Firms say marina work is leaving them all at sea

A woman wearing a bright red short-sleeved shirt and black trousers is standing on a cobblestone street next to a tall, solid barrier made of dark blue panels. She is gesturing toward the barrier with one arm extended, as if indicating its length or height. The street has old metal tram lines running along its surface, and older brick buildings are visible in the background on the left side.

Emma Sadofsky says these hoardings are spoiling the view of the marina

Business owners have spoken of their frustration over the length of improvement works at Hull Marina.

A revamp of the promenade on Humber Dock Street began in February and is due to continue until spring – despite signs initially stating it would take 39 weeks.

Hull City Council insisted the completion date had "always been planned for early 2026" and that a permit allowing work to continue until the end of April was a contingency.

Emma Sadofsky, manager at The Brazilian restaurant, said she was "frustrated" by what she called a lack of communication from the council. She estimated the business missed out on £75,000 to £85,000 in revenue due to the loss of outdoor seating in the summer.

A bright yellow roadside sign with black text is mounted on a metal post near a railing. At the top, there are two logos: one for "Hull City Council" on the left and one for "National Highways" on the right. The sign is outdoors, with a grey overcast sky in the background and part of a metal fence visible on the left. The main text reads: "HUMBER DOCK STREET PUBLIC REALM SCHEME TO COMMENCE 01/02/2025 FOR 39 WEEKS. Emergency Tel: 01482 300 300.”

Businesses thought the works would end this year

Winter trade was less affected, but noise and parking issues continued to deter customers, Ms Sadofsky said.

"There has to be some sort of compensation for the businesses losing out on so much money," she added.

The project is part of the Maritime Hull regeneration programme and includes landscaping work, new signage and seating.

But Ms Sadofsky criticised the visual impact of the site hoardings.

"You come to the marina to see the boats and the water – and all you see is this awful blue wall," she said.

Jack Hannam runs the Humber Dock Bar and Grill. He said there were days when the pub had taken as little as £16 and said a lack of clear communication from the council made planning almost impossible.

The image shows the interior of a bar with wooden flooring and a polished wooden counter in the foreground. On the counter are several chrome beer taps with branded handles. Behind the counter, there is a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall and shelves holding bottles. The lighting is warm. A man is leaning on the bar counter, wearing a black T-shirt with a logo. His arms are resting on the counter, and both arms are covered in detailed tattoos. In the background, there are cream-colored walls, and a doorway leading to another room.

Jack Hannam says the works are "killing the vibe"

"We don't know what we're going to be hit with or when. All we can do is take it day by day," Mr Hannam said.

"It's not just about the money – it's about the stress of not knowing what's coming next."

Hull City Council said the works were part of a major investment in the city's waterfront, designed to improve public spaces and attract more visitors.

The council stressed that the timeline had not changed and the works were "progressing well and remain on track".

Officials said they had engaged with businesses throughout the process.

Measures had been put in place to reduce disruption, including hoardings to limit noise and dust.

Temporary signage and alternative pedestrian routes had also been introduced to maintain access.

The council acknowledged the impact on businesses, but said the improvements would deliver long-term benefits to the area.

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