Hull’s Albion Square Project Moves Forward: Council Seeks Lead Developer

Hull is getting serious about transforming Albion Square, and the search is on for a lead developer to help bring the ambitious project to life. With plans to turn the former BHS building into a bustling, mixed-use development, Hull City Council is taking the next big step—bringing in a private-sector partner to share expertise, funding opportunities, and risk.

Big Plans for a City Centre Revival

If you’ve walked past the old BHS building, you’ll know it’s been sitting empty for too long. Now, the council is pushing ahead with its Albion Square regeneration, aiming to breathe new life into a brownfield site that’s currently underused. The goal? A high-quality space that boosts footfall, encourages city-centre living, and supports Hull’s economy.

By bringing in a lead developer, the council hopes to:

• Tap into private sector expertise to meet modern market demands.
• Unlock external funding to make the project financially viable.
• Share risk, rather than shouldering the full burden alone.

Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, highlighted the importance of securing the right partner:

“Albion Square is a major regeneration project that will bring significant benefits to our city centre. Securing a lead developer partner is key to delivering Albion Square as successful tenders can advise on the latest market demands and help leverage external funding to help make sure the city has a worthy finished product delivered on sound financial footings.”

A Boost from the NHS

A big change to the Albion Square landscape is the arrival of a Community Diagnostic Centre, largely funded by the NHS. Set to open this spring, the centre will offer vital services like:

• CT scans
• X-rays
• MRI scans
• Phlebotomy (blood tests)

With 300 patients expected daily and up to 100 new jobs created, the centre will naturally increase footfall in the area—great news for local businesses.

Cllr Drake-Davis acknowledged how much has changed since the project was first envisioned:

“Since the Albion Square development’s initial inception, there have been significant shifts and changes to the economy, both locally and nationally, as well as the way people use buildings and perceive urban centres. The imminent arrival of the Community Diagnostic Centre on the north-eastern corner of the site has shifted the scope again, but the council welcomes the development and the benefits it will bring to the city centre in terms of footfall to support local businesses.”

What Happens Next?

Until a lead developer is in place, VINCI Construction UK Limited will continue managing the site. Meanwhile, work is about to get underway for crucial infrastructure. From Monday 3 March, traffic management will be in place on the corner of Albion Square and Bond Street as crews dig trenches to connect the Community Diagnostic Centre to essential services.

With momentum building and a clear vision for the site, Albion Square could soon become a thriving part of Hull’s city centre. The next big question? Who will step up as the lead developer to help make it happen?