Hull BID to help struggling Whitefriargate with Christmas events programme

28/10/2011

Hull Bid, which was set up to promote the city centre, will try to boost trade in Whitefriargate by focusing its Christmas programme in the Old Town.

Hull Bid has also backed plans to put a roof over the street in an attempt to revitalise the area and give it a new identity.

The Mail has revealed mounting concern over the long-term future of the shopping street as the number of empty units in the city centre grows.

Bid manager Kathryn Shillito pledged to build on the success of events like Hull Fashion Week, which drew hundreds of people into the area recently.

She said: "We will soon be announcing details of the Hull Bid Christmas programme and we can confirm there will be a strong focus on the Old Town."

Proposals for a roof over Whitefriargate were first suggested about ten years ago, but were resurrected by Hull City Council leader Steve Brady earlier this week.

Ms Shillito said events were being planned around the Old Town in the run-up to Christmas to boost trade.

She said: "We will be holding a number of events in Holy Trinity Church because it is a wonderful venue of huge importance to the city and because our previous events have demonstrated the pulling power of the church.

"We held elements of the Fashion Week and the Trinity Music Festival in the church and all involved told us the activities really helped to increase footfall.

"But we are conscious that we need to build on the success of those events to help bring long-term increases in business and that is what we plan to do."

She said Hull Bid welcomed the idea of a roof over Whitefriargate.

"We recognise something like that is not going to happen overnight and it is vital for businesses and the city council to work together to improve the appeal of the area," she said.

"Our role is to help to make that happen."

Simon Grainger, associate director for retail and leisure for property firm Garness Jones, said the street needed to consider carving out a new identity and suggested it might benefit from developing a café culture.

He said: "For many years, Whitefriargate was the prime shopping street in the city and it needs to re-establish itself again.

"A roof would certainly help Whitefriargate to create an identity for the area, as will events that attract people to the area.

"It may also be time to look at alternative uses for some of the properties.

"Café bars and restaurants on a small scale, with tables and chairs outside, work well in similar environments in other cities."