Latest news with #PaulDrake-Davis
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon begins search for warehouse workers
An event has been held to recruit up to 2,000 workers for Amazon's new warehouse near Hull. The retailer teamed up with Hull and East Riding councils to stage the event at the city's Central Library in Albion Street. The facility at Melton West Business Park is expected to open later this year as part of Amazon's £40bn UK expansion plan. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for economic renewal, said: "Amazon's investment demonstrates the confidence that global companies have in the region's economy." Information was provided about warehouse operative roles. Beth Dawson, who attended the event, said: "I thought this would be a great opportunity for me because I keep getting rejected from jobs. I hope I'll be able to get a job and start as soon as possible." She said it was "really hard" to find employment and welcomed the opportunity to meet with Amazon representatives. "I've always thought somewhere like Amazon would be a great opportunity," she said. Another jobseeker, Hussain, who did not want to give his surname, added: "I'm looking for a job and I heard about it through the employment hub. I'd like an administrative job but at the end of the day any kind of job because I really badly need a job." Amazon spokesman Neil Williams said: "There's a range of jobs and a wide variety of roles ranging from IT through to robotics engineers and HR professionals. There's a huge range of skills we will be looking for in recruitment and we're looking for people who want to develop a career." Drake-Davis said the decision by Amazon to invest is "a real shot in the arm for the area's employment opportunities". Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Amazon Hull City Council Amazon to recruit staff for new Melton warehouse New Amazon centre to create up to 2,000 jobs Jobs boost as Amazon announces plan for new site
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rail ale: ticket office to become 'quality' bar
Hull Paragon's former ticket office and hall are to be turned into a "high quality" bar, officials said. The city council has awarded grants totalling £315,000 to Hull Tap Limited to help fund the work. The BBC understands the company will run the bar as Thornbridge And Co, creating about 15 jobs. The former ticket office is occupied by WH Smith, which will move to a vacant unit on the opposite side of the station's concourse, next to Costa Coffee. The hall is vacant. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: "It is pleasing that a large unit will be occupied, thanks to grant funding." He added: "These awards are also helping to maintain city centre presence for a national brand in WH Smith, whilst safeguarding jobs." Morrison's also recently submitted plans for a small store in the station, next to Starbucks. Drake-Davis added: "Morrisons' that Hull is a place that high street brands want to be [in] and will only add to the offering for commuters and passengers alike." The council said it allocated a portion of government funding received in 2021 to create a grant scheme, which aims to bring back into use empty units and create city centre jobs. More than £9m has so far been awarded to businesses, creating added around 900 jobs, it said. Since its closure in around 2007, the ticket hall has been used as a cycle park and a mobility scooter hire centre. It was also used by the makers of the 2024 film Blitz. Planned features for the hall include leather and hardwood fixed seating for 150 customers. A bar counter will be built in the former ticket office, the council added. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Ticket office closures 'discriminatory' - council Safe space for vulnerable opens at city station Hull City Council
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Report empty homes and we'll revamp them
People are being urged to report empty houses so they can be brought back into use. Hull City Council has launched the appeal as part of national Empty Homes Week. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, who leads on housing at the authority, said the city had "a high level of housing need". But there were 4,767 private homes known to be empty, with 1,963 of them out of use for six months or more. "Empty – usually dilapidated – properties deprive people of much-needed homes," Drake-Davis said. "They also have a negative effect on neighbourhoods, making them look uncared for and can encourage anti-social behaviour and rodent infestations." He said the council would do "everything within our power" to bring homes back into use and called on residents to help by offering their "local knowledge". According to the council, an empty home can be reported on the authority's website. It will then be checked and boarded up, with rubbish cleared and any water leaks stopped. The owner will be contacted to discuss the next steps, which could include a sale to a private landlord, an agreement allowing the council to rent it out, or acquisition by the council. A spokesperson for the authority said it was "retrofitting" empty properties to be "more energy efficient and healthier". One example of this work was in De Grey Street, where a row of flats and houses was being brought back into use by contractor Kingston Works Limited. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Hull City Council Views sought on plan for new homes in Hull Housebuilding plan approved by city council More than 200 homes approved for Hull
BBC News
04-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Report empty homes and we'll revamp them, says Hull City Council
People are being urged to report empty houses so they can be brought back into City Council has launched the appeal as part of national Empty Homes Paul Drake-Davis, who leads on housing at the authority, said the city had "a high level of housing need".But there were 4,767 private homes known to be empty, with 1,963 of them out of use for six months or more. "Empty – usually dilapidated – properties deprive people of much-needed homes," Drake-Davis said."They also have a negative effect on neighbourhoods, making them look uncared for and can encourage anti-social behaviour and rodent infestations."He said the council would do "everything within our power" to bring homes back into use and called on residents to help by offering their "local knowledge".According to the council, an empty home can be reported on the authority's website. It will then be checked and boarded up, with rubbish cleared and any water leaks owner will be contacted to discuss the next steps, which could include a sale to a private landlord, an agreement allowing the council to rent it out, or acquisition by the council.A spokesperson for the authority said it was "retrofitting" empty properties to be "more energy efficient and healthier".One example of this work was in De Grey Street, where a row of flats and houses was being brought back into use by contractor Kingston Works to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Compulsory land purchase given the go-ahead
Land for a major new housing development on the bank of the River Hull will be compulsorily purchased if necessary, council leaders have said. The East Bank Urban Village will see up to 850 homes and a promenade built on the eastern bank of the river. Hull City Council owns about half the land set aside for the project and is seeking ownership of the rest. The council's cabinet has authorised the use of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) if an agreement with landowners cannot be reached. Some of the land is privately owned and some belongs to Homes England. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the cabinet has also consented to the start of early site work. The money will come from the government's Levelling Up Fund. Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said he was "very happy to get the ball rolling" and added that it would be "one of the biggest transformation schemes in Hull's history". Council leader Mike Ross said the development would help Hull reach the new housing targets set by the government. Earlier this month, the council set out its plans to sign a 15-year deal with ECF – a partnership between Muse, Legal & General and Homes England – to be the lead developer for the project. ECF chair Sir Michael Lyons said: "East Bank Urban Village is an ambitious plan to deliver a dynamic and vibrant new neighbourhood. "We'll work closely with communities as we progress to ensure the benefits of regeneration are felt at every level." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Partner chosen for River Hull regeneration project Archaeologists start dig on city's east bank Extra £17m needed for city centre redevelopment Hull City Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
