Water firm urges other businesses to get on board to sponsor City of Culture

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey is in Hull this lunchtime to make the announcement.

The company has not said how much it is giving, although it says it is a “significant” sum.

The body responsible for delivering 365 days of events in 2017 has already raised 60 per cent of its £18m funding target with contributions from Arts Council England, Spirit of 2012, the British Council and the University of Hull, as well as Hull Council.

Last year Yorkshire Water was the major private sponsor of the Yorkshire Festival 2014 – a 100-day festival to celebrate the region hosting the Grand Depart, the first two stages of the Tour de France.

Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water Richard Flint said he hoped other businesses would get involved “to help the city realise its ambition to put on a show that the world that will never forget.”

Hull Council leader Coun Stephen Brady added: “I am delighted that the Hull 2017 company has signed up its first corporate partner. This is a major milestone, which demonstrates the confidence that people have in the city’s ability to deliver a truly outstanding year of culture in 2017. I am sure that other local, regional and national companies will follow Yorkshire Water’s example as we count down to 2017.”