Capacity boost approved for Cleethorpes venue

The capacity of Cleethorpes' Meridian Showground will triple from 5,000 to 15,000, a councillor has said.

North East Lincolnshire Council previously said it was actively looking at expanding the council-owned event venue's capacity, identifying it as an income opportunity.

At a full council meeting on Thursday, councillor Hayden Dawkins, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and the visitor economy, said the showground was not being used to its full potential.

However, he said the council had now received the necessary permission for the increase, and hoped it "would attract bigger artists and events to the showground", with a "massive" knock-on effect for businesses and hotels.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, permission was also granted for a management plan to cover traffic at the venue and the increased capacity.

It states: "A larger capacity at the Meridian Showground enhances the competitiveness of the resort within the events industry."

The venue has previously hosted artists such as Razorlight and Frank Turner, with Ella Henderson performing a sold-out homecoming show last year.

At the time, Dawkins said: "Her [Ella Henderson] appearance helps to put [the venue] on the map, and our ambition is to attract more artists of this calibre into Cleethorpes."

Dawkins made the announcement on the showground's capacity in response to a question about nearby Grimsby's bid to be the first-ever UK Town of Culture in 2028.

Councillor Ian Lindley asked whether the town was a serious contender and what it would mean to the local area.

In response, Dawkins said: "In recent days, Boston and Skegness have both entered the competition, along with many other towns across the UK," adding the competition would be "fierce".

However, backing Grimsby to win it, he said: "We have so much going on for us in our area, which is untapped at the moment."

Dawkins added winning would lead to "national acclaim and coverage", as well as a greater chance of securing further investment in arts, culture and heritage."

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