East Riding Council Gives £1m To Support Hull 2017
The funding will be used to help the city deliver its 2017 City of Culture celebrations.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has set aside £1m to help Hull deliver its City of Culture celebrations.
It's 500 days until the start of Hull's year in the spotlight.
The council’s partnership with the Hull 2017 company will deliver a £1m package of funding and support to help stage and enhance the UK City of Culture celebrations, alongside opportunities for local residents and cultural venues to play their part in a year of transformative arts and culture that will resonate across the north of England, the UK and beyond.
The partnership recognises the huge impact that UK City of Culture status will have across Hull and the East Riding, particularly as a driver for tourism.
In 2017 alone, the UK City of Culture initiative is set to inject an additional £60 million into the local economy, attracting over one million additional visitors.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
"East Riding of Yorkshire Council is delighted to be supporting Hull, UK City of Culture 2017 as a principal partner and believes that the investment made by this authority will provide numerous benefits for East Riding residents and local communities in being able to fully engage with the celebrations planned for the year.
"Hull, UK City of Culture 2017 will provide a national and global platform to showcase the cultural offer of our areas as well as the opportunity to promote the city and wider East Riding as a must-see tourist destination, a sector vital to both economies and one which both councils are keen to grow."
Martin Green, chief executive of the Hull 2017 company, said:
“With 500 days to go until the start of 2017, I’m delighted to welcome East Riding of Yorkshire Council on board as a principal partner.
“UK City of Culture will have a positive impact on the whole region and, as Hull’s closest neighbours, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and its residents have a key role to play.
“We are of course looking forward to welcoming everyone to a spectacular year of events in Hull that we hope will excite, inspire and encourage more people to see, experience and participate in arts and culture.
“Alongside this, there will be opportunities for people in Hull and the East Riding to get involved in our volunteering and education programmes and, with the national and international spotlight on Hull, the opportunity to shine a light on the talent and cultural offer of the whole area.”
Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council, said:
“On behalf the host city, I am absolutely delighted that East Riding of Yorkshire Council has signed up to support Hull 2017.
“UK City of Culture status means a great deal to the people of Hull and, as part of our City Plan, to the future economic prosperity of both the city and the surrounding area.
“As local councils, we have an opportunity to maximise and harness the benefits that UK City of Culture will bring to all of our communities. The partnership between Hull 2017 and East Riding of Yorkshire Council is an important step forward in ensuring that happens. It also builds on the partnership work we are already doing through Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) to promote the area as a leading tourist destination.
“Working together, we will ensure that everything is in place to give all of our visitors a great welcome in 2017.”
“Residents and arts organisations across Hull and East Riding should sign up to the Hull 2017 newsletter at www.hull2017.co.uk or follow us @2017Hull for all the latest information about how to get involved.”