Silent screen still costing money

Simon Bristow

HULL’S Big Screen may have disappeared from view but it is still causing pain to the tax payer.

The cost of removing the six-ton screen from Queen Victoria Square on Wednesday was nearly 35,000.

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Hull Council expects to recover this amount if it is able to sell the screen, and said removing it was the only prudent option if it were to avoid projected running costs of up to 250,000 over the next three to five years.

The spending will nonetheless further dismay critics of the screen, which was controversially bought in 2004 by the then Labour administration at the council for 675,000.

Mark Jones, head of economic development and regeneration at the council, said: “The removal of the screen will cost around 24,500 with a further 10,000 required to re-route the electrical supply needed for future city centre events.

“The proceeds from the sale of the screen are expected to cover these costs, although the disposal of the screen is still subject to approval by the Asset Management Committee.”

The screen has been put into storage while a buyer for it is sought.

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