The Horizon Youth Zone: ‘A beacon of ambition’

Growing up in Grimsby, the derelict old West Haven Maltings and Migar House hung over the town centre.

There was often talk about restoring the buildings. Plans were drawn, artist impressions were shared, but nothing ever happened. 

Then in 2019, it was announced that a state-of-the-art youth centre would be built on the site as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal – the town's pioneering regeneration programme.

Horizon Youth Zone, a purpose-built youth centre with excellent facilities and brand-new equipment, has just opened and it is a safe, warm, welcoming, and fun space for all North East Lincolnshire’s young people. 

With at least 20 activities on offer seven days a week, the space offers young people a chance to have fun, get out of their comfort zone and try new things. 

“This is a beacon of ambition and opportunity,” said Lucy Ottewell-Key, Horizon Youth Zone’s Chief Executive Officer. 

“For most of my lifetime, this building was a burnt-out shell,” said Lucy, who was also born and bred in Grimsby. 

“Nobody believes anything like this is going to happen around here until it happens. Now the community's saying, ‘Okay, it happened – and it looks amazing!” 

Lucy is a firm believer that the combination of the regeneration of the old buildings, the social benefits for the area’s young people, and the centre’s economic impact – the Youth Zone has a paid staff of 61 people – will all have a transformative effect on our shared hometown. 

“I hope we are the catalyst for the next phase of Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire’s development,” she said. 

Ørsted is proud to have supported the Youth Zone on its journey so far and passionate about continuing to make a positive impact on the local community where so many of our employees live with their families. A team of almost 700 people work out of our  East Coast Hub at Grimsby’s Royal Dock and Humberside Airport. 

As part of that ongoing support, we’re sponsoring the Youth Zone’s “Enterprise and Employability Suite” as well as its “Makers’ Space.” With a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM), the purpose of the rooms is to give young people the space, opportunity and tools to explore new ideas and find their passions – whatever they may be. 

The Youth Zone building is a beautiful blend of the old and new. The rejuvenation of the Grade II listed building is both a celebration of Grimsby’s rich heritage and an investment in its future: its young people. And they were part of its development every step of the way.