Hull is a major seaport of considerable historic and architectural importance and the Old Town is designated as a conservation area with its intact medieval street pattern and a variety of Grade II, II* and I listed buildings from the Medieval, Stuart, Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian periods. Until the late 18th century the area now called the Old Town was the walled City of Hull. It is characterised by a mixture of merchant houses and warehouses, along with later offices and shops, reflecting 700 years of commerce, shipping, law, religion, retail and residence.
The Old Town area of Hull has for decades suffered neglect and underinvestment as a result of both local and widespread economic conditions. This began during the post-war period, with the decline of the traditional industries such as fishing, shipping, and the associated
professional services which had previously thrived in and dominated the area. The Old Town area consequently suffers from a fragile economy and low rental levels. The THI scheme has taken place in the context of a range of regeneration initiatives which have the ultimate long-term aim of enabling the property market in the Old Town to become self supporting by increasing investor confidence.
The THI area comprises most of the central/eastern past and the central, western and northern part of the Old Town conservation area. The main aims of the scheme focus on:
- building repairs;
- reinstatement of architectural detail;
- bringing vacant historic floor space into use;
- infilling gap sites in key frontages; and
- public realm works.