambitious scheme to celebrate the opportunities of sustainable energy production in the area and catalyse the green economic regeneration of the town.

Projekt Renewable is Grimsby’s first genuine catalyst regeneration project. It aims to create an educational and cultural destination in the town, creating a long-term, national centre of excellence to inspire the next generation of renewable energy experts.

Explaining the local significance of the Greater Grimsby scheme, Adam Ottley, partner in the Grimsby corporate and commercial team at Wilkin Chapman, said:

“At Wilkin Chapman, we’re committed to raising interest and appeal for Grimsby and the region. The Greater Grimsby events give us a powerful platform to do exactly that, all while speaking directly to local business leaders who can help us to turn these ambitious plans into tangible benefits for the local economy.

“Projekt Renewable is a fantastic start to the scheme and shows the combined determination of local businesses to reinvigorate the area in a big way.”

Commenting on the packed launch, Joshua Briggs, partner and head of disputes at Wilkin Chapman’s Grimsby office, said:

“We’re proud to provide a platform for Projekt Renewable as part of our wider Greater Grimsby series, which promises to ramp up interest and investment in sustainable, renewable energy for the region by energising the next generation of environmental experts.

“It hopes to make Grimsby a cultural and educational hotspot for environmentalists and scholars serious about protecting the natural environment and assets. It will provide an immersive, hands-on experience that brings careers in renewable energy to life.

“To ensure we have clean, sustainable energy, working in the field has to be seen as energising too – which is exactly what this ambitious project sets out to show.”

With more than 1000 jobs already having been created via offshore wind farms in the area through the £14 million operations and maintenance base for Orsted, harnessing the power of clean energy is recognised as a clear opportunity to offer steady employment to locals as well as empower local communities and improve infrastructure.

Projekt Renewable will be based in a contemporary box park between Freshney Place and Alexandra Dock. It aims to bring emerging careers to life by offering immersive experiences and hands-on demonstrations of the immense range of jobs in the Energy Estuary.

Lead by project director Richard Askam and supported by businesses such as Wilkin Chapman, NELC, RWE Renewables UK and myenergi, the destination also aims to have its own TV channel and podcast which will be able to extol the opportunities of renewable energy to revitalise our local economy as well as the wider landscape.

Due to the positive response to Projekt Renewable, the board has reduced the minimum level of donation to just £1,000 per business to secure a place on the Wall of Fame when the box park launches in July. There are also six opportunities to be an event sponsor during the school summer holidays which would bring huge exposure during that key launch phase. If this is of interest, please contact richard@projektrenewable.com.

The next Greater Grimsby event will be taking place in Autumn. For more information on Wilkin Chapman, visit www.wilkinchapman.co.uk