Morris & Co has helped transform a derelict former bank into a welcoming community centre.
The fabric and wallpaper brand donated products to Christian Action & Resource Enterprise for the reopening of 86-88 Victoria Street in Grimsby town centre as the CARE Hub.
In the first phase of funded restoration of the derelict historic building, the ground floor interior has been completely transformed into a welcoming space where anyone can walk in, sit down, and enjoy free refreshments. The space also provides crisis support and housing advice for those who need it. Located in the top 1% most deprived areas in the UK, visitors have already described the space as feeling like ‘a 5-star boutique hotel’ and ‘a stately home’.
Many local people have memories of using the building as a bank, meeting friends, and conducting everyday business there. Its closure in 2018 was felt across the community, and its subsequent decline into disrepair became a symbol of wider neglect in the town centre. CARE purchased the building in July 2023 and has spent the past two years bringing it back to life. The ground floor is now complete, with a public living room, reception area, private crisis support rooms, and a small kitchenette. Phase two is underway to improve accessibility with a lift and central staircase. Phase three will complete the upper floors to provide additional space for groups, activities, and partner organisations.
‘We intentionally set out to create something different from the usual institutional feel of community centres. We believe people deserve beauty and dignity, especially when life is hard. This space tells people they matter from the moment they walk through the door,’ says Anne Bickerstaffe, CARE ceo.
‘It was important to create a dialogue with the past in this historic building, which has seen many lives. The layering of traditional Morris & Co. patterns helps to create an inviting, almost nostalgic Victorian feel, with a bold colour palette that echoes the warmth of these playful patterns. We reconfigured the ground floor to create an open plan and multifunctional space. Heritage details and this new layout now make for a warm and welcoming environment, bringing the building back to life and creating a place for the local community to gather,’ says Scott Maddux, interior designer.
‘Congratulations to Anne and the team at CARE, who have created a beautiful haven in Grimsby for people in need in their community. Scott, a talented designer and visionary, invited us to support this initiative and help him create an environment to make people feel better, bringing beauty into people’s homes and lives. To deliver joy through colour, pattern and good design is a rewarding testament to the commitment of our teams and everything we do at Sanderson Design Group,’ says Lisa Montague, Sanderson Design Group group ceo.
