Businesses invest in Hull’s bid to be culture capital

BUSINESSES in Hull have put their money where their mouth is by committing themselves to its bid to become UK City of Culture.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Nov 2013, 00:01 BST

A total of 20 companies have agreed to pay a combined £340,000 towards funding the programme of events, should the city be successful in its bid for 2017.

The deal means Hull has now achieved its private sector sponsorship target, and has half of the funding required for the £15m programme of events in place.

The private sponsorship would be spread over four years, beginning in 2014.

The team behind Hull’s bid will make their final presentation to judges in Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, next Thursday, with the winner expected to be announced on November 20.

The city is competing against Dundee, Swansea Bay, and Leicester for the civic title.

Hull’s programme would include 15 national and international commissions, 12 artists’ residencies, 25 festivals, and 1,500 special events.