The Lord Line building in Hull's St Andrew's Docks is the last standing reminder of a once thriving bustling industry of fishing. An industry many Hull men joined, regardless of risk or tragedy these men went to sea with no guarantee of returning. They did to feed their families and to put fish on the nations tables. These men have had little honour for the massive commitment and sheer bravery they gave when they sailed out to sea fishing. It was an industry of tragedy and heartbreak but also one of community spirit and togetherness, a spirit which still exists within the area of Hessle Road and it's people. 

If we lose the Lord Line building it's the final nail in the coffin of our community. To some it's just bricks and mortar but to many it's everything. The building is a landmark, synonymous with Hull and it's rich maritime history ; it's memories of men who gave their lives to the sea, where the "three day millionaires" used to see the Lord Line and they knew they were home safe. 

There is no reason why the existing buildings couldn't be restored, extended, and the interiors and ground floor entrances remodeled to allow it to flexibly serve a range of new uses relevant to the needs of the community. This would be not only of benefit to the community and city of Hull, but also to the environment as it would avoid the unnecessary waste of the energy and resources used to initially build the Lord Line, and to demolish it and build something else there. 

Even the RIBA and Architects Journal are requesting and showing the benefits of retaining and retrofitting old buildings rather than demolishing them, especially when what they are to be replaced with is made to look like what was originally there - in which case why is it more beneficial to demolish it than retain it, other than the the financial incentives offered by the government for complete new builds - when they should instead be offering these for the more efficient and sensitive refurbishment and retrofitting methods which could be used instead?

St Andrews Dock is a conservation area as it stands,  and the demolition of this building would lose the conservation status and then anything can be built on the Docklands - fishing heritage related or not. Please let's not let that happen!

Hull is the City Of Culture for 2017 let's embrace our culture and save our history!

Please sign the petition and let Hull City Council and Manor Properties know the importance of the Lord Line to Hull and our heritage, and that we will not stand by and watch it dissappear!