Hull MP petitions Parliament on Orchard Park Shopping Centre

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today presented a petition to Parliament from Hull North residents protesting about poor shopping facilities at Orchard Park Shopping Centre.

The petition reads:

"To the House of Commons, the Petition of the Residents of the Orchard Park Housing Estate, Kingston upon Hull, declares that the Orchard Park Shopping Centre is in need of redevelopment. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities to ensure that a redevelopment or refurbishment of the Centre takes place."

Diana is campaigning with local residents and Labour councillors in the Orchard Park and Greenwood Ward to encourage progress towards better shopping amenities.

Plans for new shops are currently being drawn up by developers and will be considered by a group of residents and councillors, with the plans dependent on the level of investment that is made available.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Shopping facilities across Orchard Park and Bransholme in Hull North are simply sub-standard. Orchard Park Shopping Centre is a prime example of a facility that gives an impression of stagnation.

"All those involved the economic regeneration of Hull that has gathered pace since 1997 need to ensure that efforts are not merely focused on the city centre and eye-catching prestige schemes. Residents away from Hull's town centre deserve to have access within walking distance of their homes to a decent choice of shops and other services in a safe and pleasant environment and without being made entirely dependent on the giant supermarket chains."

Orchard Park Labour Councillor Steven Bayes said: "With work starting in the autumn on the health centre and customer service centre we need to add to the money already available to plug the gap of nearly £2 million to guarantee work will start on the new shops."