Hull: the facts and figures

Hull is situated on the east coast of England—about half-way between London and Edinburgh, and about 50 miles east of Leeds. For centuries, Hull has been the main sea-port on the east coast. The city has a long tradition of trading with the great Scandinavian, Baltic and European port-cities, and remains a major gateway to the EU.

This international trade is reflected in Hull’s industrial history: food processing (especially fish), timber, chemicals, paints and varnishes, plus maritime services and distribution, banking and insurance. Manufacturing has now diversified into aircraft, abrasives, can manufacture, petrochemicals, bottling, medical & surgical goods, drugs, and clothing, while the fishing industry has declined. However, service industries such as offshore support, distribution, banking, commodity-dealing, insurance and retail now employ many more people than manufacturing.

Hull is one of the UK’s most attractive urban centres, and £1.5bn has been invested in the city since 1986. It contains the area’s principal artistic and sporting attractions, and a lively university-led community. Although a busy city, it has a relaxed air, thanks in part to its spacious, largely vehicle-free central area and the dignified architecture of its public buildings.

Hull’s population

• The Kingston upon Hull Local Authority has a population of around 258,000, and is expected to attract an extra 8,500 people by 2014
• Over a quarter of the city's population are under 20 years old.

Business in Hull

• The Humber’s chemical cluster, which includes BP, is the second-largest in the UK
• The city’s outstanding business sites (along with the Humber energy corridor and with excellent access to global markets) are a magnet for investment from major companies
• An unrivalled waterfront development opportunity offers 300,000 sq metres of prime development land along 7 miles of former dockland waterfront
• Hull was the first UK city to launch a completely digital telephone network, enabling Hull to become a digital laboratory, piloting new technologies including interactive TV and broadband technology
• The city is home to the BBC’s newest regional headquarters, housed at a new £25m site.

Hull’s economy

• Businesses in Hull deliver an annual turnover of almost £8bn.

Transport in Hull

• Associated British Ports’ sustained redevelopment programme has made Hull one of the best-equipped freight & passenger centres in the UK, with additional capacity for growth
• The principal route into the city is the M62, stretching across Britain to Liverpool and intersecting with the north-south A1/M1 (London to Edinburgh) route
• The Humber industrial area is unified by a huge single-span suspension bridge, the Humber Bridge, connecting a market of 850,000 consumers
• Hull has a good network of dual-carriageways, relieving the city of rush-hour frustrations and making it easy to commute into Hull
• At least 2 trains depart for London every hour—and you can be there in 2 hours
• Humberside International Airport is about 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Hull, handling a considerable volume of helicopter, private charter and air-taxi traffic, especially for offshore personnel. There are four further airports within easy reach of Hull; Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Teesside and East Midlands.

Tourism and leisure in Hull

• Over 5 million annual visitors contribute almost £210m to Hull’s economy.

Education in Hull

• The Hull/York Medical School was ranked joint first among UK medical schools
• The University of Hull is ranked in the top 10 for chemistry, drama and electronic engineering
• Hull is the UK’s friendliest university, according to the University Friendship League Tables
• Hull College has been recognised as one of the top further education establishments in the country.

Find out more information about investing in Hull and Hull City Council.