A window into the Grimsby of yesteryear has been uncovered – from scraps of leather shoes to fish bones – building a unique picture of the development of the Lincolnshire port town.
The discoveries were made by a team from York Archaeology during excavations at the Freshney Place redevelopment, close to the historic Flottergate area. The finds were uncovered before construction to install a large attenuation tank as part of flood-prevention measures at the site.
Located around 2–3 metres below modern sea level, the excavation has provided a rare opportunity to explore how people lived more than 500 years ago. Among the most striking finds are preserved leather fragments, alongside pottery and fish remains, which suggest the area was once home to a leather-working workshop in the heart of the town.
Experts believe the site would have been part of a busy medieval marketplace. While the area has evolved over centuries, its core role within the town has remained much the same, adapting to the needs of each new generation.
The excavation began in October last year and concluded in early February 2026. It was commissioned on the recommendation of the local planning authority and council heritage officer to ensure any significant remains from Grimsby’s past were identified before redevelopment began.
BWB Consulting coordinated the archaeological works as part of the Freshney Place project. Phil Moore, Principal Archaeology Consultant, explained: “The wet nature of this site meant there was always the potential for preserved organic material such as wood or leather. Although you might expect damp conditions to cause decay, the lack of oxygen in the soil actually prevents the microorganisms responsible for decomposition from surviving.”
Council Heritage Officer Louise Jennings said the finds add valuable detail to the town’s story. “On first inspection, this appears to have been a leather-working area, similar to sites we’ve uncovered in previous digs elsewhere in the town. You can easily imagine people making leather aprons or shoes here. Given the site’s proximity to the sea, it’s no surprise to find oyster shells and fish bones, as fish and shellfish would have formed a large part of the local diet.”
She added: “It’s easy to picture people working in the workshop and stopping to eat fish for their lunch.”
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Heritage, described the discoveries as “truly fascinating”. “Knowing that an entire world lies beneath our feet is extraordinary. Being able to uncover and understand it is a privilege for the Council and for the borough as a whole. I would love to see these items returned to the town and displayed in a future exhibition, so people can see them – and perhaps even handle them.”
He added: “Understanding our past is vital if we are to teach younger generations how the Grimsby of today came to be.”
About the site
Great Grimsby was first recorded in writing in 866 AD. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, around 33 families were living along the banks of the River Haven. On 11 March 1201, the town was granted its Charter, establishing governance by a mayor and giving Grimsby its own court and local government.
During the 12th century, Grimsby developed into a thriving fishing and trading port. While fishing was central to its economy, ships also brought timber from Norway and wine from Spain and France. Wool was exported, while coal arrived by sea from Newcastle. At its peak, Grimsby ranked 12th in importance to the Crown in terms of tax revenue.
The excavation site, next to the historic street Flottergate, sits around 2–3 metres below modern ground level and is thought to represent the medieval ground surface, dating from approximately 450 AD to 1600 AD.
Flottergate was once a bustling part of the town centre, with the nearby Bullring forming a major livestock market and lying close to the town’s religious heart between Grimsby Minster and the Augustinian Friary.
Sources : North East Lincolnshire Council
