Hull given chance to shine once more as UK City of Culture 2017
LEFT DAMAGED and broken by two world wars and the decline of the fishing industry, its image as a rundown backwater has haunted Hull for decades.
Despite its picturesque waterside location, easy ferry access to Europe and some of the most attractive buildings in the country, the city had taken a tumble in fortunes since the 1970s, following the loss of its main industry during the Cod Wars with Iceland.
Having spent many years at the bottom of national economic and education league tables, experiencing high unemployment and deprivation, in 2003 it topped the list in the book Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places To Live In The UK.
So when Hull was announced as the UK’s City of Culture 2017, it was no wonder people reacted with incredulity.
I think it is a place that has hidden cultural depths
Cricket hero Andrew Flintoff tweeted: “It’s not April Fool’s today, is it?” and he was far from alone in his reaction.
Yet the cynics are about to be proven wrong. After almost 70 years of decline, Hull is finally emerging from the shadows and looking forward to the kind of boom years not seen since Queen Victoria’s reign.
Hull is only the second UK City of Culture, a concept dreamed up by former Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, who wanted to build on the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008, which brought significant social and economic benefits for the area.
“There was a sense of snobbery in the cultural world,” says Burnham.
“An assumption that these kind of big events couldn’t be held in the North or outside London. Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture turned all that on its head.”
Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, debuted the UK scheme in 2013 and saw a 25 per cent increase in hotel room sales in the first six months alone.
Having seen how Liverpool, and Glasgow before it in 1990, profited from its year in the spotlight, with bumper visitor numbers and a multi-million pound boost to the economy, the then-Culture Secretary seized upon an idea put to him by Brookside creator Phil Redmond, which would see similar benefits spread to other UK cities.
“I am really excited about Hull’s year ahead,” says Burnham.
“The concept was about putting the city in the spotlight and letting the country see it in a new light. I think it is a place that has hidden cultural depths. The Housemartins, Everything But The Girl and Philip Larkin – some of my own personal favourites – all came to fame in Hull.
“Now I want to see this City of Culture year turn into a runaway success, which is why I appeal to the people of the North to visit Hull at least once this year.”
The city, which has a population of 258,000, was selected from a shortlist including Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay.
Redmond, who chaired the panel, says Hull was the unanimous choice as it put forward “the most compelling case based on its theme as a ‘city coming out of the shadows’.”
More than £30million is being spent on the year’s events and £25million has been invested in revamping the city centre and refurbishing the Ferens Art Gallery and main theatre.
Streets and public buildings have been upgraded and a £700,000, 350-seat outdoor theatre is being built in the disused central dry dock. It is hoped all of this will attract businesses and create jobs.
The city recently secured a £310million commitment from German-owned Siemens to build new offshore wind turbines, creating up to 1,000 jobs.
According to the Labour MP for Hull West, Alan Johnson, the city is on the verge of a “windrush”. “It’s like oil to Aberdeen,” he declares and predicts a bright future.
“Hull suffered devastating effects after the collapse of its fishing industry in the 1970s. All that is changing. It took six years to secure the Siemens investment, beating 104 possible locations that the company was considering in Northern Europe.
“The bid for City of Culture was part of a plan developed by local politicians and business leaders to use the arts as a way to further boost the local economy.
“Millions of people will now experience the delights of this great city and its people for the first time.”
Hull begins 2017 as UK City of Culture with fireworks display
From finding itself named the worst city to live in just over a decade ago, Rough Guides has chosen Hull as one of the Top 10 cities in the world to visit this year and US ambassador Matthew Barzun recently named it as the British city he would miss most when he returns to America.
Karl Turner, Labour MP for Hull East, believes this year gives “Hull the chance to tell the world about who we are and what makes us great”.
He adds: “The city is back on the map and being recognised as a key visitor destination this year and for years to come.
“Since the announcement, we have seen companies line up to want to invest, with over £1billion flowing in so far.
“Hull has so much to offer and it is great that we have the chance to be in the limelight once more.
“It has had a tough history but we have turned that around. We have rebuilt and regenerated, and now have the confidence that a modern city should have.”