CITY OF CULTURE INSPIRED TRANSFORMATION

Written by: Sue - 31^st March 2017

My first visit to Hull in East Yorkshire will be forever etched in my memory. It was winter and dark by late afternoon. I was under pressure and had to run for a train in a pounding by relentless rain. Hull is well underway with plans to shake up such impressions and preconceptions as City Of Culture 2017. Some of our hotel partners are key players in this act of transformation.

​​So, what do you know about Hull? You are probably aware of its history as a major port and that it once had a strong fishing industry. You will know it is home to a famous landmark - the dramatic Humber Bridge. This year Hull is throwing open its doors and inviting the world in to reveal there is more to its story than visitors might expect.

Every four years the City Of Culture Award is presented to a community that demonstrates the belief in the transformational power of culture. Hull's mission is to curate an inspiring year-long celebration of traditional and contemporary culture in the city with a diverse programme of events. The year is split into four seasons, each with something fresh to say about Hull and its place in the wider world.

Season One: Made In Hull

​Drawing on the city's theatre, music and poetry as well as its industry, up until the end of March Hull has been challenging perceptions and re-introducing everybody to the people and ideas that have flowed out from the area to change and benefit the world beyond.

Season Two: Roots and Routes

​From April to June, the programme will have a distinctive international flavour and present Hull as a gateway to Europe, a city connected to a globalised, digital world.

Season Three: Freedom

​Did you know that Hull played a pivotal role in the slave emancipation movement? From July to September - the summer season - the programme is inspired by the city's free-thinking spirit in all spheres, including social justice, debate and creativity.

Season Four: Tell The World

​From October to December, as the year draws to a close, the celebration will look to the future at how Hull is redefining itself as a key northern city and a destination 'on the up'.

City Inspired Hotel Investment

Some of our partner hotel meeting, conference and events venues are caught up in the buzz of excitement. Mercure Hull Grange Park has particularly taken up the mantle and is contributing to the 'Destination Hull' transformation with a city-inspired refurbishment. Everything about the refurbishment has been inspired by Hull and East Yorkshire, with the interior design team weaving both city and countryside motifs into the concept.

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Mercure's investment project - worth more than £1 million - is nearing completion and the Hull team is anticipating the big reveal in April. On completion of the first phase, Hull Grange Park re-launched as 'The Home of the International Suite' and cemented its position as the main events hotel in the area. The International Suite offers the perfect space for conference and business functions, covering more than 550 square metres and hosting up to 550 delegates. With seven event rooms and ten meeting rooms, this venue can well-accommodate both small, exclusive gatherings and major-scale events. The team here will meet a brief with a flexible and tailored service so that spaces best suit each purpose.

The second phase of the investment has focused on the complete refurbishment of 100 bedrooms in keeping with the International Suite theme. As reflected in the colourways of the image above, the local area has directly influenced the design and feel of the bedrooms, with bespoke artwork commissioned to truly capture the surroundings.

Interior designer Helen Hooper of HH Interiors said: "The new interior fuses contemporary fabrics and colours of taupe, blues and greys with accents of gold. We've used a soft neutral palate, which was influenced by the hotel's countryside surroundings. We wanted to deliver locally inspired touches throughout, which lie at the heart of the design concept. We created bespoke silk curtains for the International Suite, as well as original artwork and an antique mirrored back bar. The bedrooms will feature personalized headboards as well as an image of the Humber Bridge in all bathrooms. The carpet pattern is designed to depict birds, branches and leaves which provides a distinctive rural and peaceful feel."

Commenting on the transformation, General Manager Peter Nye said: "2017 is an exciting year for the city and we have been celebrating its character in our refurbishment. The investment in the hotel demonstrates our continued commitment to offering guests to the city the finest experience and, in the International Suite, provide a venue equipped to meet the new demands the City Of Culture accolade should bring with it."

Whether visiting Hull for a meeting, conference, celebration, as a reward or incentive, guests really do have an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy art, music, theatre and other cultural offerings this year. The city is also home to the Ferens Gallery, a Maritime Museum and the award-winning Deep aquarium which could be slotted into a residential event, or delegates could explore the historic old town or a day at Beverley Races held nearby.

We are looking forward, along with our partner Mercure, to unveiling soon new images of the International Suite in the stylish colourway illustrated above. Keep eyes peeled on our social media pages.

One of the City Of Culture 2017 rallying cries is 'Everyone back to ours!' The Hull Grange Park team will be saying this with renewed pride, I think, confident the investment will elevate the experience for UK guests and global visitors in this exciting year and in years to come.

(Hull city centre and The Deep images by Hull City Council)