Calendar chooses Chamber Expo for expert insight from businesses

The F&T Vending team with The Deep's Katy Duke at Chamber Expo 2017. Picture Alistair J Hooper Photography.

REGIONAL TV news programme Calendar sent a reporter to Chamber Expo to get the latest from the Hull and Humber business community about the benefits of City of Culture.

Reporter James Webster conducted interviews with Chamber Membership Manager Bruce Massie and with representatives of a number of businesses which are making the most of Hull’s year in the spotlight.

Maxine Robson, Managing Director of F & T Vending Co – an ever-present at Expo – told James about the branded paper cups which are promoting Hull and the City of Culture across the country.

She said: “We want people to believe in the city as much as we do and that’s why we did this, putting City of Culture in our vending machines and in coffee shops.”

Paul Vinsen, Chairman of Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitality Association, spoke about hotels in the region bursting at the seams with people booking rooms for big events.

He said: “During the Radio One Big Weekend there was not a room to be had in Hull at all and it also goes to the south bank because many people travel that little way to get to Hull.”

Paul White, Agency Director at Garness Jones chartered surveyors in Hull, was interviewed as a commercial property expert and told of the rising demand from businesses for prime space in the city centre.

He said: “With the announcement of City of Culture we have seen an inroad of investment from Yorkshire, the west and towards Manchester and also from the south looking for opportunities in Hull.

“It is for mixed use – residential, office and also food and beverage and retail and leisure. It is helping the day time and evening economies which is only going to benefit the city centre and bring the lasting legacy that the city deserves.”

Bruce used his slot in front of the TV camera to promote the benefits of Chamber membership and in particular of the Expo and the speed networking sessions.

He said: “It’s marketing. There are lots of ways of communicating these days but face-to-face is still the best and that’s what speed networking is about.”