However you are spending Christmas, and whoever you are spending it with, I hope you find time to relax and enjoy this special period – as well as warmly remember what hopefully has been a positive year for you and your loved ones.
2025 has been a fantastic year for Hull for so many reasons – and I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead in 2026.
2026 is the year that the huge Maritime Project will be revealed for the public to see. So much hard-work and effort has been put into it – and I can’t wait for the residents of Hull to see this hugely significant project come to fruition.
Whether it is the restoration of the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship, or the reopening of the Maritime Museum and Queen’s Gardens, Hull will, undeniably, be Yorkshire’s Maritime City.
This investment will not only safeguard and celebrate Hull’s proud maritime heritage, but also create a world-class attraction that will deliver significant benefits by attracting visitors, boosting business, and transforming some of our most-loved public buildings and spaces.
Most importantly, the project will share the remarkable story of Hull and its people in new and exciting ways – inspiring future generations.
Alongside the Maritime Project there will also, of course, be plenty of events and experiences to get stuck into at so many venues, such as Ferens Art Gallery, Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall – as well as events and festivals such as ‘Our City’ which will kick off the festival season in March alongside Colliderfest and Cultural Tides, followed by Pride in Hull and Freedom Festival in the summer.
We will also see more work taking place next year at Albion Square. This will include supportive steelworks being put in place around the iconic Three Ships Mural, to protect it during the demolition of the building.
I am excited about what the future holds for our city. One of the privileges of my job is that I get to meet so many people across the city who are doing great work within it and it is a constant reminder of the passion and drive that this city lives and breathes.
From my family to yours, I wish you a merry Christmas, and an exciting 2026.