A NEW 3,500 capacity concert venue and conference centre with a four-star hotel is set to be built in Hull city centre. Derelict land between the Princes Quay shopping centre, Myton Street and Castle Street has been earmarked for the ambitious £42m project by Hull City Council.
The new venue would create 500 new long-term jobs if, as expected, it is given the go-ahead.
The council would foot the £30m bill to build the venue, which would stage exhibitions, events and concerts. Princes Quay owner CIT would develop the neighbouring 150-bed four-star hotel.![concert1]()
An artist's impression of the new venue
The announcement follows reports earlier this year that Hull would try to host the Baftas in 2017 at a new concert venue.
However, the project now likely to go-ahead will not be ready for 2017 and City of Culture.
Council cabinet member Councillor Steven Bayes said: "A high-quality, purpose-built events and conference centre is absolutely essential to making Hull a top visitor destination." The venue and hotel complex would be sited on land next to Princes Quay.
The city council is working with shopping centre owner CIT and its Hull-based development partner Wykeland to get the project off the ground.
The buildings will be not be ready for the city's year in the spotlight as the 2017 UK City of Culture, with building not expected to start until 2018.
Instead, council leaders say the development will be a 2017 legacy project, giving a long-term boost to Hull's economy.
Lasdt week the council also unveiled plans for a £25m redevelopment of Hull city-centre.
The council is now setting aside another £30m as its contribution, making it the authority's biggest capital project since the construction of the KC Stadium.
The site was previously earmarked for a £200m mixed retail and leisure scheme which fell by the wayside as a result of the recession.
The new proposals include:• A 3,500-capacity conference and events centre.• A 150-bed hotel.• A new pedestrian entrance into Princes Quay.• Enhanced landscaping.![concert2]()
The site of the new venue, looking from princes Quay
Councillor Steven Bayes, cabinet portfolio holder for visitor destination, said: "A high-class conference and events facility is something a city the size of Hull has long needed.
"Delivery of one has always been seen as a problem in the past because of the high capital costs and the potential revenue implications but we believe the time is right to show that Hull has the confidence to deliver on something like this.
"It is a lot of money but we are convinced it will also bring a large amount of money into the Hull economy.
"We will formally hand over the City of Culture 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."
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."
Under the current proposals, CIT would be responsible for the hotel development.
It's hoped the hotel, which is earmarked for a spot overlooking Castle Street, could attract a four-start operator.
The conference centre would be capable of hosting a wide range of events, from exhibitions to music concerts and trade shows.
Garry Taylor, the council's assistant head of strategy and renewal, said the proposed capacity had been agreed to meet the requirement of the UK market for shows, conferences and concerts.
The proposals will go before the council's cabinet later this month and, if approved, construction work could start next year.
An artist's impression of the new venue
The announcement follows reports earlier this year that Hull would try to host the Baftas in 2017 at a new concert venue.
However, the project now likely to go-ahead will not be ready for 2017 and City of Culture.
Council cabinet member Councillor Steven Bayes said: "A high-quality, purpose-built events and conference centre is absolutely essential to making Hull a top visitor destination." The venue and hotel complex would be sited on land next to Princes Quay.
The city council is working with shopping centre owner CIT and its Hull-based development partner Wykeland to get the project off the ground.
The buildings will be not be ready for the city's year in the spotlight as the 2017 UK City of Culture, with building not expected to start until 2018.
Instead, council leaders say the development will be a 2017 legacy project, giving a long-term boost to Hull's economy.
Lasdt week the council also unveiled plans for a £25m redevelopment of Hull city-centre.
The council is now setting aside another £30m as its contribution, making it the authority's biggest capital project since the construction of the KC Stadium.
The site was previously earmarked for a £200m mixed retail and leisure scheme which fell by the wayside as a result of the recession.
The new proposals include:• A 3,500-capacity conference and events centre.• A 150-bed hotel.• A new pedestrian entrance into Princes Quay.• Enhanced landscaping.
The site of the new venue, looking from princes Quay
Councillor Steven Bayes, cabinet portfolio holder for visitor destination, said: "A high-class conference and events facility is something a city the size of Hull has long needed.
"Delivery of one has always been seen as a problem in the past because of the high capital costs and the potential revenue implications but we believe the time is right to show that Hull has the confidence to deliver on something like this.
"It is a lot of money but we are convinced it will also bring a large amount of money into the Hull economy.
"We will formally hand over the City of Culture 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."
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."
Under the current proposals, CIT would be responsible for the hotel development.
It's hoped the hotel, which is earmarked for a spot overlooking Castle Street, could attract a four-start operator.
The conference centre would be capable of hosting a wide range of events, from exhibitions to music concerts and trade shows.
Garry Taylor, the council's assistant head of strategy and renewal, said the proposed capacity had been agreed to meet the requirement of the UK market for shows, conferences and concerts.
The proposals will go before the council's cabinet later this month and, if approved, construction work could start next year.