Lush bites back: Store damaged in riots to take part in Dino Day
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
A business that was attacked in far-right riots in Hull is determined to be part of a day of family fun and entertainment on Friday when Dino Day returns to the city centre.
Lush in King Edward Street was one of a number of businesses looted and damaged by rampaging thugs in disgraceful scenes of violence on Saturday.
But today staff confirmed they are pressing ahead with plans to be part of the event after cleaning up the mess.
Store supervisor Sam Gibson told The Hull Story: “We are still planning to be part of it and it’s all going ahead. We’ll be ready, which is lovely because it’s going to be a super day and super exciting.
“I feel like for us, more than anything, the way the community has responded has been incredible.”
PLEASED TO MEET YOU: Children enjoying Dino Day last year
The shop is hoping to reopen for business at 9am on Wednesday, and Sam said they were “excited to welcome people back into the store”.
Manager Ben Garne and his team have managed to get their hands on some exclusive bath bomb kits which aren’t normally available to sell in stores – and sessions they are providing to make dinosaur bath bombs have already sold out.
Speaking ahead of the riots, Ben said: “During the day we’ll host five sessions for nine people at a time to come in, make their special Dino Day bath bombs and take them home to use. It’s just £3.50 per person and it’s for people of all ages, although children might need an adult to help them.
“We have a few events where customers get the chance to make their own products and people are always asking about them, so we expect to be busy. The HullBID events generally attract a big crowd as well. For Superhero Day we calculated there was a big increase in business and Dino Day is usually even better.”
Elsewhere, a family-run food store is giving crowds the chance to bite back, and families can also look forward to a dockside Dino Disco, a dinosaur egg hunt and a delve into the world of dinosaurs with the team from Hull’s own Dinostar Museum.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID executive director, said: “Dino Day has quickly become established as one of our biggest and most successful events of the year and this year promises to be better than ever.
“City centre traders have reported booming business from our two previous Dino Days and the result of that is we have even more taking part this year. In particular food and drink outlets know they’re in for a busy day and they’re stocking up well in advance!”
Thousands of parents and children are expected to descend on the city centre on August 9 to see King Edward Street transformed from 10am until 4pm into a huge dinosaur pen. There will be 12 individual shows, each lasting half an hour, with the park rangers unleashing the roar-some combination of a T Rex, Velociraptor, Spinosaurus and Dilophosaurus.
TASTY TREATS: Emily Taylor (right), owner of Johnston’s butchers, and baker Kerry Fennell with Dino Day hats and bunting at the store in Carr Lane
Dinostar will be present with one of an array of dino-themed stalls and activities in the immediate area will include free face painting and a kiddie colouring competition to keep them entertained.
Prospect Shopping Centre will join in the fun with a trail of dino eggs hidden across the various retail stores. There will also be a chance to meet their interactive Dino Baby for a special reward or have your photo taken with Dino Bob, the friendly dinosaur mascot who will be roaming the shopping centre. The centre is also offering cut-price parking for £1 all day.
Stage @TheDock, only yards away from the Dinostar Museum in the Fruit Market, will be the venue for families to strut their Spinosaurus stuff at two Dino Discos taking place from 11am until 1pm and from 2pm until 4pm.
Brew Dog is offering a deal for diners to get their teeth into with kids able to eat free all day with every paying adult.
SCARY: Dinosaurs get close to the crowds in Queen Victoria Square in 2023
Emily Taylor, owner of Johnston’s butchers and deli in Carr Lane, Hull, said her team will be serving up a Dino Day package of tasty treats and fun fancy dress.
Emily said: “We’ll be making some Dino Day fairy buns so customers can take a big bite out of a dinosaur and we’re also planning to decorate the shop with dinosaur bunting and a dinosaur cake stand.
“We’ll be dressing up as well. Our overalls are green anyway so that helps and we’ll be wearing our dinosaur hats for the day.”
To find out more about Dino Day visit https://www.hullbid.co.uk/
Dino Day events timetable
9.55am – Welcome to Jurassic Earth
10.00am – Meet our Baby Dinosaurs
10.30am – Zeus T-Rex Show
11am – Spinosaurus Show
11.30am – Raptor Paddock Show
Midday – Dilophosaurus and Baby Dinosaur Show
12.30pm – Zeus T-Rex Show
1pm – Spinosaurus Show
1.30pm – Raptor Paddock Show
2pm – Zeus T-Rex Show
2.30pm – Spinosaurus Show
3pm – Raptor Paddock Show
3.30pm – Dilophosaurus and Baby Dinosaur Show