Pioneering hotel will highlight the changing face of the Fruit Market

David Donkin of Wykeland in the new-look Humber Street.

A HOTEL which opened 30 years ago as the first major leisure investment at Hull Marina will be the venue for a presentation by the company which is leading the modern regeneration of the area.

The Holiday Inn Hull Marina opened its doors in 1987, long before even the first wave of waterside bars and restaurants including the Baltic Wharf, Pepi’s and Tropical Knights.

In the modern era it has been joined by award-winning restaurants 1884 Dock Street Kitchen and 1884 Wine & Tapas, and more recently Tapasya@Marina, Butler Whites and Ambiente. Plans for further development will be outlined by David Donkin, Property Director of Wykeland Group, when he speaks at a HullBID networking event next month.

David, who will be joined at the event by Wykeland’s Development Surveyor Tom Watson, said: “The Fruit Market presents a truly unique opportunity to create a community where people live, work and play in one of Hull’s most historic and distinctive areas.

“This is a long-term regeneration project that has a key role to play in the fundamental reinvention of Hull. There is much more to come, but we are encouraged by the enthusiastic response so far. It’s clear the commercial and creative communities, and the public generally, are as excited as we are by the Fruit Market’s enormous potential.”

The event has been organised by HullBID to give city centre businesses an insight into the plans by Wykeland and its partner Beal Homes, for retail, leisure and residential use of new and restored properties in Humber Street and the surrounding area.

It will take place at the Holiday Inn Hull Marina from midday until 1.30pm on Friday 12 May and will also feature a presentation by James Leeming, Senior Project Manager and Jimmy Holmes, Project Manager for Highways England, about the A63 Castle Street Scheme.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said the presentations will update member businesses on the timeline for the Castle Street scheme, the temporary works required to build it, the potential impact on the surrounding area during the works and the benefits the scheme will deliver once completed.

She added that Wykeland Beal will show how their project will drive the next phase of major improvements to the city centre following completion of the public realm works.

Kathryn said: “We are delighted to see the swift progression of Humber Street and the eclectic mix of retail that the area is starting to introduce, from unique dining concepts to the contemporary Humber Street Gallery.  Wykeland in partnership with Hull City Council have delivered on their vision of a bustling, thriving place to live, eat, shop and visit and HullBID will work hard to support existing and new businesses.

“The public realm work has seen a real transformation in the city centre and the work around Humber Street has been sympathetic and complementary to existing buildings of historic interest.  The old cobbled street feel has been maintained but brought bang up-to-date to make it easily accessible.

“All these improvements are making the city centre a more desirable destination in which to live, work and socialise. They are helping the city attract significant, new, direct investment in retail, leisure and residential, which in turn improves the city’s pulling power for other businesses.”

The event will include a buffet lunch. Admission is free of charge but advance booking is essential. To register your attendance contact Francesca Sharp at HullBID by Tuesday 2 May on 01482 611850, email Francesca@hullbid.co.uk