Plans have been submitted for a significant advancement in Hull’s Fruit Market creative quarter, aiming to complete the @TheDock tech campus. This initiative is set to accelerate the growth of the digital cluster within the city.
The Hull-based regeneration company is proposing to develop an additional 31,000 sq ft of office, co-working, and meeting space within the @TheDock development. This multi-million-pound investment is designed to provide the necessary space and facilities for tech companies to collaborate and grow more effectively within Hull. The @TheDock scheme, centred around the C4DI (Centre for Digital Innovation), is already fully occupied, indicating a strong demand for more space among rapidly growing tech companies and others seeking the benefits of this unique collaborative community.
Approximately 200 start-up or scale-up tech firms are associated with C4DI, making it a vital component of Hull’s tech landscape. Additionally, digital innovation teams from notable businesses such as a leading safety company and a global defence and security leader are housed within the @TheDock development. The proposed expansion aims to provide these businesses with the room to grow and create more highly-skilled digital jobs.
The planning application submitted to Hull City Council details new buildings to the north and west of C4DI, currently a car park. These new facilities would offer ‘Grade A’ offices, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and conference areas with ultrafast gigabit internet connections. This expansion will enable C4DI to host more events, educational programmes for SMEs, and expand its support services and incubator programme, thus fostering the development of tech start-ups and scale-ups.
The expansion will also focus on advanced work in key technologies such as the Internet of Things, enhancing the tech community’s capabilities in this area. David Donkin, property director of the regeneration company, remarked, “@TheDock has proven to be hugely successful, transforming a derelict dry dock site into a thriving community of tech-based innovation and enterprise. It has provided a focal point for the tech sector in the city with C4DI recognised as one of the UK’s leading digital hubs.”
Donkin further noted the existing full occupancy at C4DI and @TheDock, stressing the substantial pent-up demand for space from new start-ups to established tech businesses. He stated, “This further investment will add to the hundreds of highly-skilled and well-paid jobs already created on site, while also making a major contribution to the exciting regeneration of the Fruit Market quarter and wider city centre economy.”
John Connolly, Managing Director of C4DI, emphasised the benefits of the additional space, saying, “The additional space will enable C4DI to expand its mentoring and support services significantly and continue to develop our successful model of bringing together fast-tech start-ups with traditional businesses that need access to advanced digital skills and expertise.”
The proposed buildings will include ground-floor parking for 43 cars, electric car ports, cycle storage, and two floors of offices above. The ground floor of the western block will also feature a small retail unit at the corner of Queen Street and Humber Street. Alongside C4DI, the new buildings will form a central plaza. A new entrance via Humber Street, aligning with the historic Queen’s Alley, is also part of the plan. If approved, construction is anticipated to start next summer, with completion expected by spring 2020.
The proposed expansion of the @TheDock tech campus represents a strategic investment in Hull’s digital future, aiming to facilitate the growth of tech companies and create highly-skilled jobs. The project is poised to further establish the city as a vital tech hub in the UK.