Hull licensees welcome UK City of Culture boost
Hull fought off competition from Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay to earn the prestigious title and now has three years to develop and prepare its programme for 2017.
Increase in business
Lee Kirman, who took over the Minerva Hotel, in Nelson Street 11 months ago, described the accolade as ‘fantastic for the city’ and said it would ‘definitely’ increase business.
“It gives Hull a real good feel good factor and people will embrace it more,” he told The PMA.
“Our pub is central to the Humber area and a lot of cultural activities are based around the fruit market area. We’re striving to get involved as much as we can.”
Good for trade
Dennis Wann, licensee of the Sail Makers Arms, High Street, a pub situated in the museum quarter of the city where buildings date from the 14th to 18th century, welcomed the news.
However, he said the build up to 2017 would require a lot of work to keep up the momentum that had been generated so far.
“I think it will be good for trade because of the amount of effort that’s been put in already for the bid,” he said.
“I think Hull is a much maligned city, I don’t come from Hull but it’s about time it got some of the recognition it deserves for what it is. [The UK City title] is good for the city, it puts us on the map a bit more.”
Badge of honour
Ursula Owen, licensee of the Kingston Arms in Thomas Street added: “It will be a good thing for the pubs in the City but it’s not going to do anything for the pubs outside,” she said. “I don’t think it will affect my working day to day life.”
The UK City of Culture first started in 2010 with the aim of helping tourism and the economy. Hull, which is home of poet Philip Larkin, will follow Londonderry - the 2013 City of Culture.
Visit England’s chief executive James Berresford said: “This cultural badge of honour is a tremendous opportunity for Hull to thrive as a tourist destination and attract important inward investment, and VisitEngland looks forward to helping with this.
"I wish Hull all the best in maximising the potential of the city’s cultural heritage and look forward to the many celebrations and events to come as a result.”
