20 Jan Mercury helps increase footfall in Hull by 60,000

HullBID Fashion Week, organised and marketed by Mercury, has been hailed as the best yet by organisers and retailers.

A finale held at Hull Paragon Station created a real buzz for thousands of trend-setters alike and topped off a week-long celebration of style throughout the city centre, which featured more than 30 different events.

Footfall figures revealed an increase of almost 60,000 people visiting the city centre between April 29 and May 4th, with many businesses reporting an upsurge in interest.

“Having held the finale very successfully in Holy Trinity Church for the last two years we wanted to try something different and we were rewarded with a remarkable event,” said Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager.

“Paragon Interchange was a fantastic setting for the finale, pulling in the crowds and springing a surprise on a few people who had no idea the event was on and who had just turned up to catch a train or a bus!

“There was great variety among the other events held during Fashion Week and they were also very well attended. Footfall in the city centre throughout the week was higher than in the previous week and helped ensure that the figures for April were up on the same period last year, with significant increases in King Edward Street, Prospect Street and Brook Street.”

Mercury was commissioned to organise and promote the week for the first time in 2013 and the team was proud of the final campaign.

Kelly Taylor, Mercury’s Director and Event Manager for HullBID Fashion Week, said: “The week was a massive success, we thoroughly enjoyed working on it. Lots of preparations went into planning a week that was bursting at the seams with activity and we were delighted to secure Hull Paragon Station as the venue for the finale. There was a real buzz about the place on the day and it was truly unique.”