A new initiative on Grimsby Fish Dock is helping support local fishermen and their families while bringing fresh life back to a key part of the town’s fishing heritage.
Our Port Staff work every day to strengthen local relationships and provide practical support for active and retired fishermen. In Grimsby, where the town’s fishing history still echoes through the streets, a new partnership is already making a difference for the fishing community.
A new base for Fishermen’s Mission welfare in Grimsby
Our new office on Grimsby Fish Dock puts us at the heart of the community we serve. The once quiet dockside buildings have been revitalised, and our office now sits above the welcoming new café, Coffee on the Docks.
“Our new office is a real beacon of support for Grimsby’s active and retired fishermen,” says Suesan Brown, our Grimsby Area Officer. “Being here makes it easier for fishing families to drop in for advice or help whenever they need it.”
‘Coffee behind the counter’ scheme supports fishing families
Local businessman and developer Steve Ridlington and his wife Caroline, who both grew up in Grimsby, are helping to bring the community together. Inspired by a desire to give back to the town that raised them, they launched the innovative “coffee behind the counter” scheme at Coffee on the Docks.
Through this scheme, customers can leave a drink for someone else instead of a tip, so any fisherman or family member in need can enjoy a warm beverage free of charge. Plans are also underway for a small food bank located near the Fishermen’s Mission welfare centre on the docks, offering further support to fishing families in the area.
Strengthening the fishing community in Grimsby
Suesan says partnerships like this are vital for the wellbeing of the local fishing community.
“Steve and Caroline are strong advocates for the work the Fishermen’s Mission undertakes in Grimsby and are working closely with us on fundraising and community initiatives,” she explains. “Local partnerships like this bring together both passion and compassion, which is exactly what the fishing community needs.”
Even though Grimsby’s fishing industry is not what it once was, many locals still feel a strong connection to it. “It can sometimes feel like the heart has been ripped out of the community,” Suesan says. “But there are still many who have that intrinsic link to fishing and are proud to call themselves Codheads.”
Like them, we are proud to have the Fishermen’s Mission flag flying once again on Grimsby Fish Dock, providing practical support and care for fishermen and their families across the UK.
