Hull Council confirms £250m City of Culture legacy plan

Hull City Council has confirmed its commitment to investing in culture and the arts with a £250m plan to further improve the city’s cultural and visitor infrastructure.In addition to the £50m already invested by the council and its partners in major cultural regeneration projects, the council has confirmed a further £250m plan for public and private sector investment over the next ten years.The council has pledged to provide on-going support to the city’s independent arts sector as well as supporting a new role for the Culture Company, which was established by the city to deliver its year as UK City of Culture.The plan ensures that Hull will build on the success of 2017, maintaining the momentum of positive change and developing the city into a world-class cultural destination.The council is committing to plans for a new £30m, 3,500-capacity regional music, arts and conference venue that will open in the summer of 2018, in addition to the creation of a major new £27m attraction that will shine a light on Hull’s heritage as Yorkshire’s Maritime city.A £130m redevelopment of Albion Square and Bond Street in the heart of the city is also intended to enhance Hull’s visitor and leisure offer as well as a £7m refurbishment for Woodford Leisure Centre and the on-going development of a £50m Cruise Terminal for Yorkshire.Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council pledged £1m to allow the repurposed Culture Company to continue to deliver world-class cultural programmes in 2018 and beyond.