Off Topic Hull council to seek partner to build cruise terminal

No idea, I've no technical knowledge of these things and I've not seen specific details published anywhere with regard to this potential development.

 

Update...

£31m cruise ship terminal for Hull 'not beyond reach'

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CITY councillors say the idea of developing a new £31m cruise terminal in Hull is "not beyond reach".

The ambitious scheme was launched almost three years ago as part of the council's ten-year Hull Plan.

Since then, the authority has committed £800,000 to be spent on working up feasibility proposals.

On Thursday, councillors will be asked to support a further £9.2m allocation towards the project over the next three years as part of the council's capital programme.

Deputy council leader Councillor Daren Hale said government funding would ultimately be required to make it happen.

He said: "There is money (in the budget) for preparatory work, but we are clear that we will need external investment.

"I see it as a devolution must. If the Government wants to keep alive the idea of a Northern Powerhouse, they need to come up with something on the eastern side of the North to counter all the investment going into Manchester.

"We have always said the cruise terminal will only happen as a regional infrastructure project as part of a devolution deal.

"This is a cruise terminal for Yorkshire and the North, not just for Hull.

"It is also fair that money comes from elsewhere, not just from Hull."

Cllr Hale said talks with the Government were continuing.

"I get the feeling we are pushing at an open door on this and I am confident it's not beyond reach," he said.

There are currently two options being examined for a terminal – near The Deep and at the Riverside Quay near Albert Dock.

Expert consultants are looking at both locations and what land-based infrastructure would be needed.

Councillor Steven Bayes, cabinet portfolio holder for visitor destination, said the cruise terminal project was a potential game-changer for the city.

"This development has the greatest capacity to alter the economy of Hull and to alter people's perceptions of the city," he said.

"Importantly, it will bring people with disposable income into Hull.

"Typically on cruise ships, a third of passengers stay on board, a third go on organised excursions and a third leave the ship and visit the port they are in.

"Increasing spend and footfall is a key element of what we are trying to achieve in the city through improving the public realm.

"Through that sort of work, further investment will come in, spending will increase and jobs will be created."

Cllr Bayes said talks with cruise operators remained positive.

He said: "We have had discussions with several cruise operators and they are immensely keen to have a facility in Hull.

"They are very keen to open up the eastern side of England because, through the links to Europe – it works very well for them."

Options for terminal

FEASIBILITY studies have identified two potential locations for the terminal, one near The Deep and the other at Riverside Quay next to Albert Dock.

As yet, no final decision has been made on a preferred site.

There are also options over developing a so-called "port of call", which would act as a short-stay stopping point for passenger cruise ships, or a full-blown "home port" where ships start and complete cruises.

A terminal handling 40 ships a year could bring 40,000 passengers to the city.

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/31m-...tory-28785657-detail/story.html#ixzz40ywg1kgu

 

I'm a big fan of this idea, but they need to forget sticking it anywhere near The Deep and just concentrate on the Albert Dock site.

 

It's a very good idea, there's no way premium retailers will entertain taking units in there as things stand, either they increase footfall or the centre dies completely and discount outlet retail doesn't mean crap retail, the idea is to get outlet stores for premium brands, not Sport Direct type ****.

 

****ing auto-correct.

 

Sadly, no.

 

Almost 30 shops planned for Princes Quay outlet mall in Hull

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UP TO 28 stores could open in a new outlet mall in Hull's Princes Quay Shopping Centre.

Proposals to revamp the venue were first unveiled last summer. Now the specialist outlet and asset management company brought in to oversee the facelift says it is making "good progress" in attracting tenants.

Realm, which is the UK's largest outlet operator, is aiming to transform the shopping centre's first floor.

Development director Dan Mason said: "We are making good progress with Princes Quay.

"We are now onto the detailed stage of what we intend doing with the building and identifying the contractors to carry out that work.

"On the marketing side, we are talking to a number of potential tenants and while we are not yet in a position to make any announcements, there is strong interest out there in what we are trying to achieve with Princes Quay."

Mr Mason said up to 28 units were planned for is what eventually be known as the Quay's Outlet Deck.

"That's the top number, but it could go down if someone wants a double unit or even a treble," he said.

"Hopefully, we will be able to announce some names very soon and intend to be up and running later this year."

Realm's track record is impressive. Its current portfolio of outlet shopping centre developments includes Junction 32 at Castleford, Lakeside Village in Doncaster and Resorts World in Birmingham.

Last month, Realm reported a 5.1 per cent increase in footfall across over Christmas and New Year and a corresponding 11.2 per cent rise in turnover across the same period.

Mr Mason said: "People will be familiar with most of the brands who trade at some of our other outlets, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will all be in Princes Quay. The intention is to announce our first tenants as soon as we possibly can."

As well as a giant new wraparound advertising banner cloaking the shopping centre's car park, the other visible sign of what is to come is a new planning application seeking approval for up to three café units on the proposed Outlet Deck.

Mr Mason said: "While we do not need planning permission for most of the mall, we do require a change of use consent for the café/restaurant use. Being able to market some café units will add to overall offer."

Indicative floorplans submitted as part of the application show 28 individual units, although three are occupied by an anchor store.

As well as the Outlet Deck, Realm is also overseeing plans to revamp the shopping centre's ground-floor food court area, which currently includes a Nando's and a Pizza Express.

The facelift for the centre by its Saudi Arabian owners Jadwa Investment is aimed at reviving its fortunes following a shift in retail patterns in the city centre, partly influenced by the opening of St Stephen's in 2007, as well as the growth in online shopping.

Speaking to the Mail last summer, centre manager Claire Suggitt said: "They are looking at brands that aren't already within the city and bringing big-name brands back, which were here before but left.

"There will be a lot of high-end retail outlets. We're looking at the profile not just of Princes Quay but of the city."

Princes Quay at a glance

OPENED in 1991, Princes Quay ruled the waves as the city's premier shopping destination for more than a decade.

But the arrival of St Stephen's changed all that.

A 24-hour gym and a 12-lane bowling alley have been recently added in an attempt to widen the Quay's appeal, but the outlet mall will switch the focus back to retail.

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/30-s...tory-28793711-detail/story.html#ixzz414jjv2lm