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Red plaque trail highlights town treasures

Amber Gashand
David Reeves,in Grimsby and Cleethorpes
News imageBBC A man, wearing a burgundy polo shirt, smiles holding a bright red circular plaque that reads: 'Love Your Town, Signal Box Inn, the best place to end your walk, Cleethorpes 2026'. In the background is a cream building called 'The Smallest Pub on the Planet'.BBC
Peter Bryant, of the Signal Box Inn in Cleethorpes, says it is amazing to be recognised by the community

A trail has launched across two towns showcasing points of interest.

Red plaques have been awarded to businesses and community assets around Grimsby and Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, as part of the Love Your Town Red Plaque Trail, which encouraged residents to nominate spaces and places that matter the most to them.

Inspired by the blue plaques seen across the UK that recognise sites of historical importance, sixteen locations have been chosen from 49 nominations and people are being encouraged to take on the trail by following an online interactive map.

Organiser Lizzie Atkin said the reaction had been "really positive".

Atkin added: "People have loved the idea of having their say and seeing their favourite places recognised.

"There's a real sense of pride in it both from the businesses involved and from the people who nominated them.

"Ultimately, it's creating conversations, encouraging exploration and reminding people of what's great about their local area."

News imageWoman with long blonde hair smiles to camera. She is wearing a dark, navy jacket with her name 'Lily' embroidered into it. In the background The Barge, a bright mint green boat with red detailing around the glass windows can be seen. There is also a close-up picture of the red plaque which reads: 'Love Your Town, The Barge, Best pub in the North, Grimsby 2026'.
Staff at The Barge, in Grimsby, are excited to have been nominated by customers

The Barge, in Grimsby, dubbed by the project as "the best pub in the North", proudly display the red plaque on the door of their entrance.

Bartender Lily Crooks, 23, said: "We're like a family. All of my regulars, we have a strong connection with all of them.

"I think it's the best pub in the world."

News imageA woman wearing a neutral-toned cap and brown hair smiles to the camera. She is wearing a black T-shirt with the words 'Nunny's Farm' printed in white text on her chest. She is stood on the farm where pig pens are in the background amongst other enclosures.
Ashleigh Stevenson at Nunny's Farm, in Grimsby

A community urban farm, based on the Nunsthorpe estate, also won a plaque.

Nunny's Farm has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since opening in 2021. It works with veterans and schoolchildren, runs a mini-farmers' club and rescues unwanted animals.

Ashleigh Stevenson, 35, who works at the farm, said: "We all work so hard for the community and the children we have through the doors.

"It's more than a job to me. I really don't know what we'd do without this place here."

News imageA woman smiles, with shoulder-length brunette hair, holding the red plaque which reads: 'Love your town, Cleethorpes Library, A safe space for children, Cleethorpes 2026'. She is photographed down an aisle of books in a library.
Cleethorpes Library has been awarded a plaque for being a safe space for children

Cleethorpes Library was nominated by a young boy who attends sensory play events made for children with hearing loss.

Operations manager Anna Brader said the boy heard for the first time at one of the sessions.

"We're over the moon. It's great to have it and to have that advocacy for our service and what we do for the children."

The project has been developed by Checkmate Productions in partnership with Discover North East Lincolnshire's Love Your Town programme.

In total, 49 nominations were received and 16 of those won:

  • Caxton Theatre
  • Bare Street Kitchen
  • The Barge
  • Gullies
  • Riverhead Coffee x2
  • Nunny's Farm
  • Weelsby Woods
  • People's Park
  • Signal Box Inn
  • Nasturtium Bistro
  • Meridian Cafe
  • Empire Theatre
  • Amore
  • Cleethorpes Library
  • Old Wonderland Market

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