Former M&S becomes home to new Hull job centre in response to pandemic

A Yorkshire property developer has announced that it is working with the government to create a job centre in Hull.

Wykeland Group is working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to create a centre in the city’s former Marks & Spencer building.

The group, which purchased the building last year, has agreed to let the ground floor to the DWP to be used as one of 80 temporary job centres set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

An area of 25,000 sq ft on the ground floor is currently being fitted out to meet the DWP’s Requirements, with the facility due to open this summer.

Tom Watson, Wykeland’s development surveyor, commented: “We are delighted to be working with the DWP to establish this vital facility, which will provide thousands of people with access to the advice and support they need at this difficult time to get back into work.

“We are developing longer-term plans to bring this landmark building back into permanent use but, in the meantime, we had no hesitation in making the ground floor available for this important purpose.

“The former M&S store is one of Hull’s best-known buildings and could not be better located for people from across the region to reach, so it ticks all the boxes in terms of accessibility.

“It also offers a substantial, open-plan space to accommodate large numbers of visitors while maintaining social distancing, so people can visit with confidence.”