Work to protect listed mural ahead of demolition

Work is set to start on the next phase of a major development in Hull, the city council has said.

It is part of the Albion Square redevelopment, which will transform the derelict site into a mixed-use residential, commercial, leisure and cultural space.

The work, due to begin in the new year, will include scaffolding being erected around the Grade II listed Three Ships mural to allow for preservation work to protect its status.

A specialist steel frame will be used to secure the rear of the mural ahead of work to demolish the former BHS building.

The council said it planned for the BHS building to be demolished by the end of 2026 to allow for the redevelopment of Albion Square in 2027.

Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for economic renewal, housing and organisational development, said: "I'm very pleased to see this eagerly awaited project move to the next stage.

"To minimise the time between the completion of the demolition and the construction of the new development, the council aims to appoint a lead development partner, like it did for the East Bank Urban Village, by spring 2026."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Drake-Davis said it was important to appoint an "industry leader" as "we understand how important Albion Square is to the regeneration journey we're taking Hull on".

The Three Ships mural was granted Grade II listed status in 2019.

It depicts three stylised trawlers spelling out Hull with their masts, and was created in 1963 by artist Alan Boyson and comprises almost a million pieces of Italian glass.

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