Hull city centre traders urge planning committee to reject Kingswood retail plans

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Kingswood Parks Development Company and Kier Property have re-submitted plans for a development of 10 shops and cafes/restaurants. Credit: Artist Impression

Traders and business people have urged councillors to reject an out-of-town retail development they claim is threatening their businesses and the regeneration of Hull city centre.

They have signed a petition objecting to the proposed development at Kingswood and appealed to members of Hull City Council's Planning Committee to act to support the city centre and traders in the heart of Hull.

The petition, carrying more than 250 names, has been organised by HullBID (Business Improvement District).

The signatories are from more than 200 businesses and organisations, together employing thousands of people in the city centre.

Independent traders claim the plans "threaten their businesses" and "would damage the city centre".

Kathryn Shillito, City Centre Manager for Hull BID, which represents more than 700 businesses, said: "Traders right across the city centre are alarmed about these plans and the hugely detrimental impact they would have if approved."

Kingswood Parks Development Company and Kier Property have re-submitted plans for a development of 10 shops and cafes/restaurants, totalling 120,000 sq ft (11,148 sq m), on land next to the new Next store at Kingswood.

The initial scheme was rejected last year because of the "impact it would have on trade and investment in the city centre".

Hull City Council's Planning Committee is due to decide on the application on Wednesday, September 6, following a visit to the Kingswood site on the same day.