Councillor Carmine Grimshaw
Councillor Carmine Grimshaw was born and raised in Ancoats, living initially on Jersey Street, before moving to Chippenham Road following the slum clearances in the mid-sixties. He lived there with his father Brian, mother Jean, twin brother Brian, and sister Maria. Carmine attended Saint Michael’s RC Primary School on George Leigh Street and went on to Saint Luke’s Secondary School in Beswick.
Carmine left school at age 16 to start an apprenticeship as a sewing machine mechanic at Raffles & Co in Ancoats. In the early 1980s, Raffles sadly closed its doors, and in 1983 he applied for his Street Trading license and started trading on Thomas Street in what is now called the Northern Quarter, working alongside his grandmother and uncles. In 1990 Carmine formalised the ‘Manchester Street Traders Association’ to support Street Traders in their battle to remain trading within the City.
In 1993, Carmine and his twin brother Brian, with the help of their friend and former Lord Mayor, the late Cllr Hugh Barrett, opened a convenience store in Newton Heath which they ran for many years. During his time at the convenience store, Carmine chaired the A-5 Off-Licence Forum, working alongside Manchester City Council officers and partners. The aim of the forum was to educate licensees about their social responsibilities following the introduction of the 2003 Licensing Act and to reduce alcohol related harm.
After taking a step back from the store, Carmine worked with Manchester Leisure as part of the Positive Futures Team and was responsible for running the Truancy Program along with coordinating several other projects. Carmine’s civic responsibilities began when he was first elected as a Labour Councillor in 2012. Since then, he has been dedicated to representing the residents of Miles Platting and Newton Heath Ward and addressing their concerns. During his 13 years of uninterrupted service he has served on numerous committees and working groups, including the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee and Licensing Policy Committee, where he has held the position of Deputy and Chair.
Carmine married Elaine in 1993. They have twin sons, Carmine and Louis, and youngest son, Jack, as well as three grandchildren, Zara and twins Honey and Rico.
During his year as Lord Mayor, Carmine aims to support and raise the profile of local good causes, particular those supporting dementia and cancer care.