Cultural activities to celebrate Whitefriargate’s rich history

TREASURED: An artist’s impression of Whitefriargate’s regeneration

Historic Whitefriargate will be brought to life with a new programme of community-led cultural activities over the next three years.

Hull City Council has been awarded £100,000 in grant funding from Historic England as part of the Whitefriargate High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme.

Whitefriargate HSHAZ is one of more than 60 high streets to receive a share of £6m and the Hi!Whitefriargate programme will now explore the significance of the Old Town street.

New commissions, performances and exhibitions will reflect the rich heritage of Whitefriargate and celebrate the role it has played in the social and political history of the city, as well as its importance as a centre of commerce and social interaction.

It is part of the four-year-long HSHAZ cultural programme, led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The programme aims to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend leisure time.

In Hull, it will include a new festival celebrating the city’s silver trade and craftspeople.

Councillor Daren Hale, Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment and Regeneration at Hull City Council, said: “Whitefriargate is one of the most historic and treasured streets in our city, so it is fantastic to see all the investment and confidence being shown in the area.

“This cultural programme will help shine a light on Whitefriargate’s rich history, and invite people to reconnect with and explore one of Hull’s most impressive, historic and significant locations.”

‘FANTASTIC’: Councillor Daren Hale. Picture by Neil Holmes Photography

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive at Historic England, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about bringing high streets back from the brink.

“As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”

The funding builds on the success of a series of pilot cultural projects that have run since last August across 43 HSHAZs. In Hull, this included an exhibition on Whitefriargate that highlighted and celebrated the city’s black history as part of Black History Month.