Hull will not host the Royal Navy’s recently decommissioned aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.
Confirming that Hull’s bid to bring the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious to the city as a temporary visitor attraction had not made the final shortlist, Hull City Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Brady said:
Although we are disappointed, the effort and investment we put into bidding with our partners on the City Leadership Board has been incredibly beneficial.
We’ve had a significant amount of public support throughout, and although we gave it our best shot, it was made clear during the bidding process that the M.O.D intended to strip the vessel of its historic assets, and were unwilling to provide any long-term funding which, in fact, made it economically unviable as a heritage attraction.
HMS Illustrious was just one part of our wider strategy for maximising the economic potential of our waterfront.
Hull City Council Leader Brady declared that the Council will push ahead with plans for a cruise terminal and other maritime attractions as part of a long-term plan to establish Hull as a world-class visitor destination.
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Press release, Image: UK Navy