Hull BID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito revealed that a record number of applications has been received for the awards, and the finalists are now looking forward to sharing their success with family, friends and colleagues at the big celebration on Friday February 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
The judges have now drawn up their shortlists with three finalists in each of 10 categories – four of them earning two nominations. In addition there will be a Judges Special Recognition Award.
Kathryn says more than 420 applications came in from city centre businesses and other organisations and the shortlist features hopefuls from sectors including retail, hospitality, personal services, professional services, leisure, culture, and charities.
She said: “The feedback from all three judges once they’d finished their deliberations was that this year is all about quantity and quality – we received applications from a lot of businesses and other organisations and many of them really were outstanding.
“That’s so important because the awards are about much more than a badge of honour for each of the winners – the fact that so many people entered with such impressive submissions sends out a clear message about the quality on offer in our city centre, and that’s something for us all to shout about when we get together for the big night.”
