Regeneration milestone as 350-space multi-storey car park opens

The Fruit Market’s new multi-storey car park has opened, the latest milestone in the development of Hull’s urban village.

The £5m facility is another key part of the transformation of the waterfront area. The 350-space car park will support businesses in the Fruit Market and the wider city centre economy and encourage even more people to visit this part of Hull.

It is also part of the largest development of its kind in Hull for more than half a century, with construction continuing on the same site on a showpiece head office for UK safety business Arco.

The new offices will secure Arco’s future in Hull and provide a platform for further growth for one of the city’s biggest employers.

Construction is nearing completion, with Arco staff due to move in by the early summer.

Once the Arco building is open, the multi-storey car park will have 200 spaces reserved for use by the company’s employees from Monday to Friday, with the remaining available to visitors. All 350 spaces are open to the public at weekends.

The £80m reinvention of the Fruit Market, an area that was near-derelict a few years ago, has seen the opening of independent shops, restaurants, bars and galleries, the creation of a residential community, and development of a tech campus that has generated hundreds of jobs.

The regeneration is being driven by the Wykeland Beal joint venture of commercial developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, two local businesses working with Hull City Council in the Fruit Market LLP.

Wykeland managing director, Dominic Gibbons, said: “The multi-storey car park makes it easier and more convenient to visit the Fruit Market and is a major asset for the wider city centre.

“It offers a modern, safe and well-lit environment for use by workers, shoppers and visitors to the area.

“It will also provide weekday parking for staff based at the new Arco head office as part of retaining one of Hull’s leading businesses within the city centre.

“The Fruit Market is providing a template for successful urban renewal and leading the way as we look towards the city’s post-Covid economic recovery.”

Beal chief executive, Richard Beal, said: “The car park is another important piece in the Fruit Market jigsaw of development and investment. All the elements have worked together to create a sustainable urban village in the heart of Hull.

“We’re especially proud of the creation of a new residential community which will be complete by the end of this year when construction of the final phase of our Fruit Market development is due to finish.”

Councillor Daren Hale, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for economic investment and regeneration, said: “This car park will be a welcome addition to the Fruit Market area, due to the successful redevelopment of this area and it being a great place for visitors.”

Hessle-based PDR Construction is the principal contractor for the car park and Arco head office.

PDR Construction director, Adam Thompson, said: “We’re are delighted to hand over this landmark building, which is a great addition to the Fruit Market, and want to thank our staff and supply chain who have worked tirelessly through such unprecedented times.”