Hull's £36m music and events venue plans confirmed

Hull City Council said the venue would create 500 jobs

Plans for a £36m music and events centre in Hull have been confirmed.

The city council has approved a decision to find a partner to run the proposed 3,500 capacity venue.

A planning application is yet to be submitted but if it is given the go ahead, the venue would create 500 jobs and generate £13.8m for the local economy every year, the council said.

A derelict area behind the Princes Quay shopping centre is the chosen site and it is expected to open in 2018.

Under the proposals, the venue would include 2,000sq m of exhibition space, a restaurant, dressing rooms with en-suite facilities and an outside broadcast space.

'Absolutely essential'

The authority said it would host major touring concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows and sporting events, "rivalling the likes of the Harrogate International Centre and 02 Academy Leeds".

Councillor Steven Bayes said: "A high-quality, purpose-built events and conference centre is absolutely essential to making Hull a top visitor destination and to secure a long-term legacy from our year as UK City of Culture.

"Put simply, a city of Hull's size needs a facility such as this.

"Most importantly, it will deliver 500 long-term jobs for our local workforce and young people, which is part of the legacy that we want to deliver for Hull and the economic future we need."

A hotel will also be built by the owners of Princes Quay as part of the overall scheme.

Claire Suggit, centre manager of Princes Quay, said the owners were "very excited about the development".

Contractors to build the new entertainment facility would be appointed by the end of the year, the authority added.

Correction 3 July: This article has been amended because an earlier version said the plans had been approved, based on incorrect information from Hull City Council.