Grimsby Ice Factory, Industrial ice factory in Grimsby, England
Grimsby Ice Factory is an ice-making facility built in the early 1900s housed in a large red-brick structure. Beneath its roof are original cooling machines and a network of pipes and tanks that once produced ice in massive quantities.
The building was constructed between 1900 and 1903 to meet growing demand for ice in Grimsby's thriving fishing harbor. The facility used ammonia-based cooling technology that was modern and efficient for its time.
The factory was deeply tied to Grimsby's identity as a fishing hub and shaped the lives of workers and their families for generations. The machinery and spaces still reflect the hard work and technical innovations that made fishing possible at this scale.
Access can be difficult as the building currently requires restoration work and the roof is damaged. Visitors should check in advance whether the building is open for viewing and what safety precautions need to be followed.
At its peak the facility produced massive amounts of ice daily using a system of metal containers immersed in brine solution cooled by ammonia-chilled pipes. This method was revolutionary for its time and allowed fishermen to transport catches over long distances.
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