Town Centre Transformation in Scunthorpe: Shaping a New Future

Full STEAM Ahead

Inspiring children in science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM) through hands-on experiences, the £2.5 million interactive gallery, Discover@20-21, has been created with support from the Government’s Towns Fund. The future-focused children’s learning centre in Scunthorpe forms part of an £80m plan for major projects thanks to Government Levelling Up Funding secured for Humber by North Lincolnshire Council.

A bold and immersive space for families to experiment, build, play and explore, Discover@20-21 encourages the next generation of artists, inventors, scientists and engineers. A colourful hands-on space, the centre gives children the chance to explore STEAM careers and see how imagination and innovation can shape the world around them. Visitors can build landscapes of light, solve circuit mazes, experience optical illusions. test their balance on wobbly towers, play with glowing light tables, and experiment with magnetic walls.

The interactive STEAM-focused gallery adds to Scunthorpe’s 20-21 Visual Arts Centre. Free to visit, this visual arts space presents a diverse programme of contemporary art and design, including works by world-renowned artists and groups traditionally underrepresented in mainstream galleries.

Discover@20-21 welcomed over 5,000 visitors in its first two months. It builds on the success of the town’s previous Discover events, which focused on raising aspirations through interactive activities and science experiments.

Councillor Rob Waltham, Leader, North Lincolnshire Council explains:

“When we first talked about creating Discover, we were convinced it had huge potential. We could picture how children would use it, how schools and families would benefit, and how it would bring something genuinely new to the area. Now it’s open and thriving, it’s clear it’s doing exactly that – and it’s also helping to revitalise the town centre. “

Heritage Reimagined

Essential and sympathetic repairs to one of the town’s significant landmarks, the Grade II* listed St John’s Church, have been carried out as part of the Scunthorpe regeneration project.

One of the area’s key heritage sites, the building is now back to full use and preserved for years to come. Many of the church’s original features have been restored using historical evidence and given new leases of life. The church’s chancel window for example, is now a playful canvas where budding artists can see their digital paintings, patterns, and puzzles displayed.

Supported by Government Levelling Up investment, the development is part of a wider vision for Scunthorpe town centre, designed to help the town flourish and attract more visitors, as Councillor Waltham explains:

"We’re making Scunthorpe a real destination again, with Discover sitting alongside forward-thinking policies like our free car parking policy and grants and support for local businesses and start-ups.”

"The transformation continues with the new Elizabeth Quarter building, which is bringing health services right into the heart of the community, a new police station, and The Imaginarium – an amazing destination restaurant. All these pieces work together, showing our commitment to creating a town centre that has energy, opportunity and pride at its core.”

Evolution for Place and Purpose

A new evolution for Scunthorpe’s centre, this resourceful, community-led regeneration is one of Humber’s key Towns Fund projects. Redefining the town as a destination while raising aspirations, the development is inspiring Humber’s next generation of changemakers.