The Great British Property Review

The following is some excellent information regarding Hull – taken from a recent interview with one of the Property Investment Portfolio team.

1. Tell me about the history of the city.

The town of Hull was founded late in the 12th century. The monks of Meaux Abbey needed a port where the wool from their estates could be exported. They chose a place at the junction of the rivers Hull and Humber to build a quay. The exact year Hull was founded is not known but it was first mentioned in 1193, it was called Wyke on Hull.

In 1293 the King (Edward the 1st) acquired Hull. It was renamed Kingston (kings town) on Hull. The king wanted a port in Northeast England through which he could supply his army when fighting the Scots.

Hull was made a city in 1897.

2. What is it famous for? (Industry / sport / cultural attractions / castles / historic battles / theme parks).

Hulls famous for its port (read history of Hull)

William Wilberforce - Politician.

Wilberforce was born in Wilberforce House, Hull in 1759. He attended St John's College, Cambridge. While he was there he became friends with William Pitt who was later to become Britain's youngest ever Prime Minister. Wilberforce was elected in the parliamentary election in Hull in 1779 and served in Parliament until 1825. Wilberforce became interested in social reform after converting to the Evangelical Christianity. He was encouraged by Lady Middleton to use his power to bring an end to the slave trade and in 1789 he gave his first speech against the trade.

Wilberforce & Lord Grenville campaigned in the House of Commons until the Abolition of the Slave Trade bill became law on March 25 1807. British captains who were caught by the British navy were fined £100 for each slave found on board but their captains managed to reduce fines by having the slaves thrown over board. Wilberforce died on July 29 1833. Although trading in slaves was now illegal existing slaves were not freed until Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act one month after Wilberforce's death. His seventeenth century family home and birthplace is now home to a historical museum with displays and paintings telling the story of the slave trade.

Hull has 2 Rugby league teams, HULL FC & HULL Kingston Rovers

Both teams have constantly featured as rugby’s top performing team’s through-out the last 40 years. Even the main A63 road into HULL has a section of road named after one of the countries best rugby players. Clive Sullivan WAY- he was also Great Britain captain. Played for Great Britain in the World Cup twice in 1968, 1972 and for Wales in 1975. He was the first British player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match. Scored possibly the most famous try in the history of the World Cup to level 10-10 against Australia after a length of the field run.

HULL CITY football club

Hull is currently riding the crest of the wave with its football club HULL CITY. Hull Citys move to the new £43.5m KC Stadium in 2002 and its hard work and guidance by key individuals such as chairman Adam Pearson (2001 to 2007) and later a consortium led by Paul Duffen (2007 todate) and not forgetting manager Phil Brown Hull have gone from near bankruptcy playing non league football in 2000 to tackling the likes of Man U & Chelsea in the Premier League.

Culture

The city's Museum Quarter is a highlight of any visit to the city and is one of the most exciting developments of its kind, linking four of Hull's eight FREE museums. Situated in the heart of the historic Old Town, visitors can experience 235 million years of history by visiting the interactive Streetlife Museum, the Hull and East Riding Museum Wilberforce House and the Artic Corsa.

The remaining collection of FREE museums in the city includes the Hull Maritime Museum, the Ferens Art Gallery, the Hands on History Museum and the Spurn Lightship, moored in the city's delightful marina. The Deep, the world's only submarium is home to over 3,000 fish and 7 species of shark, The Deep one of the countries most iconic modern structures was designed by Britain’s leading architects Sir Terry Farrel opening in March 2002 it has attracted more the 2 million people from all over the world.

Shopaholics can shop 'til they drop in Hull's wide range of well-know and independent fashion shops. Savile Street and George Street are the established home of designer clothing in the city, whilst Princes Quay and the Prospect Centre are home to well-known, high-street stores. 2007 brought Hull the new St Stephens, the £160million shopping centre on the site of the old bus station, is the key milestone in Hull's regeneration, Stephens has provided more 1,300 new jobs and turned a semi-derelict area into a vibrant commercial hub.

After nightfall, Hull is alive with a buzz and energy of its own. Soak up the atmosphere of the Old Town in one of the many traditional hostelries or experience Hull's very own café bar culture; alternatively enjoy a fabulous show at Hull Truck or Hull New Theatre.

3. What is the population?

The 2001 Census registered 243,589 people living in Hull, this was re-adjusted in 2005 to 249,100

4. Why would someone come here to live?

Excellent standard of living, affordable housing, fantastic local amenities, Hull is both welcoming and unthreatening. The city is a jewel, subtle and delightfully unpretentious with a culture of tolerance and acceptance.

5. How is the city divided up? Areas? City centre vs. suburbs?

Hull is divided into 4 main areas, Central, North, West & East

Central Hull being the main mix of the shopping, clubs and bars, flats & apartments fringed with high density low cost housing.

Both west & North Hull, leading out of the city offers middle class living in 1930/40’s style semi-detached housing. Leading out into the suburbs with vast new housing being built linking villages Willerby, Cottingham to the west and Woodmansy & Bevelery to the north. Heading out along the east the area is dominated by the docks and Ferry terminals.

6. Locality to London?

As the crow fly’s you are looking at 150 miles to London, Central London by road is 215 Miles away.

7. Transport Links? (Airports, Tube, Buses, Trains, Motorway access, Trams)

Rail Transport

The Yorkshire and Humberside region has excellent rail links with the rest of the UK as befits its central position. It enjoys a key position in the national rail network and is well serviced by the Inter-City 125 high speed trains, making it possible to be in London in around 2 hours from all parts of the region. There are at least 2 trains per hour to and from London and Doncaster, the journey takes only an hour and a half on the non stop service. The electrification of the East Coast main line has been a major improvement to inter city services throughout the region. By rail Hull is served by Inter City and other services that include trains to and from London (Kings Cross) - 2 hours and 41 minutes The main feature of the Inter City timetable is that it is arranged to permit a full day's business in London without the need for an overnight stay.

Air Transport

The Humber Bridge effectively doubled the size of Humberside International Airport's trading catchment area and has prompted considerable investment in new facilities .The airport is located on the south bank of the river and is about 30 minutes drive from the centre of Hull. A new terminal building, additional retail space and improved technical services were made in the late 80's. A £5.2m, 678 metre runway extension has recently been officially opened in time for the holiday season. Scheduled services are operated by Air UK to Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Bergen, Edinburgh, Esjberg, Glasgow, Newcastle, Norwich, Teeside and summer services to Guernsey and Jersey. Cimber Air offer services to Esjberg and Sonderborg.

The airport handles a considerable volume of helicopter, private charter and air taxi traffic and is an important base for offshore gas field personnel working in the North Sea. It also hosts an international air show in July each year. There are four airports in or within easy reach of Hull; Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Teeside and the East Midlands. Together they offer a wide range of domestic and international services. Over the past few years increasing congestion at the London airports, both in air traffic and access to airport terminals, has increased the demand for alternatives to Heathrow and Gatwick. Regional airports have significantly expanded their international flights' scope and frequency.

8. Access to the countryside?

From any point in the city you are never more than 30minutes away from the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, open planes of Lincolnshire or the rugged beauty of the east coast.

9. Nightlife? Bars / Restaurants / Clubs / Theatre

Hull offers an abundance of bars, clubs, late night cafes, getting away from the city centre Hull has a thriving student population catered for in areas such as Princess Avenue with its modern bars, jazz nights, award winning restaurants. Out to the north of the city you have large modern estates such as Kingswood offering multiplex cinemas, bowling complexes modern restaurants. Hull has no less than 3 theatres catering for anything from concerts to the ballet to newly scripted plays at the Hull Truck Theatre.

10. Is this a good city for shopping? What are the specialist / popular stores?

Every major high street brand is present on the high streets of Hull, from Next to Zara’s. With the new St Stephens shopping centre opening just 12 months ago every taste is easily accessed.

11. Cafes?

Yes, From specialist café bars to high street coffee shops. Nero, subway, Starbucks are all here.

12. What would you say to people who don’t want to live in the city centre? Where should they look?

Modern no hassle living can be found in areas such as Kingswood with its mix of large executive homes to the 1st time buyer homes. The many villages surrounding the city cater for every taste; Beverley, Hedon, Willerby and Cottingham are all easy to get too from the main city centre.

13. What do you think is the perception of the city? Is it growing in popularity?

The media perception of Hull portrays the city as dull, crime ridden with poor schooling. This is simply not true. Hull offers a wide choice of things to do, crime levels have dropped by over 40% in the last year alone. With the affordable housing people have more disposable income and are making the most of this vibrant modern city. Hull university in leading the way and attracting students from all over the world, Hull has the countries leading Architectural schooling and construction colleges.

14. What areas of the city should people look as a FTB?

From modern apartments under 100k on the on the Victoria dock area, 5 minutes walk from the town centre to the many terraced houses build between 1850 & 1910 that surround the city for sale around 65k FTB have a wide selection of styles to chose from.

15. What areas of the city for an Investment?

Regeneration areas YOU KNOW THIS ONE

16. What areas of the city for Family homes?

The city has many areas that fit within a families budget but a key area is the James Reckitt area to the east of the city, it always proves popular due to excellent schooling at Malet Lambert School and houses costing between 90k and 150k easily affordable on an average families income.

17. What areas of the city for an Aspirational property?

New executive style housing estates are springing-up in areas like Kingswood to the north and Hessle to the west, prices range from 140k to anything up to 450k and with all the amenities and infrastructure in place in place these are proving area people are aspiring to live.

18. How has the area changed recently?

Investment in the city over the last 10 years has dragged the city in to the 21st century. £727million of investment, especially by the waterfront, where The Deep, Hull's landmark aquarium, is already drawing the crowds. St Stephens, the £160million shopping centre on the site of the old bus station, is "the key milestone in Hull's regeneration Quay West is a £300million project due for completion in 2013, with Europe's first fully digital cinema already having opened there last year. And the £165 million Humber Quays business district includes waterfront offices with high-profile tenants such as the Royal Bank of Scotland and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The adjoining residential scheme, Freedom Quay, developed by Nikal, saw 75 per cent of its 51 apartments sell within two hours, many to local owner-occupiers. £100million Investment on the river's East Bank, will connect the old town by a new swing bridge over the river Hull. And with work about to start on the 600 apartments on its river bank, new hotels and car parking the whole of the city is feeling the optimism, people are starting to realize Hull is the place to be.

19. Has it become more or less family friendly?

With its family friendly café culture, open green spaces such as Queens Gardens, West Park, East Park’s boating lake, Free museums, The Central Marina Hull offers something for every family today, Hull as always had a “look after the bains” (ull slang for kids) attitude and this is still engrained in every aspect of Hulls culture.

20. Which areas are Booming? Are there any thriving/up and coming Business Areas? New housing developments?

£165 million Humber Quays business district includes waterfront offices with high-profile tenants such as the Royal Bank of Scotland and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Business centers at the Deep to encourage fledgling businesses, the support of Humber Forward and Business link all thrive to create new and exciting businesses to the city. 2000 new homes being built at Kingswood to the north, the regeneration of the river banks all support Hull as a leading city. Not forgetting Hull is home to the BBC’s newest regional TV & Radio studio, housed in new £25 million state of the art headquarters right in the City centre.

A range of important new industries have also been established in Hull, including offshore services, clothing, electronics and computer processing, food additives, and processing, commodity dealing and distribution and laser and other specialised high technology development. At the docks area Associated British Ports is carrying out a sustained reorganisation and investment programme that has made Hull one of the best equipped freight and passenger carrying centres in the country.

21. Catalysts for change in the city? Big events / Olympics? / New business? / Shopping centre/mall (Describe all)

Woodford Leisure Centre in east Hull and Costello Stadium in west Hull had been included on an official national list of possible training venues for the 2012 Games.

The world’s leading global yacht race for non-professional sailors is to start and finish from the Humber in 2009-10. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which was created by legendary yachtsman and record-breaking circumnavigator Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, is the most prestigious event of its type in the yachting calendar; its move to Hull & Humber will be the first time a UK east coast port has hosted such an event.

The 160m St Stephens shopping centre (mentioned above)

22. Cultural developments? Any new galleries / cinemas / theatres / sports centres / stadiums / parks / museums?

• Hull Truck theatre due to open spring 2008 at a cost of 14.5m
• New digital cinema VUE at Princess Quay shopping centre cost 5m
• 43.5m KC stadium home to Hull City FC
• 5m investment into East park
• The Deep, the world's only submarium

23. Schools / Education / UNIVERSITY?
Education

• In national league tables, the University of Hull is ranked in the top 10 for higher education in Chemistry, Drama and Electronic Engineering.
• Hull is officially the UK’s friendliest university.
• The Hull York Medical School has recently been ranked joint first among UK medical schools.
• Hull College has been recognised as one of the top FE establishments in the country

24. Ethnicity of area?

Predominately Caucasian with strong communities of Kurdish, Polish, east European & Chinese.

25. Climate

Typical north eastern climate

26. Sum up why the city is brilliant.

Hull is striving to be a top 10 city in everything it does and regeneration and renaissance have been palpable over the last few years. Since 2002, Hull has had its own Urban Regeneration Company (URC), Hull Citybuild Ltd. The company is working with its partners; Hull City Council, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships driving forward the City Centre Masterplan, an investment framework that is delivering a massive physical face-lift. If the city succeeds in these aspirations it will see £1.4 billion of private sector investment, £240 million of residential investment, 3,000 new homes, 5,200 new office, retail and leisure jobs and 4,500 additional people living in the city centre over the next 10 years.

Already new buildings are taking shape and changing the skyline of Hull, creating jobs and stimulating the city centre economy, and this growth will continue as City continues its 10-year long-term strategy for the city. The city centre is buzzing, as more and more people choose to set up home in the heart of Hull. City living has gone from virtually nil 5 years ago to over 1,500 new units to date - some are refurbishments of elegant old waterside wharfs, others are completely new developments.

27. OUTRO: One Liner for close of show.

This is a time of great change in Hull – Hull one of England’s best kept secrets is well and truly open for business and heading towards its goal of being a top 10 UK city

NOTES

BUSINESS Key to investment (projects already up and running)

• £45.5 m The Deep Millennium project, welcomes as many visitors as London Zoo and is the second most successful Millennium project. It has placed Hull, well and truly on the tourist map. Designed by Sir Terry Farrell, this iconic Submarium, tells the story of the world’s oceans, and has already begun a second phase of expansion of £6.5 m extension, to cope with burgeoning visitor demand and take it to its next exciting stage.
• £43.5 m Kingston Communications Stadium is home for two of the city’s professional teams, the recently promoted Hull City AFC and Super League Hull RLFC. The 25,000-seater stadium has already welcomed Sir Elton John, Bryan Adams, Blue and two international Under 21’s football matches through its gates. Funded entirely by Hull City Council, this much loved Stadium began its illustrious career completely debt free and plays an integral role in the fabric of the local community and is playing a vital role in the physical and social regeneration of the West Hull area.
• £30 m of PFI investment went towards creating a state of the art Acute Maternity and Gynaecology centre for the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The Maternity Hospital provides a full range of maternity services, 85 beds, 16 delivery suites, 38 neo natal special care baby unit cots and five theatres. It is one of the most advanced specialist NHS units in the country, offering comprehensive care facilities for mothers and babies across the region.
• £25 m BBC Regional Centre opened during 2004 and is the first new regional centre for many years. It will increase and improve the innovative broadcasting initiatives in Hull with a new broadcasting and digital training centre, using Kingston Communications unique interactive broadband technology. As well as offering Headstart, an education initiative to support learning in the classroom, the new centre includes cyber café and training facilities for the general public. The new state of the art centre has both Television and Radio broadcasting from its new Hull base, right in the heart of the city.
• £175 m St Stephen’s development comprises a brand new state of the art transport interchange system designed by Wilkinson Eyre. St Stephens’ is the second largest mixed use city centre regeneration project within the UK, led by ING Real Estate; this huge project will feature retail, leisure and housing and provide a new home for the world renowned Hull Truck Theatre. The development also includes an innovative, integrated transport interchange that will provide new state of the art facilities for travelers in and around the Hull area.
• £50 m LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust). Two Primary Care Trusts in Hull have won £30m of LIFT funding to redevelop the city’s primary care health premises. Working in partnership with the private sector through the Sewell Group, the capital programme will deliver state of the art facilities across the city over the next 25 years.
• £165m Humber Quays is a prime office-led waterfront development, taking full advantage of the stunning waterside views. The scheme includes a major new public plaza and promenades will encourage visitors and residents to enjoy the continuous riverside walkway and buildings and create a new location for cultural facilities in the city.
• £22 m Hull York Medical School. A joint venture created between Hull and York universities that will provide a total of 650 medical places, with the first students commencing their studies in 2003.