Hull’s most famous faces and creatures are part of a new trail in the city centre this Christmas.
The joint initiative from HullBID and Visit Hull is animating vacant retail units in the run-up to Christmas, with five windows decorated already and seven more to be transformed early in 2022.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “These installations will animate the city centre at the most important time of the year for businesses. The retail sector has not had the easiest of time of late, but we will always do all we can to support the sector and our high streets.
“Despite national struggles, the future of Hull’s city centre continues to be positive with various ongoing investment and regeneration – most notably recently with the opening of the fantastic Hammonds of Hull. With huge investment also set to regenerate Whitefriargate and Albion Square, it is truly an exciting time for Hull.”
Drunk Animal, based in Hull, created the designs which feature a winter scene in Carr Lane, King Billy, The Deep and the Maritime Museum in King Edward Street and a further three designs in Whitefriargate – George and the dragon, a whale and towering skyscrapers.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID executive director, said: “Empty units are a fact of life in towns and cities centres nationwide and we wanted to brighten them up in our city centre with designs that people would want to see and photograph.
“Together with Visit Hull we’ve commissioned a Hull-based creative agency and they’ve come up with the ideas, the designs and the final installations. The feedback already has been very positive with people welcoming the vibrant colours and the Hullness!
“The designs are eye-catching from the outset and there is also some clever detail in there which will hopefully encourage people to take a closer look and set out to explore the others. We’re looking forward to seeing the new ideas next year and we’re confident they will attract more people, building footfall for city centre businesses.”
