City centre celebration in store at HullBID Awards

Malcolm Scott with his Lifetime Contribution Award.

A WOMAN who literally went the extra few miles to look after her customers captured the spirit of the HullBID Awards as one of last year’s winners.

Also honoured was a man who helped to pave the way for the formation of HullBID and who has helped to revive the city centre with some transformational regeneration projects.

Both Lynn Ripley and Malcolm Scott are urging other businesses to celebrate the quality, variety and vibrancy of a city centre which has so many winners.

The Awards will take place on Friday 21 April, with a full house expected for a presentation dinner at the Royal Hotel Hull.

Lynn Ripley of Siesta International Holidays in Paragon Street, Hull, won the customer service award for getting up early one morning and driving to meet the coach to send a mobile phone containing important contact and medical information to a holiday client in Spain.

She said: “I had no idea they had put me forward for an award until I received a phone call from HullBID. I was really shocked when I won, but in a good way, and the awards night was absolutely fabulous.”

Malcolm Scott was one of the first people to chair the Hull City Centre Task Force company, which led to the creation of HullBID in 2006. His projects since then have included the creation of Fruit Trade music recording studio in Humber Street and the development of 94 Alfred Gelder Street as a venue for cultural and mainstream businesses.

After winning the Lifetime Contribution Award he said: “The Awards are great. We can’t always celebrate success but we can celebrate effort. The harder you work the luckier you get and there are some tremendously hard-working people doing great things in the city centre.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “The HullBID Awards are in their fourth year and have become recognised as a great competition and a superb night out, all of which brings businesses together.

“Once again we’ve had fantastic support from the sponsors and the independent panel of judges but on the night it’s all about the businesses and this year we’ve had a record number of entries from a great variety of sectors.”

Joining Kathryn on the judging panel Revd. Matt Woodcock of Holy Trinity Church, Charity Fundraiser Pauline Speed and Jane Smallwood of the Hull Daily Mail.

HullBID Awards shortlist

Safe City Award, sponsored by Radphone Ltd: Civic, Hull City Council; St Stephen’s security team; Wilberforce Pharmacy.

Dressed to Impress Award sponsored by the Royal Hotel, Hull: Poorboy Boutique; Hares & Graces; Kaspa’s Desserts.

Outstanding Employee or Team Award sponsored by Prospect Shopping Centre: Tim Davis, Games Workshop; St Stephen’s security team; Yvonne Uscroft and the housekeeping team, Holiday Inn Express.

Service with a Smile Award, championed by the Hull Daily Mail: Hair @ Quayside; Oscars Bar; Timpson shoe repairs.

Community Spirit Award sponsored by Princes Quay: APCOA Parking UK; Jonathan Wright, Eurovia; Gosschalks.

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award sponsored by Bronx: Judy Newlove, Sugar ’n’ Spice; Sharon, Abigail and Brittany Taylor, Hares & Graces; Tapan Mahapatra and the team at Tapasya @ Marina.

Commitment to Training and Development Award, sponsored by Pride Hair and Beauty Academy: Grosvenor Casino; Pride Hair and Beauty Academy; Salon Apprentice.

Innovative Marketing Campaign Award, sponsored by 360 Chartered Accountants: Dr Martens; Princes Quay; Tapasya @ Marina.

Alive After Five Award, sponsored by St Stephen’s: McCoys; Superbowl UK Hull; The Sugar Mill.

Lifetime Contribution Award sponsored by Kingston Recruitment to be announced on the night.