Tech hub in Hull's Fruit Market quarter set to create over 200 new jobs

Work has begun on a new building designed to boost the growing tech sector in Hull’s Fruit Market quarter.

The new sister building for Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) in @TheDock tech campus will offer space for tech startups and SMEs in the area.

Comprising 20,000 sq ft over three storeys, the building will have two floors of offices and co-working spaces as well as ground-floor parking for 25 cars, including two electric car ports and a secure cycle unit.

Due to be completed by next summer, the hub is expected to create around 160 tech jobs upon completion, with 60 jobs to be created during the construction phase.

John Connolly, managing director of C4DI, commented: “The start of construction on this new building is exciting and very welcome.

“It will solve two challenges for us – firstly where to house businesses that, through investment or securing new contracts, have outgrown our current building and need a larger space.

“Secondly, where to accommodate earlier stage businesses that are ready to move from our co-working space and take their first steps in growing their businesses.

“The development of this building highlights the growth of the sector and how the infrastructure, support and connectivity we have in Hull have accelerated the growth of businesses here in ways that would not have been possible elsewhere.”

The hub is the latest phase of redevelopment of the Fruit Market quarter by developer Wykeland, which has led the regeneration of the once-derelict area of the city.

David Donkin, property director of Hull-based Wykeland, added: “This new building will be much more than a place of work.

“It will complement the existing C4DI building and create the capacity and facilities to accelerate further the exciting growth of the tech economy in Hull and across the wider region.

“The building will offer a range of office sizes to meet pent-up demand from startup, scale up and established technology businesses that need space to grow, as well as shared spaces that support the spirit of community that enables creativity to flourish.”