Traders and shoppers oppose out-of-town development

Traders and shoppers have signed a petition opposing plans for a major out-of-town retail development that they feel will threaten the viability of businesses in Hull city centre.
More than 1,000 people have signed the petition to back city centre stores amid continuing concern about the proposed expansion of Kingswood Retail Park on the northern edge of Hull.
The petition, organised by HullBID (Business Improvement District), comes ahead of a hearing by a Government inspector into an appeal by the Kingswood developers against rejection of their plans.
Hull City Council has rejected two applications by Kingswood Parks Development Company and Kier Property for a development of 10 shops and cafes/restaurants, totalling 120,000 sq ft, on land next to the Next store at Kingswood. Councillors turned down the plans.
The planning enquiry, due to begin at Hull’s Guildhall on 21  November 21, will consider an appeal by the developers against refusal of the first planning application.
Shoppers have been keen to show their support for city centre businesses, including many independent, family-owned shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, who fear the green light for the Kingswood plans would halt Hull’s regeneration in its tracks and begin a spiral of decline.
Kathryn Shillito, city centre manager for Hull BID, said: “We’re delighted with the support we’ve had from traders and their customers.
“We know city centre businesses are very concerned about this threat to their livelihoods and we now have a different perspective from customers who are putting pen to paper to pledge their support for the stores they love.

“We know shoppers really value the quality and variety of shops and other outlets in the city centre and this petition shows they want to do everything they can to keep them going.”
Jayne Yates, Manager of The Yorkshire Linen Co in King Edward Street, added: “Everyone is in favour of supporting the city centre and happy with how it is now, with all the development that has taken place.
“Our business is also picking up and gaining momentum. We’ve had more footfall and growing sales. We’ve even taken on two more part-time members of staff in the past month.
“Since all the public realm works have been completed we’ve had more people in the city centre. They’ve found the city centre again – it would be such a shame for them to be drawn away.”
Traders say the Kingswood plans threaten their businesses and would damage the city centre, just when the rejuvenation of the heart of Hull is starting to gain momentum, driven by City of Culture and the £25m public realm investment.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close