Hull’s High Street Accelerator Pilot Programme was successfully launched with Action Week this week.
A spring clean of the Stepney Area of Beverley Road has taken place following its confirmation as one of 10 pilots nationally for high street accelerator status.
Hull City Council was awarded almost £250,000 of revenue funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities for the project.
It is working in partnership with local businesses, residents and stakeholders to facilitate change and growth, whilst attracting footfall to the area to help counter challenging economic issues.
Stepney business owners, freeholders and stakeholders were engaged at an early stage and a community partnership, led by chair John Scotney, has now been established to drive forward change in the area.
Residents also have a key role to play and there will be further opportunities to get involved in shaping the vision for the future of the area.
The programme has been launched with Action Week, taking place from 15-22 March, in line with the Great British Spring Clean 2024.
Children from both Stepney Primary School and Hull Trinity House Academy joined council streetscene staff on litter picks in the area, with additional support via the Love Your Neighbourhood initiative.
Other activities included graffiti removal, whilst skips were rotated around the area for residents to dispose of unwanted household items, with several being filled throughout the week, preventing potential fly-tipping.
Action Week was also supported by Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, ReNew and Friends of Pearson Park.
Cllr Jack Haines, the council’s portfolio holder for communities, said: “We’ve seen lots happening in the Stepney area this week and it’s all about restoring pride and delivering real change.
“This scheme is about listening to people and their concerns and whether that’s about cleaning up the area and the environment or anti-social behaviour, we have this funding to support them.
“This empowers communities to come to the council with issues which mean the most to them.
“It’s our job as a council to make the city greener, cleaner and safer.”
Jo Atkinson, head of school at Stepney Primary, said: “At Stepney, we think it’s important to teach our children how to look after the world we live in and for them to recognise that this starts with each and every individual making a positive difference to their own environment.
“It was brilliant for them to get out into the local community and take part in improving our local area.
“The children returned to school buzzing with enthusiasm, proud that they had made a difference and keen to spread the word.
“We are really looking forward to joining in with future High Street Accelerator initiatives.”
More information can be found at hull.gov.uk/Stepney-HSA or by emailing stepneyhighstreetaccelerator@hullcc.gov.uk.
