Hull set for £30m concert arena as it bids for Brits and Baftas
A NEW £30m concert arena and hotel look set to be built in Hull as part of the UK City of Culture 2017 celebrations.
The Mail can reveal the entertainment complex will boast a capacity of about 8,000 in the hope of attracting some of the country's biggest music artists and showbusiness events to the city.
The arena has been earmarked for one of two derelict city centre sites, both owned by Hull City Council.
Work on the ambitious project could start next year, creating hundreds of jobs in its construction alone.
A NEW £30m concert arena and hotel look set to be built in Hull as part of the UK City of Culture 2017 celebrations.
The Mail can reveal the entertainment complex will boast a capacity of about 8,000 in the hope of attracting some of the country's biggest music artists and showbusiness events to the city.
The arena has been earmarked for one of two derelict city centre sites, both owned by Hull City Council.
Work on the ambitious project could start next year, creating hundreds of jobs in its construction alone.
A senior source at the Guildhall said: “I have no doubts that Hull is going to be the most prosperous city in the north in five years’ time.
“I still hear people questioning whether Hull can compete on the big stage but we can – and we will.”
The Mail revealed last month how Hull was already a leading contender to host the Baftas in 2017, bidding to become the first city outside London to host the event attracting some of the biggest names in film and television.
Although Hull appeared to have been ruled out of hosting the Brits, where Beyonce performed and winners included David Bowie, Ellie Goulding and the Arctic Monkeys at this year’s event, a new arena could see it back in the running.
It would also rival the new First Direct Arena, formerly known as the Leeds Arena, which officially opened in September with Sir Elton John playing to an audience of 12,000. The concert venue in Leeds has also staged acts including Kaiser Chiefs, Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen.
A city council source said: “We aim to have some of the world’s biggest bands and music artists come to Hull, not just in 2017, but beyond.
“It will be unrecognisable and a city we can all be so proud of.
“It is about building a legacy and making the most out of the UK City of Culture year.
“We can achieve anything when we set our minds to it. We have finally been given a huge platform to achieve things because of the UK City of Culture status. It will be the most prosperous city in the north.”
The concert arena and hotel would be funded through sponsorship and from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
It would be separate to the proposed Olympic swimming pool and leisure suite that could be built in the city, as revealed by the Mail last month.
Staging the Brits had been all but ruled out for Hull due to its lack of a big enough venue, but this latest development has given the city’s bid renewed hope.
The new concert arena will hold 5,000 seats with a large area for guests to sit at tables or stand during a concert.
The council source said: “This is an absolutely crucial and huge week for Hull.
“By the end of it, we could be in pole position to be hosting the Baftas and the Brits.
“It is a long way off, of course, but with this new proposed arena, we suddenly have a great chance of bringing so much to our city.
“As soon as we won the UK City of Culture, we wanted to set our aims very high and that’s exactly what we have done.
“I’m sure the people of Hull will be excited with the direction the city is taking.”
