Cash support revealed to revive listed city landmark

A heritage building in Hull city centre will be brought back to life with support from Levelling Up Funding.

Castle Buildings LLP has been awarded £162,081 from Hull City Council’s Government-backed fund towards bringing back into use Castle Buildings.

The Grade II listed property on Waterhouse Lane will be restored to support the future occupation of over 3,700 sq ft of vacant city centre floor space.

The funding is 8.2% of a large-scale project which will bring almost £2m of capital investment into Hull.

The grant award for Castle Buildings supports the wider site development, conceived and being delivered by Hull-based Wykeland Group, which includes reconstruction of the historic Earl de Grey public house building.

Plans feature a nine-storey hotel with 150 bedrooms, as well as public realm works.

Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Castle Buildings is a much-loved heritage building in our city centre, but one which has stood empty for some time.

“I am pleased to see that the council has been able to support its regeneration through Levelling Up Funding.

“Castle Buildings is part of the wider, large-scale project which, once completed, will bring further work and leisure opportunities to the city centre.”

Jonathan Stubbs, development director of Wykeland, said: “We’re pleased this project has received the funding to support its delivery.

“It recognises the importance of restoring and bringing back into use this landmark building and we anticipate work beginning in early 2024.

“This will be another significant step in Hull’s ongoing regeneration, which Wykeland Group is proud to be playing a major role in.”