We’ve got some big news from downstairs – and it could mean some very big things for events at Docks.
Docks Beers has submitted plans for a major expansion into the neighbouring building on King Edward Street, which will include a brand new 585m² flexible events space called The Warehouse.
The development will connect directly to our existing home in The Church and will also introduce a new Food Hall, independent coffee shop, retail space and new facilities across the expanded Docks site.
The Warehouse is the part we’re particularly excited about at Docks Academy.
At approximately 585m², it will be around two and a half times the floor area of the existing Academy and will give us a type of space we’ve never had before.
The plans retain the open character and generous height of the existing warehouse, creating a large flexible space suitable for everything from markets, exhibitions and festivals to conferences, corporate events, weddings, private functions and large-scale entertainment.
Rather than being designed around one particular type of event, The Warehouse will be able to change depending on what’s happening inside it.
Docks Academy isn’t going anywhere.
Our venue upstairs in The Church will continue to host the gigs, comedy and events you already know us for.
The Warehouse is about adding another option.
There are plenty of events we’ve wanted to bring to Docks over the years that simply don’t work within the size or layout of the Academy. A 585m² open warehouse gives us much more flexibility and means we’ll be able to look at completely different types of events alongside our existing programme.
It also means the wider Docks site could host several different things at once, with the Academy, Warehouse, Food Hall and Taproom all forming part of the same destination.
While live entertainment will be one possibility for The Warehouse, the plans go much further than gigs.
The space is intended to open Docks up to more of the local community, businesses and event organisers, with the potential for exhibitions, artisan and pop-up markets, conferences, festivals, corporate functions, weddings and private celebrations.
It’s something there has been demand for for some time. The planning submission notes the need for a flexible covered space capable of accommodating markets, exhibitions and events which simply can’t be hosted within the existing Docks premises.
The Warehouse forms part of a much wider expansion of Docks Beers.
Alongside it will sit The Food Hall, a new 220m² space incorporating independent food operators, coffee, seating and Docks Beers retail.
A new main entrance will physically connect the neighbouring building to The Church, meaning visitors will be able to access the Taproom, brewery, Food Hall, Warehouse and Docks Academy from one connected site.
The Church itself will remain externally unchanged.
The plans have now been submitted and will go through the planning process, so there’s plenty still to happen before The Warehouse becomes a reality.
But it’s a major step towards what we want Docks to become – not just somewhere you come for a gig, but a destination capable of hosting a much wider programme of events right here in Grimsby.
And we’ve got plenty of ideas.
We’ll be sharing more about The Warehouse and the wider Docks Beers expansion as the plans progress.
Watch this space.
That’s it for now, but in the meantime, you can keep up to date with all the latest information from Docks Academy by following us on social media.
Instagram @docksacademy
Facebook @docksacademy
Newsletter Sign Up Form
Up-to-date Listings docksacademy.com