THE first phase of an ambitious £500,000 facelift is transforming the appearance of one of Hull’s most historic areas. Work to demolish the former Trinity House School is now into its second month.

It has already opened up views of a number of Georgian-era properties, which front on to Whitefriargate, for the first time in 150 years.

Captain Philip Watts, a member of the Trinity House Brethren, said: “The old school was built right in front of the rear of the buildings overlooking Whitefriargate.

“Some of windows of those properties haven’t seen direct sunlight for the best part of 150 years. Now you can see right across to the Marina from some of them.”

The school, which was originally built in the mid-19th century, was declared surplus to requirements after pupils moved to the new-look Trinity House Academy, in George Street, in September last year.

Despite being surrounded by listed buildings in the Trinity House estate, the school itself was not protected.

Its demolition will be followed by a second phase of remedial work to the rear of the properties fronting Whitefriargate. Work will then start on turning the enlarged courtyard area into a 65-space public car park.

Capt Watts said: “The idea behind the car park is to attract more shoppers into the Old Town. By doing so, we will hopefully attract new retailers into some of the empty shops we own in Whitefriargate.

“It is also important to stress that any profits we make from operating the car park will go back into education, either through the Academy or our adventure centre at Welton Waters.”

In addition to the car park, the new-look courtyard will also be available for one-off events. Two historic alleyways leading to Whitefriargate will also be re-opened.

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Capt Watts said: “We are hoping to attract markets and other types of events. We have already had Hull Truck down to have a look, as well as Martin Green, the chief executive of the City of Culture team.

“We think it could provide a great space for events during 2017.”

The current work, being carried out by Hull-based contractors Sam Allon, will see some of the tallest parts of the old school being picked apart by hand.

Michael Outram, the Trinity House charity’s estates manager, said: “The structures include the old main staircase and the plant room.

“Because they are so high and so close to the rear of the buildings in Whitefriargate, the only way to safely demolish them is to take them down brick-by-brick by hand until they get to a certain height.”

Mr Outram said the facelift scheme was probably the biggest undertaken by the ancient charity since the original construction of the school.

“We are hoping to get it all finished by this time next year,” he said. “When it is ready, I think it is going to look really good.”

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