THE first phase of Freeman Street's long-awaited regeneration is well underway.
New paving and street lighting is being installed in a bid to make the area more inviting to shoppers and businesses.
The work has received a mixed reaction from the people who use what was once Grimsby's most famous street.
But Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "We're investing £1.2-million to create a 'district centre' in Freeman Street that's set to become a focal point for the area's economic and community activity.
"Of course, there will be some short-term disruption with any development of this scale, but it will result in longer-term improvements and greater investment in the area. Running alongside the main works is the council's shop front improvement scheme, where we're offering up to £10,000 to eligible businesses to revamp their premises. So far, we've received about 40 applications for funding.
"In Freeman Street, we're creating an environment where businesses can prosper and communities can flourish.
"By working in partnership with the Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby and Shoreline Housing Partnership, we can make the most of our investment and unlock Freeman Street's potential to stimulate growth and create more jobs."
Josephine O'Brien, 20, is the owner of Pink, in Freeman Street, and claims the roadworks caused by the improvements have been "bad for business".
She said: "We've not had as many people coming in since they started this work.
"Buses have had to be diverted, sending older people miles out of the way. Access to places like this has become very difficult for them and to everyone else, for that matter."
Miss O'Brien said she welcomed the changes, but suggested they could have been introduced in a less disruptive manner.
"I think any change is good change, otherwise it wouldn't be happening, but it's been really difficult because of how they've done it," she added.
"There's a big issue with traffic flow because when you look at the road now, it looks like they've made it smaller, but you've still got cars parked at the side so it makes it hard for vehicles to get through."
Andrea Griffiths, the co-owner of Fleurtations, said: "It's been a disaster for so many of the businesses down here.
"We've had orders coming in over the phone and they've been unaffected but they haven't been enough to cover the lack of walk-in customers. Trade is down massively.
"I don't know why we need a new pavement all the way along the street. Just clean the old one up and put a few more litter bins out.
"It's really bad down here, and then you've got the same with the flyover and Riby Square down the other end of the street.
"They really should have staggered the workload, in my opinion."
But Mrs Griffiths praised the workmen who have tried to "make the experience as painless as possible".
"I can't fault them," she said. "They are always really polite and apologetic for any inconvenience.
"They go out of their way to help our delivery drivers and make sure we can get the stock into our shop, so that's positive."
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