Penguins and passengers shared the spotlight as city centre businesses came together for the latest HullBID networking event.

Colin Brown, Chief Executive of The Deep, told how the arrival of ten Gentoo penguins from Grytviken in South Georgia will provide a milestone addition to the attractions at the UK’s most successful millennium project.

David Hatfield, Manager of Hull Paragon Station and transport interchange, outlined the ongoing improvements which will enhance the welcome to Hull for visitors and local travellers alike.

The pair took the platform at The Deep after Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, introduced a travel and tourism theme for the event by updating on progress towards the City of Culture and what it means for city centre businesses.

“City of Culture is a hot topic and HullBID was part of the steering group,” said Kathryn.

“Our emphasis is all about supporting city centre businesses and making sure they benefit from the City of Culture programme.”

Kathryn added that HullBID will continue to build towards the City of Culture year of 2017 with its own big events this year – Fashion Week from Sunday 27 April until Saturday 3 May, Yum! Festival of Food, Drink and Music from Thursday 31 July until Saturday 2 August and Hull Trinity Festival on dates to be fixed.

An addition to the calendar this year is the HullBID awards, which are being organised in partnership with the Hull Daily Mail and are open for nominations now. The presentation evening will take place at Hull Truck Theatre on Thursday 8 May.

“These activities and others taking place in the build-up to City of Culture and beyond will present opportunities for local people and local businesses,” said Kathryn.

“We will have a cultural theme for our next BID business networking event which will again be free for our members to attend and which we expect will again be over-subscribed. It will take place at Hull New Theatre on Wednesday 2 April and part of the event incorporates a complimentary performance of Cinderella by Northern Ballet.”

Colin Brown said the penguins are due to arrive at The Deep in March and the project continues a policy of regular improvements to the exhibits.

He said: “We are still the most profitable millennium project in the country and we felt that we should invest some of our money in the future. We looked at penguins five years ago but our policy is that if we do something we have to do it better than anyone has before or differently.”

He added that the display will feature an ice machine, snow machine and a specialist lighting system and is being constructed by local businesses as far as possible.

David Hatfield said improvements last year at Paragon Station included increased staff coverage, improved lighting and refurbished toilets. Plans going forward include the introduction of a cycle hub where people can park and hire bikes, improvements to the waiting room on the platform and action to resolve problems for people queuing for buses.

He said: “We hosted the HullBID Fashion Week finale last year, which was a great success, and we followed up by hosting events at the Freedom Festival. It is a wonderful building and we were grateful for the opportunity to host such events.”

First TransPennine Express: www.tpexpress.co.uk/

The Deep: www.thedeep.co.uk/

Pictured: A penguin with David Hatfield of First TransPennine Express, HullBID City Centre Manager Kathryn Shillito, and Chief Executive of The Deep Colin Brown.