Demolition teams move to help new square take shape

Paragon Square, which is close to Hull’s war memorial and opposite the city’s transport interchange and landmark Royal Hotel, is the focus of a project to create a “dining quarter” on the site of an old shop and pubs.

The latest stage of the scheme will start today, with the demolition of a building which formerly housed a gun shop and a nail salon and the renovation of a former bar next door.

Paul White, of Hull-based Garness Jones chartered surveyors is acting for the owners of the site and said their vision for the revamped square had been welcomed by the city’s Business Improvement District (BID)

He said: “This really is a prime site, directly across the road from the transport interchange, close to St Stephen’s Shopping Centre and highly visible to thousands of people who travel past on Ferensway every day.

“The owners of the site do not wish to be identified but they have worked hard in the past to improve Paragon Square.

“That has been a long and complicated process because of the history of the area and the presence of the Cenotaph, but they have consulted with Hull City Council, Hull Civic Society and the Royal British Legion.”

“The owners cannot reveal the value of the project but it is a significant investment, and one which they are funding themselves.”

Contractors expect the demolition process to take about a week. That will be followed immediately by construction of a new building.

Mr White said the new premises will offer just over 1,000 sq ft of restaurant space on each of two floors.

Next door, the former bar will be refurbished to provide just over 1,200 square feet on the ground floor, more than 1,100 square feet on each of the first and second floors and a further 750 square feet on the third floor.