Investment and culture make Hull a port of call

The legacy of UK City of Culture 2017 has put Hull on the map, with more than £3bn of public and private investment transforming the Yorkshire city.

Day one

Arrival: 2020 sees a £60m investment in a new fleet of hi-tech Hitachi trains which connect to London in two hours and 30 minutes. The nearest airport to Hull is Humberside (HUY) Airport which is 11.2 miles away.

Check-in: DoubleTree by Hilton Hull is a four-star hotel with 165 bedrooms and suites and conference facilities for up to 1,000 theatre-style in pillar-free flexible event space. The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill is available for groups and the Lexington Rooftop Bar & Terrace has an outdoor space with heaters. There is car parking on site and located close to A63 linking to major motorways. Humberside Airport is 30 min away.

Morning conference: The Austen and Blake Conference Rooms at the University of Hull can be combined to create a larger space that accommodates up to 150 people. The Arts Café and Bar is a lively networking space, also functioning as a small exhibition space or added to bookings for Middleton Hall’s 406-seater theatre.

Networking lunch: The Ambiente Tapas Bar is a former warehouse within Hull’s Fruit Market area. Good for large parties, working lunches and drinks. Can seat 76 covers plus a small bar area and VIP booths. Do try the beef & pork meatballs served in a chorizo, tomato and olive sauce. Go for a relaxing stroll afterwards along the Hull Marina.

Team building activity: Hotham’s Gin has a gin school in the Hepworth Arcade and runs chocolate and gin-making classes. The class begins by imbibing a gin and tonic on arrival before creating 24 gin truffles, infused with your choice of two flavoured gins. All ingredients and equipment are provided.

Gala dinner: One of the most spectacular and atmospheric venues is Hull Minster. Available for hire, candlelit events in the open space of the nave show off the splendour of the 700-year-old medieval building. There is underfloor heating and wireless-controlled/dimmable lighting system allowing for a theatrical element to be incorporated in to events.

Day two

Board meeting: The Bonus Arena is Hull’s £36m art, music, arts and conference venue. The arena can host 3,500 standing audiences or up to 2,500 seated. Expanding its remit of events, the arena hosted the recent Hull University graduation ceremony, complete with selfie wall.

High-end lunch: Whether you’re a football or rugby fan, experience the dramas on the pitch from the Ambassador Club. KCOM Stadium, home of Hull City Football Club and Hull FC Rugby League Club offers VIP four-course fine dining menu with pitch views and lounge entertainment.

Afternoon incentive:  Be inspired by Hull’s anti-slavery past in the Museum Quarter, which is the location of William Wilberforce’s birthplace. The MP for Hull became the parliamentary spokesperson for the Abolition campaign in Britain.  The Hands-on History Museum, in the old Grammar School where William Wilberforce studied, houses the story of Hull and its people.

View from the bureau

Ellie Walkington, Visit Hull

More and more businesses in Hull are getting on board with the MICE market, particularly less conventional venues such as the Hull Minster. There are incentive offerings such as a gin distillery and a chocolatier.

The University of Hull continues to be a hub of world-class research. The Maritime Museum is undergoing extensive renovation work and is set to open in 2022. There will be a new café allowing for more versatile events to be held at the museum.

Who to contact

• Liz Neal, Business Tourism Officer
• Hull & East Yorkshire Conferences - Visit Hull & East Yorkshire
• 01482 391535
• [email protected]