Hull’s ambitious £21 million transformation of Queen’s Gardens has been hit with another delay, with the city council now confirming the much-loved green space is not expected to fully reopen until early 2026.
Just last month, the council had said it anticipated the revamped gardens would be completed by the end of this year. However, the timeline has since been revised. Despite the setback, the authority insists the delay isn’t due to any major issues—just a revised schedule to reflect the scale of the work involved.
Council Leader Mike Ross acknowledged the public’s anticipation, saying: “I know people are eager to see the gardens fully reopen, but work of this scale and quality takes time. We know that it’s going to be fantastic when people are able to enjoy the space again.”
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, many parts of the project have already been completed. Two large ponds have been refurbished with new filtration systems and fountains, and the area around the Rose Bowl fountain is expected to reopen to the public “very soon.”
The site has also seen a burst of new life with the planting of 1,280 wildflowers, including foxgloves, primroses, bluebells and wood avens. The plants were supplied by Mires Beck Nursery, a charity based in North Cave that supports adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Council leader Ross even joined in the planting during a recent site visit.
Lynn Dutch, team leader at Mires Beck Nursery, described the opportunity to contribute to the project as “a privilege.”
Once complete, Queen’s Gardens is set to become a vibrant, accessible space with upgraded footpaths, restored water features, improved lighting, and a more biodiverse landscape—designed to host everything from quiet strolls to cultural events.
While the city will need to wait a little longer to see the final results, signs of progress are clearly taking root.
