City of Culture status had incredible impact on port
Jamie Johnson
In 2003, Hull was named as the worst place to live in the UK in a book called Crap Towns.
Thousands of people voted for the East Yorkshire port city to have this dubious accolade, and one former resident told the BBC that their city was “a sad story of unemployment, teenage pregnancy, heroin addiction, crime, violence and rampant selfneglect”.
Fast-forward 14 years, and Hull is basking in the glory of being the UK City of Culture for 2017.
With millions of pounds invested in public life, there is a breath of fresh air and a legacy plan to make sure the impact lasts.
Ahead of the much-anticipated reveal of the winner of the 2021 award, I visited Hull to see what the prize has done for the city.
Getting off the train, the first thing you notice is that Hull is busy.
In the first three months of 2017, there were around 1.4 million visits to more than 450 events and activities.
Hotel occupancy is up 14 per cent and train journeys by 17 per cent.
It’s no wonder, then, that the employment rate is 68 per cent – the highest it has ever been, with more than 500 jobs recently being created.
During a quick pit stop in Two Gingers, a hip coffee shop in Paragon Arcade, I meet Luke Foster and Mayo Binnie.
One is Australian, one is British, both are ginger, and the coffee is great.
They have loved being part of the city of culture and are part of the job creation stats, only setting up their shop in July because it became economically viable with the number of visitors.
“There is a real sense of pride here. We all feel part of a bigger cause,” said Luke.
They are more than happy to offer up their advice on where to go and what to see.
Top of that list, past the town hall and into Victoria Square, is the Ferens Art Gallery.
Hosting this years Turner Prize exhibition, the venue has seen a huge boost in visitors. Even better, entry is free. Grandparents, toddlers, couples and students file in and mill around the gallery while smiling volunteers dart around offering assistance.
On Humber Street, I hit Fruit, a former warehouse that now describes its functions as: Live music, art, theatre, cinema, comedy, craft beer, markets, festivals and bar.
I think that description undersells it.
On a crisp Sunday afternoon in the run-up to winter, two hipsters strum on acoustic guitars and tap away on loop pedals while catching the eyes of girls in the crowd.
At the bar, the craft beer is plentiful and there is a chilled-out buzz about the place. The people are happy. This is no surprise, as 70 per cent of people who have been to an event as part of the City of Culture say it has positively affected their lives.
Other highlights include the spectacular aquarium The Deep, the museum of deep sea fishing on board the Arctic Corsair ship and Hull’s Truck Theatre.
An interim report said nine out of 10 residents had attended or experienced a cultural event or activity as part of Hull UK City of Culture.
Martin Green, director of Hull 2017, was so shocked at the figure that he said he had to have it double checked.
Speaking earlier this year, he said: “There is always a danger that these projects feel that they’re only for certain people and feel that they’re being done to people.
“The emerging big story of this year is how the people of this city have taken ownership of their year.”
More than 100 venues have hosted events in Hull in 2017, from poetry recitals to rock concerts, debates to theatrical performances. And money has followed. Despite there being no monetary support or prize attached to the UK City of Culture title, Hull has successfully secured a £250 million pledge from the City Council over the next 10 years to secure the legacy.
They have also received funding from a number of bodies including the English Arts Council.
Plans include a new £30 million music hall, a £50 million cruise terminal and more than £100 million to be invested developing the city centre.
In the city centre, it is clear that help is needed.
Architecturally it’s beautiful, but some parts can feel superficial, like the cracks have just been papered over.
Cash Converters and Pound Shops are doing a roaring trade, while travel agents and fashion stores are closing down.
This is certainly a city that has come out of the shadows, but it still shows signs of suffering from the loss of its fishing and shipping industry.
But the future is certainly brighter than in 2003.
Recently, Sam Jordison, author of Crap Towns, said: “Ten years ago people couldn’t wait to get away from Hull.
“Now they’ll be queuing up to visit. I’ll be with them.”