Revamp breathes life into old smokehouse

BUSINESSES in the creative industries sector have until tomorrow to express their interest in renting a historic smokehouse in Hull.

The building in Wellington Street, the last surviving smokehouse in the Old Town, has been restored in a joint £132,000 project between English Heritage and the city council, and it is now hoped it will form an active part in the artistic quarter taking shape around the for Fruit Market.

Coun Steven Bayes, council portfolio holder for visitor destination, said: “It’s good to see this building restored to its former glory.

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“When the council started to step up efforts to regenerate the Fruit Market area this building was identified for restoration and we are grateful to English Heritage as they were keen to support this project.”

Unlike the majority of smokehouses in Hull, which were built for smoking fish, this was built primarily for smoking bacon.

Blue plaques have been installed on the outside of the building to show its importance to the area.

Dilapidated warehouses surrounding the building were demolished so it could be seen and it was then made weatherproof and the area landscaped as part of wider ongoing regeneration proposals for the Fruit Market.

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Trevor Mitchell, Yorkshire regional planning and conservation officer at English Heritage, said: “This is the last surviving smokehouse in Hull’s Old Town and a link to the city’s past as a great port.

“It was last used over 20 years ago and, before the regeneration, it was in a very poor condition.

“Now I’m pleased to say the building is in fine shape and a landmark for the Fruit Market area. I look forward to seeing new tenants move in and make the most of this fantastic building.”

Only eight smokehouses remain in Hull and two are under threat of demolition. The Wellington Street smokehouse was designed by Norman Jones and Leonard Rigby for Hull & Humber Bacon Smoking Company.