Green light for major Hull music and events centre
2nd Mar 2016 Yorkshire
Green light for major Hull music and events centre
Plans for a 3,500-seater music and events centre in Hull, viewed as an integral component of the City of Culture legacy but unexpectedly rebuffed late last year, have now been given the go-ahead.
Hull City Council's planning committee have approved plans for the "Hull Venue" which, it is hoped, will put Hull on the UK map as a location for major events, shows and music concerts.
The plans approved today include the building of the new centre, alongside the cladding of Osborne Street carpark and additional public spaces in a currently derelict area on Myton Street behind Princes Quay.
The centre will include a 3,500 capacity concert auditorium with the flexibility to reduce to a 2,500 all-seated event and a 21,500 sq ft exhibition space plus 800 capacity conference auditorium. It is also predicted that the scheme will create 30 full time jobs with 100 to 150 temporary jobs on event days.
Councillor Steven Bayes, portfolio holder for visitor destination, said: "The approval of this scheme is key to making Hull a top visitor destination and to securing a long-term legacy from our year as UK City of Culture.
"We will formally hand over the City of Culture title to another city in 2020, but this development will allow us to continue to attract events capable of delivering a big economic impact beyond that.
"Importantly, it will deliver a large number 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 city."
The council has committed 47€m towards the cost of building the complex on the site behind Princes Quay shopping centre and this investment will also modernise Osborne Street carpark.
Situated close to the key road and rail routes in and out of Hull, the new Hull Venue will revitalise and reconnect the heart of the city centre by providing a link between the historic Old Town, the 1950s-built ‘new town’ and the city’s transport interchange and St Stephen’s shopping centre.
The aim is to provide an iconic landmark for visitors travelling to and through the city, as well as offering conference delegates and gig-goers spectacular views of Hull Marina.
Work will now begin later this year, following BAM Construction's appointment in December. The venue is scheduled to open in 2018 as part of the city's legacy programme.
Plans for the redevelopment of Beverley Gate, meanwhile, have also been approved by planning councillors, meaning that the work is one step closer to beginning. With its new Scheduled Monument status, an application will be made to the culture secretary, in consultation with Historic England, to be assessed and approved.
Plans involve the walls being exposed and current access retained and improved.