A £150,000 overhaul of one of Grimsby’s cherished businesses has been completed as expansion plans are revealed.
The Grade II listed Alfred Enderby Smokehouse has undergone a significant refurbishment as a further grant has now been secured for a neighbouring property.
The former Marconi building on the Grimsby port estate is to undergo structural repairs, allowing the celebrated traditional smoker to expand into it. Plans are being drawn up to create a larger, more accessible space, for group visits and tours, while also enhancing operations.
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Enderby’s previous owner was at the forefront of securing protected geographical status for the town’s curing method, putting the haddock and salmon in the same bracket as champagne, Cornish pasties and Melton Mowbray pork pies.
Supplying top restaurants and leading chefs alongside selected retailers, the prestige has been pushed forward by Patrick Salmon, a long-standing customer who took over from the second generation Enderby in 2016.
Originally constructed as a smithy between 1896 and 1905, it was converted into a smokehouse after the First World War. Work on the building began last September, led by a Grimsby building firm that pre-dates it, ES Rudkin Ltd. The traditional chimney cowls were cleaned and repaired, with cast iron rainwater gutters and downpipes installed. Other historic features were also reinstated while security was improved.
The final element has been the painting and traditional signwriting of the feature gable wall by Grimsby-based Creative Start Arts in Health CIC.
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Patrick Salmon, managing director of Enderby's, said: “It’s fantastic to see the work completed on the main building to secure it for years to come, and the signwriting is literally the cherry on the proverbial cake – it looks amazing.
"As a business, we put our heart and soul into everything that we do and for many years we have made it our mission to restore the beauty of our building to relfect the quality of our prducts. the traditional signwriting mirrors our packaging and reflects our traditional smoking methods, which is what we are famous for.
“We’re working on our plans for the future and the second building so that we can involve the community and visitors more in learning about the traditional processes and our work.”
The grant money will be used to remove the PVC windows and doors, reinstate more authentic Crittal-style windows on the first floor, repair the roof, repair and repoint the masonry and install new cast iron rainwater works.
Simon Bird, Humber director of port-owner ABP, said: “It’s great to see this historic building being revitalised and renovated. This smokehouse has been a landmark for many years on the Port of Grimsby and it’s right to see its unique character restored, as part of instilling pride in this part of the port known as the Kasbah. Patrick Salmon has done much to promote the wider seafood industry in Grimsby and the art of cold-smoking, and we look forward to continuing to work with him for many years to come.”
The work has been funded by the Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas funding, as part of the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone. The scheme has a total pot of £1 million and is a joint project between Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council, with support from ABP.
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, NELC’s cabinet member for tourism, heritage and culture, said: “I’ve been down to see the building and it looks marvellous. We have a deep history in our ports, and Grimsby is known worldwide for its smoked fish. Enderby’s is one of a few remaining traditional smokehouses that keep this work going.
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“This area of the port is a unique place, and we must continue to look at how to make it safe and welcoming to work in. There are many different sectors starting to use the older buildings and help to revitalise the port area, which can only be a good thing – we must help protect our port, and be proud of it.”
David Walsh, principal inspector of historic buildings and areas at Historic England, added: “The completion of the works to Enderby’s smokehouse is a key milestone in the regeneration of the historic docks. The new signwriting by Creative Start highlights the importance of the smokehouse in Grimsby. Enderbys, together with the recent conservation works on nearby buildings, now forms a striking entrance to the Kasbah conservation area.”
Sam Delaney leads Creative Start, and was delighted to play a key part alongside member James Atkinson. He said: ““To be involved in the signwriting for one of the most iconic gable ends in Grimsby is just brilliant. The results really do speak for themselves - the style of the work perfectly complements the traditional processes used in the smokehouse.”