Ten new shops are to be created in Hull city centre as West Street Arcade is overhauled.
Levelling Up funding has been awarded by the local authority to support what has been described as an “exciting retail opportunity” for a long-closed former school uniform outlet.
Tucked just off King Edward Street, on a road linking the pedestrianised area with the Prospect Centre and Ferensway, the dilapidated building is to be the subject of a £450,000 investment. A total of £205,000 has been awarded by Hull City Council.
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MMR Investment Ltd secured planning permission for the restoration, as well as a rear extension, in 2021. The grant will support the development of 450 sq m over two floors.
Renovation will include a full rewire of the building, installation of fixtures and fittings and all windows replaced.
Garry Taylor, Hull City Council’s assistant director for major projects, culture and place, said: “I am delighted the council is able to award this funding to MMR Investment Limited.
“It will help to bring back into use vacant units, in turn providing local jobs and is another great example of excellent regeneration work done in the city centre.”
The funding is from the successful £19.5 million bid, accepted in November 2021, covering infrastructure and a wider package of city centre regeneration works.
A total of £7.5 million is being used to create a new grant scheme which aims to bring unused floorspace of any vacant or partially occupied property back into use and to create jobs.
Similar to previous grant schemes in the Old Town, the Levelling Up Grant scheme will allow various diverse businesses to open and operate, breathing new life into the area.
It comes as a significant investment was made to support ResQ’s expansion at the nearby Hammonds of Hull building, with 290 jobs set to be created as the call centre operation takes on an additional floor.
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