The Victorian Society, a national charity campaigning for the preservation of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, has named the Grimsby Ice Factory as one of the ten most endangered buildings in England and Wales.
The list of ten was drawn up using nominations from members of the public following a nationwide appeal to find the country's best and most threatened buildings.
To be eligible a building has to be at risk, whether from demolition, insensitive development or as in the case of the Ice Factory, years of neglect.
'Once historic buildings like these are lost they cannot be replaced,' said Dr Ian Dungavell, director of the Victorian Society. 'Sadly these ten buildings are now seriously at risk, due to poor planning, stalled developments or simply neglect.'
Dr Dungavell added, 'It's vital that new uses are found for these buildings, as the longer they lie empty the harder they are to save.'
The plight of the Grimsby Ice Factory was first highlighted by
ACR News last year. The Grade ll listed building contains four huge J&E Hall ammonia compressors dating back to 1930.
Describing the Ice Factory, the Victorian Society said: 'This vast factory produced ice for Grimsby's fishing industry for 90 years. The building and its early 20th century ice machinery represent a key part of the town's fishing heritage. It closed down in 1990 and is now a derelict industrial building marooned on private land owned by Associated British Ports. The company has no plans to demolish the Grade II* listed factory, but if the neglect continues it will eventually crumble. Ice was last made here in 1990 but the historic machinery which produced it is now open to the elements as the roof is no longer watertight. Local campaigners would like to see the Ice Factory brought back to life as part of a wider regeneration of the docks but there is still a long way to go.'
Further information on the fight to save the Grimsby Ice Factory can be found at www.grimsbyice.co.uk