HullBID building for the future after roaring success of ballot and Dino Day

HullBID racked up its second roaring success in a week as thousands of people descended on the city centre for the annual Dino Day just days after details were released of a resounding ballot win.

Dino Day again attracted huge crowds into the centre, boosting business for retail and hospitality outlets and BID organisers promises there will be more to come after securing an emphatic win in the ballot – the fourth since HullBID was approved as the first in Yorkshire 20 years ago.

The BID board, which is led by representatives of city centre businesses revealed that the ballot, which ended on Thursday 30 July, produced a turnout of 45.44% with BID securing 94.18% of votes cast.

Francesca Wagstaff-Sharp, the BID’s Business Liaison Officer, told members: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for placing your trust in me and the rest of the team. We were bowled over when we heard the result, which we see as the most rewarding recognition of our work since HullBID started 20 years ago.

“As we promised during our campaign we are now working on ideas to boost the BID team and our board and to improve and enhance everything we do. The incredible Dino Day is just the start!”

Jim Harris, Chair of HullBID and General Manager of st Stephen’s Shopping Centre, said the yes vote was the highest yet and demonstrated the value of the organisation’s work for the city centre business community.

He said: “Our campaign focused on HullBID’s vital role supporting our partners in promoting and enhancing the incredible transformation which is taking place in our city centre.

“We’ve seen the investment of hundreds of millions of pounds in tourism and heritage with the Hull Maritime project, next level business space with C4DI and Monocle, and the completion of Castle Street, which opens up so many of our fantastic historic attractions and open spaces.

“HullBID’s commitment is to work with our partners at Hull City Council and Humberside Police to improve safety and security and keep the streets clean, thereby providing the ideal environment for a vibrant programme of events which drive footfall and help businesses.

“I’m grateful to those partners for their ongoing support, to the HullBID team for their passion and commitment, and to the businesses themselves for giving us a massive vote of confidence.”

Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am extremely pleased to see HullBID has received such an overwhelming level of support in the latest ballot. This is testament to the support given to local businesses by the organisation and the vital role it plays for them in the city centre. 

“This backing gives HullBID the mandate to make the changes it needs to make to help take the organisation into its next phase, allowing it to carry out the work in an even stronger manner in the future. The partnership between the City Council and HullBID is a strong one and with this renewed backing from the businesses in the city centre will see it go from strength to strength, meaning even more benefits for all.”