SUPPORTERS fighting to preserve the Grimsby Ice Factory are undeterred by the news that it could cost up to £5m to preserve the historic building and its unique, 80-year-old refrigeration equipment.
The survey of the existing structure commissioned by North East Lincolnshire Council and carried out by structural engineers Alan Baxter & Associates, Richard Griffiths Architects and quantity surveyors KMCS, reveals the extent of the deterioration of the property since it closed down in 1990.
The report comes up with a number of different options ranging from just over £1m for minimum essential works to shore-up the main building to £4.75m for a full repair of the both the main building and its 1910 extension.
But the Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust (GGIFT), the charitable body leading the fight to preserve the Grimsby Docks landmark, welcomed the report.
'The reports on the Grimsby Ice Factory are much more positive than might have been anticipated,' said chair Victoria Hartung.
'The Engineering Report concludes that, in spite of 20 years of neglect and vandalism, the building can be saved.
'We deduce from the detailed estimates that emergency temporary roofing and pigeon-proofing would cost between £400,000 and £500,000.'
The report recommends an options appraisal, the first step towards applying for development grants and, ultimately, funding for the entire project.
'A first class options appraisal might cost as much as £20,000, but could be the basis on which to apply for grants of many millions of pounds,' said Victoria Hartung.
'GGIFT intends to work hard to persuade ABP [Associated British Ports, the site owners] that there is a benefit in restoring the Factory, and convince North East Lincolnshire Council that their support could lead to further opportunities for regeneration,' she added.
The Grade-ll listed building is a very rare building type to survive. Built in 1901 and closed in 1990, it is substantially complete, and contains Britain's last surviving examples of in-situ early to mid 20th century refrigeration equipment. The jewel in the crown is the four huge J & E Hall ammonia compressors installed in 1931. They are probably the oldest, and the largest, to survive in the UK and possibly also Europe.