The Deep pulls out of River project
The Deep has pulled out of a project to build a £13m sequel to the aquarium.
The River was to be a visitor attraction which told the story of a tropical river valley.
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DOUBLE ACT: An impression of how The River would look next to The Deep.
The Deep came up with the idea after it was asked by Hull Forward to help find a way to redevelop the dry dock and kick-start the regeneration of the Fruit Market, including new hotels and accommodation.
But after a two-year struggle for funding, The Deep has decided it will no longer act as the lead organisation on the project.
The Deep's board said they felt they had been forced to shoulder too much responsibility for the overall regeneration of the area when they had initially come on-board to help.
Chief executive Colin Brown said: "We feel the focus has shifted on to us building an extension to The Deep when the original concept was to regenerate the Fruit Market.
"It was perhaps always inappropriate for us to be leading such a major regeneration effort when there are those in the city who are charged with that responsibility.
"We are not a regeneration agency.
"We hope that our withdrawal may help clarify who should be doing what with regard to the Fruit Market.
"The reality is we are no further forward than we were two years ago and The Deep must now, reluctantly, turn its attention to other things."
The Deep has already invested at least £350,000 in the project, despite being a charity.
Mr Brown said the board still felt The River would be a huge asset to the city and it would be a "tragedy" if it did not go ahead.
He said: "If someone wanted to take The River forward and wanted us to advise them on it and run it for them, we would still do that."
The Deep thanked Wykeland Property Developments, who offered the land for free, and Hull City Council and the Mail for their support.
Hull Forward, the city's economic development company, said they understood and shared The Deep's frustrations and thanked them for their work.
Chief executive John Holmes said: "The River project remains an outstanding opportunity for the region and we intend to continue pursuing potential funding options, particularly as the property and investment market picks up over coming years."
12 Comments
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by Thomas, Muscat, Oman
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 4:10AM
“Things will bounce back after the recession - just focus on the positives!”
by The Fish Botherer, 'ull
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:03PM
“What a crying shame that theres not to be an extension of the Deep. Millions of tourists from as far as Beverley flock to the Deep every single day, 52 weeks of the year. It is so successfull that they should be able to afford to build a Deep on every street corner. I am Deeply Dippy about this story.”
by Fluffy Robinson, Guildhall
Friday, March 05 2010, 4:19PM
“I've said it before... We had no chance
Anyway i'm running late for my tea & biscuits”
by Adam, Hessle
Friday, March 05 2010, 4:02PM
“A real shame, this would have transformed what is a very shabby looking area of our beautifully regenerated city.
Hopefully someone will continue the idea and bring it to life when more money is available and the right people are found.”
by Glass Half Full, Hull
Friday, March 05 2010, 1:38PM
“Do you idiots not realise we're in one of the worst recessions in recent memory? No developer is taking risks in the current climate. Nationwide only projects that had funding approved prior to the recession hitting are taking place. Central government is making cuts left right and centre and Hull has to do the most with what it's got until times improve.
The A63 funding being knocked back is another example of how hard it is to regenerate an area like the Fruit Market. It is cut off from the rest of the city and until a resolution is found the area will struggle to improve.
Hull Forward and Yorkshire Forward have visions of what a great city Hull can be but funding problems, plannng issues and people like you prevent this from happening. Agencies like these can and do work, look at Sheffield for example. They were fortunate to have been slightly ahead of Hull in terms of developent and have coped better throughout the recession but Hull has the potential to be as good if not better than plaes like Sheffield.
As for the Deep it's a shame they have pulled out as The River project looked good, but was it seen as the the main catalyst for regenerating the Fruit Market? Personally i'd have thought the transformation of Humber Street would be more benificial, but hey it's only my opinion.”
by DAVE the RAVE, West Hull
Friday, March 05 2010, 12:24PM
“Thats the mail for you john! making out a web designer is like Hugh Heffner when real issues are not been investigated.”
by John, Hull
Friday, March 05 2010, 11:53AM
“kevin, e yorks - The chosen developer (of the four) was quite prepared to proceed with its plans but Hull Forward hadn't bought up the properties that were required for the scheme (and still hasn't).
HDM should be pursuing Hull Forward to ask what they are doing with taxpayers money rather than pursuing some poor web designer trying to make an honest living.”
by Philip, Snottingham
Friday, March 05 2010, 11:46AM
“I'm no longer busy :(
More time to drink tea now though and more time for gabbing, result!”
by carl, Wasteland what was the fruit market
Friday, March 05 2010, 11:03AM
“Another case of Hulls version of 'Bullseye' Look what you could have had!! Thats the trouble with Hull, they sit back and basque in the success of the Deep when they should be evolving and developing the area on a continuous loop. The River would have been a perfect sister project for the Deep, but what do you expect, This is Hull afterall!”
by PC Plod, Queen's Gardens nick
Friday, March 05 2010, 10:52AM
“The A63 is the 'Kiss of Death' for the area beyond; it's a time-warp.
Half of my beat won't go there, in case they're never seen again. We've lost a few good officers that way. Many of my boys say they would rather work in Sunderland than go across the A63. Who can blame 'em, eh?”