Grimsby Ice Factory
The Grimsby Ice Factory is a former factory located in
seaport.[1][2] The Grimsby Ice Factory engaged in operations up to 1990.[1] The buildings still contain some of the original historic machinery from times of the operations' origins.[1][3] During its time of prime operations, it produced 1,200 tonnes of ice daily.[3] The building is 4,350 square metres in size, and at one time it was the largest ice factory in the world.[2] The building is deteriorating, and it has been stated that it will eventually crumble if restoration efforts are not undertaken.[4] Furthermore, historic machinery at the site is at risk from exposure to the elements, because the roof is not watertight.[4]
Operations
The factory used four Pontifex
compressors that were powered by steam produced from Lancashire boilers.[5] Ice production increased in 1933, when electrical generators replaced the steam power source.[5] Upon the introduction of electricity, two Linde ammonia compressors that were being used were replaced with "four four-cylinder vertical valve ammonia compressors" manufactured by J & E Hall.[5] These latter J & E Hall compressors remain inside the building today, and have been described as "the sole surviving example of this type of equipment".[5]
The factory used a system of metal cans filled with water that were lowered into a tank filled with a calcium chloride brine solution.seaport.[5]
- Grimsby Ice Factory operations
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Compressors at the factory in 1990 -
A close-up view of a compressor at the factory in 1990 -
Slabs of manufactured ice at the factory prior to being crushed, 1990
Historical significance
The structure and equipment at the Grimsby Ice Factory site is an important part of Grimsby's
World Monuments Watch list, a global list of "buildings of historical importance that are risk of being lost to the elements".[7][8] The structure has been considered as "the oldest and largest surviving of its type in the world".[2] Furthermore, the building has been listed on the 'Heritage At Risk Register', managed by the English Heritage, an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government, since 2008.[2]
In contemporary times
In March 2015, Grimsby residents suggested that the factory be covered to hide it from view during the upcoming World Seafood Congress event in September, with the rationale that the deteriorating building could denigrate the town's image.[9] Graeme Bassett, secretary of the Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust, suggested that the building could be covered temporarily or that scaffolding could be erected as a solution regarding concerns about the site being an eyesore.[9]
Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust
The site is managed in part by the Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust.Heritage Lottery Fund, but the request was denied.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Grimsby Ice Factory renovation plans unveiled". BBC News. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Factfile: Grimsby Ice Factory and Kasbah". ITV. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Grimsby Ice House is treasure worth saving, says BBC documentary Restoring England's Heritage". Grimsby Telegraph. 8 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "The Grimsby Ice Factory, Gorton Street, The Docks, Grimsby". The Victorian Society. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Historical ammonia ice production at Grimsby Ice Factory". Ammonia21. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1379842)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Ice Factory Trust hoping for heritage funding". ITV. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Grimsby Ice Factory 'at risk'". ITV. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Grimsby's derelict Ice Factory could be covered up!". Grimsby Telegraph. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ a b "How to solve a problem like a crumbling building". The Yorkshire Post. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
Further reading
- "Grimsby Ice Factory: Bulldoze It or Call in Banksy!". Grimsby Telegraph. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grimsby Ice Factory.
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust. TV4Change. |
- Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust
- The Grimsby Ice Factory - Public Debate. Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Civic Society.