‘The real Hull’: Thousands visit city centre for Dino Day fun
BACK IN BUSINESS: Crowds support the eclectic offer from city centre businesses on Dino Day
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Thousands of people visited Hull city centre to enjoy a family fun day which banished fears triggered by riots the week before.
Businesses affected by damage and stock loss had worked around the clock to open on schedule to welcome visitors attending the ever-popular Dino Day, organised by HullBID.
Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy, who spoke to visitors and members of the public, said their message was loud and clear.
She said: “A number of people in the crowd stopped me as I was walking round and all said the same – that events like this are the real Hull, and the families having so much fun in the city centre are the real people of Hull.”
‘HEARTENED BY THE RESPONSE’: Emma Hardy MP
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID executive director, said: “The destruction left by the rioters the previous Saturday night was transformed back into the bright, welcoming city centre we’ve always had, which provides the perfect stage for our events, generating much-needed revenue for our businesses.
“This week we’ve got the return of Hull Street Food Nights, and we’re expecting another big crowd as people show their determination to return to the city centre in and defiance of the criminals.”
Dino Day took place in King Eward Street and Queen Victoria Square, the scene six days before of a far-right rally which ended in a riot, leaving a trail of injuries and damage.
But Hull City Council cleaned up the public realm during the Saturday night and Humberside Police began bringing the offenders to justice swiftly, a process which continues with the daily publication of details of arrests and sentences handed down by the courts.
Ms Shillito said the fact that Dino Day was able to go ahead for a third year highlighted the tireless efforts of businesses, public bodies, and the wider community involved in a clear-up operation that enabled affected businesses to resume trading and rebuild fragile confidence.
About 20 businesses took part in Dino Day directly and many more shared in the benefits as the public again turned out in force, enjoying a free entertainment programme which included dinosaur shows and face-painting and supporting shops and food and drink outlets.
The participation of Lush cosmetics was in doubt until the day before, but staff from the firm’s other stores came to Hull to help clean up, and the doors opened on time to welcome children who had booked in advance to make dinosaur bath bombs.
ROARING SUCCESS: Families meet one of the stars of the day
Ms Shillito said: “The businesses did a fantastic job to make sure people coming into the city centre could still enjoy a great day out. Grateful thanks must be shared with those who joined in the clean-up swiftly, including the city council’s streetscene team, volunteers from local businesses and the community and HullBID’s own cleaning and maintenance operative.
“HullBID commends the efforts of the police and we are supporting them with an appeal to businesses and individuals for any information and images which will enable them to identify and bring to justice the people responsible for the violence.
“There have been a number of arrests and there will be more. We are urging anyone who has any information, videos and photos of the offenders to send their content to https://mipp.police.uk.
“The priority is for us all to work together to show our colleagues, customers and visitors that our city centre is a safe place, and support the efforts of the police and the city council to keep it that way.
WORKED HARD TO GET READY: Lush store manager Ben Garner, right, with HullBID business liaison officer Francesca Sharp
“On the day of the riot we had Humber Street Sesh, which was a trouble-free, multicultural celebration of live music. Hull Pride took place the week before and was the same. We are now looking forward to the remaining two Hull Street Food Nights of the summer and we are already planning public events for Christmas and into next year.”
Ms Hardy added: “After the despair of the previous weekend we had already been heartened by the response of the genuine, caring local community as they joined the city council and Humberside Police in cleaning up and identifying the people responsible.
“Dino Day showed the progress everybody has made. It’s a fantastic event which once again attracted thousands of people into the city centre. The businesses did a brilliant job of bouncing back and playing their part in putting on a great show, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves. I’m grateful to everybody who worked so hard to enable that to happen.”
Hull Street Food Nights will take place in Zebedee’s Yard from 4pm until 9pm on Thursday, August 15 and Thursday, September 19. Local and regional businesses will be serving an international array of food and drink and there will be free family entertainment including live bands The Charm Offensive this week and The Beautiful Couch next month.