Hull Paragon Interchange could soon be home to a new ‘high-quality’ bar, Hull City Council has revealed.
The council is to award two city centre grants as part of wider regeneration works at Hull Paragon Interchange. Hull Tap Ltd is set to be awarded £315,000 for works to the former ticket office and hall in the station to be converted it into a high-quality bar.
Refurbishment works will be carried out in keeping with both the heritage and listed status. Funding would come from the government-backed city centre grants scheme which would see Hull Tap bring back into use 600sqm of unused floor space and create 15 full-time equivalent jobs.
The ticket hall is currently vacant, with plans including leather and hardwood fixed seating for around 150 customers, whilst a new bar counter will be built in the former ticket office. The former ticket office is currently occupied by WHSmith, which will vacate the premises.
Additional government funding will be allocated to keep WHSmith within Hull city centre, with £146,250 going to WHSmith Travel Holdings Limited. This will enable it to relocate to the vacant unit on the opposite side of the station’s concourse, next to Costa Coffee.
The council says that both projects are estimated to see nearly £1m of private capital invested into the station and additional inward investment is being made into Hull Paragon Interchange.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing at the council, said: “These awards are another great example of the potential that the city centre grant scheme can unlock.
“The former ticket office has stood vacant for many years, almost a decade, so it is pleasing that a large unit will be occupied thanks to grant funding.
“These awards are also helping to maintain city centre presence for a national brand in WHSmith, whilst safeguarding jobs at the same time.
“Morrisons ’ application for the station confirms that Hull is a place that high street brands want to be and will only add to the offering for commuters and passengers alike.”
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