The problem with that piece of land, other than the fact that it's allegedly the home of some great crested newts, is that it's surrounded on all three sides by active train lines, so would need a bridge to get on to it (and it can only be accessed from the corporate car parks, some of which would be lost if you built a bridge)...
The reason they won't give out the information had nothing to do with the Allams, they've always refused to say what revenue the fair generates, including long before the Allams were around. If it is a large amount, they should probably tell people, it might stop them getting so much grief over keeping it empty just to use for a week a year.
The council probably rake in a few extra bob from the parking fines that are dished out during Fair week because they flood the area with traffic wardens. Most of the local and not so local traders take a hit. Although some do benefit. As far back as the early 60's the poor turnout for the Beatles first appearance in Hull on Holderness Road was put down to the Fair being in town. Having traded within spitting distance of the Fair for 30 years and lived and worked around there before that I know personally that Fair week is a nightmare. Some shops/businesses actually close for the week. Traffic congestion, massive parking problems that get worse every year, rubbish, vandalism and crime for some reason. Most locals over the age of 20 are glad to see the back of it. Personally I think it's dated and nothing special at all these days, not when mini fairs are allowed to spring up all over the city throughout the rest of the year. There must be something in it for the council because they defend the Showman's Guild's rights to hold the annual fair there above everything else.
... or that it doesn't make money at all? Maybe there's some other reason(s) that make it seem like they dare not move it?
Odd that on one side of the MKM stadium HCC defends the history and rights of a travelling fair that only exists for one week and leaves no trace whilst on the other side, on this photo, concrete evidence of our historic first football ground does still exist and is left to rot under bramble bushes by the council, completely unrecognised?
I do think you're reading that wrong, but as the figures aren't in the public domain it's not possible to prove it. I think it's more likely that the fair makes a fairly big sum for the council, but they're worried if stall holders knew how big they'd be crying for reduced rents etc.
I once had a chat with a guy years ago who believed there where good backhanders going on as the same attractions where always in the same prime locations. Just his take.
That's why it feels like it must be relatively little, because as you say if it was a lot it'd stop the pressure.
I think there's also a decent chance they don't want other cities to know how much they benefit from it, as they don't want them setting one up elsewhere.
Every time the fair comes up the point about it taking money out of the city gets made. Can someone please tell me the difference between spending money at the fair and spending money on a holiday/weekend away/awayday/buying online from a company based outside of Hull with regards to the local economy?
I work for a large retailer. Recently transferred to Sheffield. When in Hull we used to drop sales of 80-100k for Hull fair week. We are mostly food and drink for households private use. Whilst not a local business I would assume it has the same knock on effect for local shops.
This is a lot of discussion about the fair based on a lot of assumption. We don't know what City's plans are or whether they will want to use that land, and we don't know what the council's stance will be if they do. Assuming that everything is the same as when the previous owner wanted to build on that land but only if he could have the entire site for free is quite a leap.
