Plans for new £42m events and hotel complex revealed
PLANS for a new £42m events, conference centre and four-star hotel complex in Hull have been revealed.
At least 500 jobs will be created as a direct result of the development, which will inject £16.4m into the local economy every year.
The preferred site for the new development is in the heart of the city centre to the west of Princes Quay, close to the Marina. The main auditorium will have the capacity to hold audiences of at least 3,500.
The development of the £30m events and conference venue will be led by Hull City Council and funded through its City Plan budget for major capital projects.
The Council is working with Princes Quay owners, CIT, and its partners, Hull-based Wykeland Group, to finalise land assembly and to bring forward adjacent commercial development, including the potential of a £12m four-star hotel.
Councillor Steven Bayes, portfolio holder for visitor destination and City of Culture, said: “A high-quality, purpose-built events and conference centre is absolutely essential to making Hull a top visitor destination and to ensuring that we make the most of the legacy of our City of Culture status.
“Put simply, a city of Hull’s size needs a facility such as this. We will formally hand over the title to another city in 2020, but this development will allow us to attract events capable of delivering a big economic impact beyond that.
“Most importantly, it will deliver 500 long-term jobs for our local workforce and young people, which is part of the legacy that we want to deliver for Hull and the economic future we need.”
Alongside other major investments in the city centre, including the regeneration of the Fruit Market and a recently announced £25m public realm programme, the new development represents a huge step up in Hull’s offer as a business and tourist destination. Together, they will increase annual visitor spend by more than £30m annually.
Chris Orr, managing director of asset management at CIT, said: “We and our partners, the Wykeland Group, are delighted to be working closely with Hull City Council on such an important and strategic scheme to the city. These are exciting times for Hull and we look forward to playing an important role in what will be part of the City of Culture legacy.”
Garry Taylor, Hull City Council’s assistant head of service for strategy and renewal added: “The regeneration and improvements already in the pipeline for the Fruit Market and city centre public realm will provide a huge boost to the city, but it’s clear that a conference and events centre of this size is another important piece of the long-term regeneration jigsaw.
“The new development will make Hull more attractive to a range of potential investors and provides another opportunity to improve perceptions of the city.”
Anja Hazebroek, board member of the Bondholders marketing organisation which promotes Hull and the Humber, and communications manager of Vivergo Fuels, said: “We are delighted to see major projects such as this being brought forward and applaud Hull City Council’s commitment of significant funds to enhance the city’s leisure, tourism and business facilities. Vivergo Fuels has invested £350m in the city and this is exactly the type of investment that creates a thriving environment for us to do business here.”
Gareth Russell, Bondholders board member and Associated British Ports Business development manager, Humber, said: “With unprecedented levels of investment happening around the UK’s energy estuary, it’s vital we use the City of Culture title as a catalyst to make sure those businesses and their staff have more opportunities to spend their money here.”
