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24th April 2019

From tomorrow (Thursday 25 April), Hull City Council is asking for public feedback on plans to transform some of Hull’s most important maritime treasures and places.

The ambitious plans will see the regeneration of the Arctic Corsair, North End Shipyard, Spurn Lightship, Dock Office Chambers and the magnificent Hull Maritime Museum to create an exciting new maritime route that will guide visitors through the heart of the city from Queen Victoria Square to the River Hull.

Jointly funded by the council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund – subject to a successful funding bid – the project will mark the start of a new chapter in the city’s journey as a culturally vibrant maritime city.

The ‘story so far’ exhibition will transport visitors to 2022 when the plans will have become a reality. Never-seen-before artists’ and architects’ drawings and computer generated visuals will show how Hull’s outstanding maritime heritage will be protected, preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

Have your say on our plans here

Arctic Corsair at night at the North End Shipyard
An artists' impression of the new Atrium at Hull Maritime Museum
Gateway To The World - artists' impression of a new gallery in Hull Maritime Museum

If Hull succeeds in securing £13.6m of National Lottery Heritage Fund funding, work to create the major new attraction will begin later this year, delivering a major boost to the plans to build a lasting and sustainable legacy from Hull’s year as UK City of Culture.

Trinity Market will be the first of seven locations across the city to host the travelling roadshow, offering the public the opportunity to see how the restored Arctic Corsair will look in a permanent home to become a new, must-see visitor attraction in a former dock at the North End Shipyard, as well as exciting, transformational plans for the Hull Maritime Museum, making a museum for the future.

Mark Jones MBE, Hull City Council’s Director of Regeneration, said: “These plans show the continuing ambition of the council and its partners to cement Hull into a world-class visitor destination by making the most of its remarkable heritage as an international maritime city. As with our year as UK City of Culture, our aim is to regenerate our city and to use culture and heritage to boost economic prosperity and improve people’s lives right across the city.

“Over the past year, more than 10,000 people have given their ideas and suggestions on how they would like to see their city’s maritime heritage brought to life for all to enjoy. Now, we’d like everyone in the city to give us their views on the detailed plans and to show their support as we prepare to submit our bid for the funding to ensure this exciting project becomes a reality.”

North End Shipyard, a hidden gem will be given a new lease of life and become new home for the Arctic Corsair
An artists' impression of walking on a sea bed in one of the new galleries at Hull Maritime Museum
A artists' impression of a window projection looking at when Queens Gardens was a busy dock.

From Thursday 25 April, the ‘Story so far’ exhibition will go on public display and the Hull: Yorkshire Maritime City team will be seeking further comments and feedback to develop the exciting plans further.

The plans are also available in the news section at maritimeHull.co.uk

Hull City Council has committed £10m to the project and in May 2019, a round-two bid for a £13.6m grant will be submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund after successfully securing a £1.34m round-one development grant in June 2017. If successful, work could start in early 2020.

This project alone will bring an additional £2.86m a year into the local economy and attract over 300,000 visitors into the city. Added to the greater offer this project continues the regeneration of the city through its culture and heritage.

The plans continue the work that started in 2013 to transform our city, the legacy of UK City of Culture and also complement ongoing projects that form part of the City Plan, which includes the 12 key sites that offer unique and exciting possibilities for investment and plans for a cruise terminal to be built on the Humber.

Artists' impression of Spurn Lightship
Artist impression of new exhibition at Hull Maritime Museum
A new entrance will be installed at Hull Maritime Museum as part of major improvements

Mark Jones continued: “As the key legacy project from Hull’s tenure UK City of Culture, this project will stand on the shoulders of previous successful projects such as The Bonus Arena, Hull New Theatre and the refurbished Ferens Art Gallery, as well as the significant investment in the city centre’s public realm. They all have made an enormous contribution to driving the city forward to record levels of investment, economic growth, employment and housing completions.”

“The council has shown it can deliver projects of this scale and importance and we are determined to drive forward further regeneration, making Hull a better place to live, learn and work. This investment in our past is an investment in our future.”

The public will have the opportunity to view, comment and speak to council staff on the proposals at Hull Trinity Market until Thursday 2 May and will be on site at the exhibition from 10am - 3pm daily.

They will then visit the various locations across the city between 10am – 3pm:

  • Friday 3 May until Thursday 9 May at Freedom Centre, Preston Road, Hull HU9 3QB
  • Monday 13 May until Thursday 16 May at Edinburgh Street Community Centre, 140 Woodcock Street, Hull HU3 3SP
  • Friday 17 May until Thursday 23 May at Unity in Community, 501 Endike Lane, Hull HU6 8AQ
  • Friday 24 May until Thursday 30 May at North Bransholme Community Centre (Phoenix Project), Lothian Way, Hull HU7 5DD
  • Monday 20 May until Thursday 30 May at Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Hull city centre, Hull HU1 2PQ
  • Friday 31 May until Wednesday 31 July at Hull Maritime Museum, Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3DX


    An artists' impression of Spurn Lightship and the new A63 footbridge
    A transformed Queens Gardens will provide a new landscape and seating
    An artists' impression of Queens Gardens, with the Arctic Corsair in the background at North End Shipyard

    We are calling on you to support the ambitious bid. You can get involved by:

    • Get in the maritime frame and share on social media – they will be all over the city and at major events
    • Tell us your maritime stories by emailing hymc@hullcc.gov.uk
    • Like and follow us on Facebook at Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City
    • Follow us on Twitter @Hullmaritime
    • Follow us on Instagram @Hullmaritime

    You can also follow Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City on Twitter @Hullmaritime #HullYMC and on Facebook at Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City, Instagram @Hullmaritime and YouTube.

    To coincide with the launch of the plans and to gain support for the round-two bid an emotive film, ‘Born on the Tide’, has been released. It explores Hull’s maritime history as seen through the eyes of different generations, highlighting the community’s deeply held connection to the sea and the world. The short film can be viewed here.

    For more information on the project and the wider impacts visit maritimeHull.co.uk