Hull City Council is set to distribute shopping vouchers and offer free visits to attractions as part of a scheme to revitalise the city's high streets. The council has initiated the second round of public engagement sessions to shape Phase 1 of its Community Highstreets Programme.
The council has earmarked £6m for enhancements to 16 neighbourhoods and local centres throughout the city. The Community Highstreets Programme, a citywide initiative, aims to improve these areas in hopes of boosting satisfaction, footfall, and commercial spend, while also reducing shop vacancy rates.
The programme will be implemented in three phases.
Phase 1 includes the East area – Barham Road, Greenwich Avenue and Holderness Road/Woodford area; North area – Chanterlands Avenue and Grampian Way; West area – Anlaby Road /Coltman Street and Gipsyville area. Phase 2 encompasses the East area – Annandale Road; North Area – Endike Lane and The Quadrant; West area – Goodwin Parade/Walker Street. Phase 3 will focus on the East area – Dalsetter Rise; North area – Spring Bank; West area – Anlaby Road, Sibelius Road and Bethune Avenue.
The latest round of engagement, which can be conducted either online or in-person, aims to provide residents, business owners and the general public with the opportunity to voice their opinions and contribute to the project's outcomes. The plans have been moulded based on feedback received during public engagement sessions held earlier this year.
The survey will remain accessible online until October 24.
To encourage participation, the council is offering each survey participant the chance to enter a draw for a variety of prizes, including behind-the-scenes visits to Hull Maritime Attractions and Love2Shop gift cards worth up to £100. The draw will take place one week after the survey closes, and the three randomly selected winners will be notified on October 31 with details of their prize.
The council has confirmed several public engagement sessions over the next few months in venues including Gipsyville Library, Johnny Whitely Community Hub, Pennine Community Centre, Wilberforce College, the Pearson Park Beach Day and Woodford Leisure Centre Café.
Coun Ted Dolman, portfolio holder for communities at the council, commented: "This is an exciting project which will help to enhance local centres and help to restore pride within neighbourhoods. This is a community-led project and the council has already had fantastic community buy in from residents and businesses alike.
"From that, the mini masterplan has adapted as a result and we look forward to sharing that and hearing more opinions of the public during this latest round of engagement. The council wants to create sustainable neighbourhoods and resilient communities and this project is just the start of that."
