New in 2025
Stepney new barrow beat-style streetcare operative
Improving cleanliness, litter and graffiti were some of the top priorities identified by the community in the 2024 survey. Stepney HSA Partnership approved funding for a 12-month fixed term post to appoint a dedicated Streetcare operative to build local relationships and raise cleanliness standards in the area.
The operative will engage with businesses and residents to undertake tasks ranging from -
- small-scale planting
- litter-picking
- rapid graffiti response and paint cover
- community engagement
- weeding
- tree, planter and shrub care
The relationship with the community, developed by a member of staff in a ‘barrow-beat’ role will contribute to the long-term legacy of the project and the face to face understanding of council services.
The Love Stepney streetcare operative took up his post in March 2025 and can now be seen daily, contributing to ‘Keep Stepney Tidy’. This will also include the launch of a campaign, which will encourage the local businesses and community to get involved. More to follow.
Getting tough on graffiti
Tackling graffiti has been identified by the community as a priority for the Stepney area. The Stepney HSA Partnership have funded a graffiti hotwash machine. This will be used to tackle this issue, supported by our streetcare operative.
Information has been shared with our local businesses. We will be working together to remove graffiti, where the owner’s consent is provided.
You can find out more information and report graffiti by visiting our graffiti page.
Other activity
Look out for our ‘Stepney HSA’ high-viz jackets out and about doing more regular litter picks in the high street with the help of our volunteers, Hull Summit Education Society, the Youth Justice Team and Love Your Street.
Frontage Improvement Scheme
Local businesses in the Stepney focus area (between Stepney Lane and St Hildas Street) can now apply for up to £3000 to help with low cost frontage improvements. This enables small business owners to do work that will have a positive impact on the street frontage (in line with the area vision), for example -
- repainting of fascias and shutters
- minor repairs
- signage improvements
- aesthetic improvements such as window vinyls
- small scale accessibility improvements to repair broken steps or mobile ramps
- removal of roller shutters and satellite dishes
The scheme will consider applications for 100% of the costs, up to £3,000 per unit. Funding is limited and will be made available on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
Conservation Areas and how they could this affect your application
Conservation Areas are defined areas of special architectural and historic interest. Stepney is part of the Beverley Road Conservation Area. You can read more about the Beverley Road Conservation Area Management Plan here.
The intention of a Conservation Area is not to stop development but to ensure that it’s character and appearance is preserved or enhanced. For this reason, certain types of work will need the following forms of formal approval from us when undertaking works to a shop front, for example planning permission
In a Conservation area such as Beverley Road, planning permission is needed to -
- alter an existing shop front
- install a new shop front
- install or replace an external security grill or shutter on a shop front
Advertising consent will also be needed for all forms of illuminated advertisements within a Conservation area (with some exemptions). Advertising consent may also be required for advertisements or signage over 0.3 square metres or 1.2 square metres in dimension or where at first floor level or deeper box signs that project outwards from the front of the building.
If your proposal includes any of the above you will need to apply for consent, in addition to your grant application. You can find more information on our downloads page.
If in doubt, seek advice before making your application. Any grant offers made are provisional and subject to these consents being approved. No works should take place until you have -
- the relevant permissions
- a final grant offer letter
- approval to start work
If your business is in this area, you can contact Ian.Archibald@hullcc.gov.uk or StepneyHighStreetAccelerator@hullcc.gov.uk to find out if you qualify.
Coming soon
In April 2025 we are making preparation for the greening works in Sculcoates Park. We will provide updates shortly.