SHOPPERS FLEE AS CONCRETE LUMP FALLS 40FT FROM FRESHNEY PLACE

Two people narrowly missed by falling debris Part of busy Victoria Street cordoned off

SHOPPERS were forced to flee to safety when a chunk of render fell 40ft from Freshney Place. Victoria Street was busy with post lockdown shoppers when the incident happened this morning - with the concrete, which shattered when it it the ground - narrowly y missing businessman Heath Johnson.

There were around 15 people walking near the west gateway to the precinct at the time. Mr Johnson was walking from m Barclays Bank along Old Market t Place at about 10am when the e concrete fell from above the Market Hall entrance to the Grimsby y shopping centre.

He said: ”There was an almighty y bang. Someone would have been n killed If they were under that. “The large piece shattered into smaller bits and flew along the precinct. We all looked at each other. There was a woman who was just a few feet away from it. People left the area quickly. I reported it and it cordoned off.” The 51-year-old who runs Heath and Hygiene carpet cleaning business, added: “A couple of seconds and I could have been under it. It was frightening to see it happen. At the end of the day someone could have been killed. They need to shut the entrance off. It is falling apart. More could fall down.” He ran in to tell security staff

who set up a cordon, which remains in place. Another crack has since appeared in the concrete fascia, prompting fears more of the crumbling concrete will fall.

It is understood safety netting is due to be installed this week.

Amanda Austin, centre director at Freshney Place said: “We were made aware of a piece of render falling from the building this m morning at 10am.

“We immediately cord doned off and made the area safe and our maintenance team are currently dealing with the situation.”

North East Lincolnshire Council and Freshney Place have drawn up plans for a multi-million redevelopment of the western entrance which is due to house a cinema and new food hall.

It was frightening to see it happen. At the end of the day someone could have been killed. They need to shut the entrance off. It is falling apart. More could fall down

Heath Johnson

Freshney Place entrance before the concrete render fell from the wall near to the Market Hall entrance. Below, the crumbling render.

Above, the Freshney Place entrance before the concrete render fell from the wall near to the Market Hall entrance. Below, the crumbling render. Left, Heath Johnson, who was narrowly missed by the falling debris.