Hull gears up for next steps in fight to become UK City of Culture

HULL is gearing up for the next stage in its fight to become the UK City of Culture 2017.

Yesterday, it was announced that the East Yorkshire city had reached the final four in the race, after it submitted a bid designed to shine a light on its home grown talent, its growing independent cultural sector and the many artists, writers and musicians who have studied or worked there.

Work has already started, which includes further development of the build-up to and programme for 2017.

Jon Pywell, assistant head of service for city cultural development, said the city now has a significant amount of work to do.

He said: “This is a competition and now we must look at our original bid and put some meat on the bones. We will be looking at programmes on how we can work with local partners and how we can link with international partners. This is important.

“The bid forms part of the city plan and a big part of that is about the visitor economy, which in turn, is about jobs. To get this far is really exciting.”

In the next few months the city will be harnessing the energy and creativity of Hull’s home-grown cultural talent and inviting the many artists, writers, filmmakers who have studied or are from Hull to come back and play a part in the bid.

Peter Aarosin, chair Hull & East Yorkshire Bondholders said: “It is fantastic news that Hull has been selected as one of the four cities from the 11 competing areas for the UK Capital of Culture. It provides an incredible catalyst to nurture and showcase Hull’s energy and creative talents.

“This will improve the city’s cultural offer both for visitors, but also for people who live here like me, who are looking for places to go out on an evening or weekends. If people are spending more money here, it ultimately creates more jobs, making a significant contribution towards Hull’s 10 year City Plan.

“Millions of pounds is being invested around the Humber, we need to make sure we capture as much of the leisure spend as we can.”

Hull joins Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay in the competition.

The cities that missed out were Aberdeen, Chester, East Kent, Hastings and Bexhill on Sea, Plymouth, Portsmouth/Southampton and Southend on Sea.