In 1885 "Kelly's Directory" describes Laceby as a "well-built village" in the Parliamentary borough of Great Grimsby, with an 1881 population of 1,017. The parish area was , in which was grown chiefly wheat, oats, barley and turnips. Commercial occupations included five farmers, three of whom pursued other trades as butcher, cattle dealer, or miller. There were three market gardeners, two butchers, one of whom was a cattle dealer, two shoe makers, two grocer & drapers, two carriers, a blacksmith, wheelwright, saddler, beer retailer, baker, miller, flour dealer, coal dealer, tailor, builder, joiner, carpenter, a machinist & steam thrashing machine proprietor, a publican at the Waterloo Inn public house, and a bailiff to one of the major landowners. The sub-postmaster was also a pharmaceutical chemist and insurance agent. The village contained a post office and Stanford's Charity School.