Since 2018, Grimsby’s pioneering craft brewery, Docks Beers, had staged several sold out gigs, plays and exhibitions in its taproom.

Its limited capacity meant lots of people missed out on some great nights of entertainment. The idea to convert the vacant first floor above Docks Beers into a performance venue was naturally born and the Directors sought help from a social enterprise called the Key Fund to secure funding and a loan to build a venue. Key Fund has been selected to distribute the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund (created by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, or DCMS) to creative organisations that provide a meaningful social impact in their local communities.

Opening in March 2020, the Docks Academy will bring the best in live music, theatre, comedy, dance, lectures, workshops and exhibitions to North East Lincolnshire. As well as being a grassroots music and comedy venue, we aim to bring big artists and acts to Grimsby. We intend to increase our community’s access to culture and the arts. In addition to ticketed events our venue is available for corporate and private events.