RETAILERS in Holderness Road are upset that the plans for a new retail park have been put on hold.
Businesses say the decision to abandon plans to develop land opposite the existing Mount Pleasant Retail Park has threatened regeneration in the area.
Developer Dransfield Properties blamed the tight restrictions placed on it by Hull City Council's planning officers as the reason for halting development.
Dave Pacey, owner of Hems Sew Soon, which is close to the proposed site, had hoped the development would regenerate the area.
He said: "It's a big blow for the east of Hull.
"I think it would have brought new visitors to east Hull, which would have benefited all the shops on Holderness Road.
"I have been here nine years now and since I arrived I have seen the footfall go down and down.
"Something needs to be done to stop that trend – it's time to develop Holderness Road."
Although small retailers feel the decision is bad news, the larger chain stores are breathing a sigh of relief.
The development was expected to be anchored by a B&M Bargains store.
Joe Murphy, store manager at Mount Pleasant Asda, was surprised by the news.
He said: "It's always disappointing to hear that new retail outlets will not be coming to the area.
"I'm sure local independent retailers will suffer.
"But, to be honest, it's probably good news for us because B&M Bargains are a major competitor and we would have expected a lot of our trade to go to them."
Mr Pacey said: "It's sad for traders down here that we seem to be getting left behind.
"This development would have done a lot for us.
"It's ridiculous. I think the council have let us down. They don't have the same aspirations as Hull citizens."
Mr Pacey is also concerned about the repercussions of leaving the land empty.
He said: "What I'm really concerned about is what will happen if any travellers get on the site.
"The land is just sitting there now and if they set up camp it will be hard to get rid of them."
Drypool's Liberal Democrat councillor Adam Williams said he was equally disappointed when he heard Dransfield's announcement.
"The development would be a big boost for the area," he said.
"It would rejuvenate that part of east Hull, making good use of disused land, and create a lot of jobs."
