Council announces £1m support for City of Culture 2017

The council said it is giving the Hull 2017 company a £1m package of funding and support to help stage the UK City of Culture celebrations, and it will include opportunities for local residents and cultural venues to play their part during 2017.

Council chiefs anticipate that the year will prove a huge magnet for tourism - with £1m extra visitors, delivering a £60m boost for the local economy.

Council leader Coun Steve Parnaby said: “East Riding Council is delighted to be supporting Hull, UK City of Culture 2017 as a principal partner and believes that the investment made by this authority will provide numerous benefits for East Riding residents and local communities in being able to fully engage with the celebrations planned for the year.

“Hull, UK City of Culture 2017 will provide a national and global platform to showcase the cultural offer of our areas as well as the opportunity to promote the city and wider East Riding as a must-see tourist destination, a sector vital to both economies and one which both councils are keen to grow.”

Martin Green, chief executive of the Hull 2017 company, said: “With 500 days to go until the start of 2017, I’m delighted to welcome East Riding of Yorkshire Council on board as a principal partner.

“UK City of Culture will have a positive impact on the whole region and, as Hull’s closest neighbours, East Riding Council and its residents have a key role to play.”