Hull Minster’s ‘Outstanding Contribution’ to the City has been recognised by Hull’s business community at a glittering awards ceremony at the Bonus Arena.

300 guests attended the HullBid - Business Improvement District Awards - on Friday 21 February where many milestones and achievements were recognised at a black-tie dinner.

From small beginnings, the HullBID awards has rapidly grown in seven years to one of the most anticipated events on Hull’s business calendar.

Catherine Goble, Marketing & Events Co-ordinator at HullBID, said: “Every year we get more and more entries, with some very worthy winners. It was a very difficult decision for the independent judging panel to choose the shortlist, which shows what brilliant businesses and people we have in the city centre.

Eleven prestigious prizes were handed out in a range of categories from Safe City and Innovative Marketing, to Dressed to Impress and Contribution to the Community.

The shortlist for the awards was selected by an independent panel including John Netherwood, of The Civic Society, The Chamber Acorn Fund’s Craig Simpson and the Hull Daily Mail’s Barnabas Stephenson.

The judges picked Hull Minster as their Outstanding Contribution winner, recognising the building’s multi-faceted function. An iconic landmark in Hull’s city centre, Hull Minster played host to 250 events in 2019 – not least the HullBID Awards ceremony.

From musicals, theatrical performances, artistic events such as the display of Sistine Chapel artwork through to health awareness days and education workshops, Hull Minster acts as a hub for a range of activities in the area, provides a sacred space of worship, a social and cultural hub and continues to be a force for good.

The Minster’s Interim Minister, Bishop Frank White, said, “We’re extremely grateful to the business community in Hull for this recognition of the part played in the City’s life by its Minster and everyone who supports it in a host of ways.

“Since 2014 the Minster’s Transformation project has attracted huge backing from many organisations around us, so this award for an Outstanding Contribution is theirs as much as ours.

“We are pledged to pray for our City, its businesses and all those who work in them, and to welcome all who come to the Minster as friends, visitors and pilgrims.”