Luke Campbell 'in discussions' over Hull cruise terminal
Luke Campbell confirmed to The Yorkshire Post that he is in discussions with Associated British Ports (ABP) about the possibility.
Luke Campbell is “in discussions” to bring a new cruise terminal to Hull, as part of his local growth plan.
The Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor unveiled his masterplan to boost economic growth in the region at UKREiiF in Leeds yesterday, the country’s largest real estate, investment and infrastructure conference.
A key part of this is the potential for a cruise terminal to be built in the regeneration of the Western Docklands.
This has been mooted for some time, with the Albert and William Wright Dock being considered.
Mr Campbell confirmed to The Yorkshire Post that he is in discussions with Associated British Ports (ABP) about the possibility.
“We’ve got exciting opportunities, with the Humber coming into this,” he told UKREiiF.
“We’re looking at a new cruise terminal that we can bring in, which would bring development and regeneration.
“You’ve got to look at what that would bring into our tourism economy, that would add another £1bn to our region every year.”
Currently, Southampton is the UK’s undisputed cruise capital, handling around two million passengers annually.
However, some five million people live within an hour of the Humber, making the “Gateway to Europe” an ideal location.
“We have got the site, we have got the infrastructure - we need to look at investors,” Mr Campbell said.
“It would put Hull on the map. Think about what that would do for our restaurants and hotels.”
Mr Campbell is looking at bringing in a Mayoral Development Corporation to coordinate the redevelopment of the Western Docklands.
The Local Growth Plan identifies three other major investment opportunities across the region, including the Humber Freeport and the plan to build a marina in Bridlington.
The document, which has been signed off by the Government, follows growth plans from Yorkshire’s other three mayors.
Mr Campbell says it creates a single, unified economic strategy covering the whole region – bringing together the strengths of our city, towns, rural communities and coastal areas.
He added: “Hull and East Yorkshire is a place that gets things done – and our Local Growth Plan sets out exactly how we’re going to grow.
“We’ve got huge strengths and some of the most untapped potential anywhere in the country. Now it’s about backing our people, supporting our industries, and bringing in the investment we need to make that potential a reality.
“What matters most to me is that local people feel the benefit of all this. I want people to have the chance to build a good life for themselves and their families, right here in our region.”