A RALLYING cry has been issued by the leaders of Hull's bid to become the UK's City Of Culture 2017 – we've come this far, now let's go and win it.
Following jubilant scenes when it was announced Hull had made it onto a shortlist of four, there is now fevered expectation the city can again overcome the odds and take the prestigious title.
The announcement by The Department for Culture, Media and Sport yesterday revealed Hull has made the cut while many of the bookies' favourites, such as Chester and Portsmouth, have dramatically failed to make the grade.
Should Hull take the title it will mean an influx of £11m of funding to the city, creating 25 festivals, 12 artists' residencies and 1,500 individual cultural events happening in 2017.
Hull will now face-off against Leicester, Swansea and Dundee in the next stage of the competition.
Bid advisor Andrew Dixon, who has steered Hull's campaign to make the shortlist, believes the sky is now the limit.
"I'm absolutely elated," he said.
"Looking at the shortlist, I think the judges have recognised the cities where being City Of Culture will make a real difference and they have absolutely backed the vision of Hull as a city that will put together a credible and truly unique bid."
Mr Dixon, who was returning from Rotterdam – where he was already organising cultural exchange events as part of Hull's 2017 bid – when he heard the announcement, said: "There were so many strong cities all vying to get on there that this is a huge achievement in itself.
"Now it's all about engaging the city's artists, musicians, our national and international partners to help us put together an absolutely fantastic full bid.
"There's no doubt in my mind that we can now go and win it."
Jon Pywell, Hull City Council's assistant head of economic development and regeneration, said: "I am absolutely delighted. This is a great day for Hull.
"I think we are now in the right place at the right time. You can feel things are happening here. Hull's on the up.
"We have to remember we haven't got anything in the bag yet. This is where the hard work begins – and there are still three other really good cities in the running – but you can feel a confidence about Hull now.
"I was involved in the first bid for 2013 that failed and you can see that since then there has been real, significant change in terms of what Hull has to offer, both culturally and in infrastructure.
"I passionately believe in regeneration through culture and this is a big step. I honestly believe we can go on and win."
Detailed bids by all four contender cities will now be submitted by September, with the winning host city unveiled in November.
Hull had previously bid for the 2013 title, but lost out to Derry in Northern Ireland, which is now halfway though its City Of Culture reign.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of The Culture Company 2013, which is driving Derry's programmes, said the title had helped transform her city – both economically and by rekindling a sense of civic pride.
She said: "It has undoubtedly had massive economic benefits for us. "We're expecting to double the number of visitors to the city this year. There was a 98 per cent occupancy rates in the local hotels in May and June and we're expecting a £5 return for every £1 spent.
"We are literally seeing the city transform before our eyes."
• Ian Midgley: Hull knows this is where the hard work really starts
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