HullBID challenges city centre business to shine at its 2023 awards
CELEBRATION: HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito speaking during the 2022 ceremony
By Rick Lyon
City centre businesses are again being offered the chance to shine as the countdown to the HullBID Awards 2023 begins.
The awards are open to all HullBID member businesses, who can enter free of charge and challenge for honours across 10 different categories. The general public are also encouraged to send in applications for their city centre favourites too.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, December 9, 2022 and the winners will be announced at a gala celebration dinner which will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Friday, January 27, 2023.
The HullBID Awards returned to the calendar earlier this year and city centre business colleagues seized the opportunity to showcase the excellence on offer in all sectors.
For 2023 there will be three new categories – Eco-friendly, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Commitment to Health and Wellbeing – and HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito is confident there will be another strong turnout after a year of great achievement.
Kathryn said: “The HullBID Awards have grown every year since we first held them in 2014 and we were thrilled this year to see over 330 people celebrating in spectacular fashion with the feelgood factor overflowing.
“The current year has been another one of huge challenges, but also of great success as businesses have demonstrated resilience and innovation. We’ve seen lots of changes and many new faces. That tells us there’s a mood of growing confidence and we hope that’s reflected by a clamour to enter the awards.”
The awards can be entered by all HullBID member businesses, their customers and the public. Applicants just need to set out which category they are entering, the name of the individual, business or organisation, and the reasons why they should win.
Multiple categories can be entered but a separate form must be completed for each category.
Applications can be submitted online at hullbidevents.co.uk/bidawards, or businesses can scan a hard copy entry and email it to catherine@hullbid.co.uk HullBID member businesses can also have their applications collected by ringing 01482 611800.
WINNERS: Celebrations after the 2022 HullBID Awards
Shortlisted entries will be revealed on Friday, December 16, 2022 and all finalists will receive four complimentary tickets to the Grand Awards Ceremony where they can enjoy a three course meal with wine. Extra tickets can be purchased at a discounted price of £40 plus VAT each by emailing francesca@hullbid.co.uk
The 10 award categories for the 2023 HullBID Awards, with sponsors in brackets are:
Eco-Friendly Award (AA Global Language Services)
Welcoming Premises Award (HEY Credit Union)
Outstanding Employee or Team Award (Hinks Insurance)
Innovative Marketing Award (St Stephen’s)
Customer Service Excellence Award (East Yorkshire)
Contribution to the Community Award (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside)
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award (Hull City Council)
Commitment to Health and Wellbeing Award (DoubleTree by Hilton)
The Best in Food and Drink Award (Prospect Centre)
Outstanding Contribution Award (The 55 Group)
There is also a Judges’ Special Recognition Award which will honour a business or organisation selected by the panel, irrespective of whether they have submitted an application form, for actions or works that have helped pull the business community together, improved the physical wellbeing, or enhanced the status of Hull city centre.