HullBID reveals shortlist for annual awards

Businesses and other organisations from across Hull city centre are preparing to battle it out for the 2025 Hull Business Improvement District (HullBID) Awards.

HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito revealed that a record number of applications has been received for the awards, and the finalists are now looking forward to sharing their success with family, friends and colleagues at the big celebration on Friday February 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

The judges have now drawn up their shortlists with three finalists in each of 10 categories – and four of them earning two nominations. In addition there will be a Judges Special Recognition Award.

Kathryn announced that more than 420 applications came in from city centre businesses and other organisations and the shortlist features hopefuls from sectors including retail, hospitality, personal services, professional services, leisure, culture, and charities.

She added that the independent judging panel of Craig Simpson from the Chamber Acorn Fund, Rose James of HEY Children’s University and John Netherwood of Historic Hull again faced a tough challenge of their own in ploughing through all the entries.

Kathryn said: “The feedback from all three judges once they’d finished their deliberations was that this year is all about quantity and quality – we received applications from a lot of businesses and other organisations and many of them really were outstanding.

“That’s so important because the awards are about much more than a badge of honour for each of the winners – the fact that so many people entered with such impressive submissions sends out a clear message about the quality on offer in our city centre, and that’s something for us all to shout about when we get together for the big night.”

Acclaimed presenters Darren Lethem and Fiona Dwyer will host the gala celebration dinner with more than 330 guests and the sponsors will be invited onto the stage to present awards to the winners of 11 categories.

All finalists will receive four complimentary tickets to the ceremony where they can enjoy a three-course meal with wine. Tickets are also on general sale at £48 plus VAT and businesses are already snapping up places for colleagues, customers and other contacts. 

Kathryn said: “We’ve been running the awards since 2014 and we know the presentation night will be another fantastic occasion. We’re grateful to everybody who entered, to the judges for their hard work, to our headline sponsor KFM Recruitment Ltd, and to all our other sponsors who have stepped up help us showcase the best of business in the city centre.” 

To book tickets for the HullBID Awards 2025 gala celebration dinner please email francesca@hullbid.co.uk

The contenders:

 
Innovation Award sponsored by AaGlobal Language Services

Little Astronauts

Hull College

Hull Schools Library Service

Best Place to Work Award sponsored by St Stephen’s

DoubleTree by Hilton Hull

Toy Town

Hull Truck Theatre

Longevity Award sponsored by Allenby Commercial

FR Scott Ltd

Thieving Harry’s

Kingston Theatre Hotel

Contribution to the Community Award sponsored by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner

City of Hull Street Angels

Lush

The Good Things Market

Best in Food and Drink Award sponsored by Hull Trains

Patisserie House

Everything Toastie

Thieving Harry’s

Most Stylish/Welcoming Premises Award sponsored by Hull City Council

Cherry’s Bar

Lili & Mila

Nanouk

Customer Service Excellence Award sponsored by Fig Flex

Artisan Flowers

Reach Recruitment

DoubleTree by Hilton

Commitment to Health and Wellbeing Award sponsored by Segal’s Jewellers

CatZero

Hull Minster

Fit24

Outstanding Employee or Team Award sponsored by Grosvenor Casino

Civic 1

Tina Swann, C4Di

St Stephen’s Security

Outstanding Contribution Award sponsored by KFM Recruitment

Ferens Art Gallery

The Deep

Hull Truck Theatre