Destination Hull

Thousands of jobs will be created by the £300m Quay West development

Quay West is set to unlock an exciting future for shoppers and workers in Hull.
The development, which is a 500,000 square foot extension to Princes Quay, has spent two years on the drawing board.
But now the plans will become a reality after outline planning permission was given the go-ahead by Hull City Council.
With room for 60 new shops, two department stores, cafes and family-friendly restaurants, a new public square, and rooftop parking, the development is set to create a thriving new retail quarter in the heart of the city centre.
6,000 construction jobs will be created to build Quay West and a further 3,000 full and part-time jobs when the centre opens its doors.
The Quay West development is a joint venture between the owners of Princes Quay, Henderson Global Investors, and Invista Real Estate Investment Management.

Top quality

"The granting of planning consent for Quay West is great news. We have worked extremely hard over the past two years to draw up a high-quality scheme. Now residents will see the plans come to fruition," said Subjit Jassy, director of shopping centres at Invista Real Estate Investment Management.
The go-ahead comes after Hull people showed their support in a public consultation. This included exhibitions at Princes Quay shopping centre, a questionnaire for people to give their thoughts on the scheme, a website, newsletters, and 'focus group, meetings for people to voice opinions or learn more about the plans.
Lawrence Hutchings, director of property at Henderson Global Investors, said: "We had tremendous feedback from the people of Hull last year when we consulted them on Quay West. They showed immense support for the plans, and we are delighted that Hull City Council has now approved the development.
"Quay West will boost the regeneration of Hull by creating jobs and prosperity."
The large-scale development will be bordered by Princes Dock Street in the east, Castle Street in the south, Ferensway in the west, and Osborne Street in the north.

Regional capital

"Quay West, along with other developments such as St Stephen's, will help Hull become the natural capital of East Yorkshire," says Cllr Andy Sloan, who has responsibility for economic regeneration in Hull.
"Our aim is to create a vibrant and thriving city centre, with a broad mix of shops and cultural attractions.
"This will bring more shoppers and visitors to Hull, and allow our city to rival Leeds, Sheffield and York as a retail destination."
Building work begins next year, and the development is expected to open in 2011.

Lessons learned

"The construction of Quay West will cause traffic disruption in the city centre. It is inevitable, given the size of the project," adds Cllr Sloan.
"However, we will do everything we can to minimise the inconvenience to motorists, shoppers, retailers and other businesses while the building work is in progress.
"We remain mindful of the recent traffic disruption - and difficulties felt by traders - caused by work to upgrade Ferensway.
"Lessons will be learned from Ferensway to ensure Quay West is built as painlessly as possible.
"I assure everyone that the Princes Quay extension is something worth waiting for."