Deep Business Centre welcomes MP and business leaders
11th October 2018
Leading figures from Hull’s business community were joined by Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy when the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce brought its Hull Area Council meeting to The Deep Business Centre.
The visit was the second such gathering by the Chamber at The Deep – the first having taken place in January 2015 when Area Council Chair Phil Ascough first decided to vary the venue for the meeting.
Members working in sectors ranging from law and finance to property and transport outlined the current state of trade for their businesses and the agenda also prompted discussion on matters including Hull’s rail links and plans for devolution in Yorkshire.
Emma attended as part of her Big Conversation project, under which she tours her constituency in an attempt to hear from as many people as possible. Venues have included the Bean and Nothingness café in Whitefriargate, Hull, the church in the Boulevard and the Wheatcroft Community Centre.
Freya Cross, Business and Corporate Manager at The Deep, told of the continuing success of The Deep aquarium as the region’s top tourist attraction and of its key role in driving conservation projects, including tackling plastics pollution and supporting research into new and rare species of marine life.
She added that the corporate side of the attraction continues to go from strength to strength, hosting major international conferences and celebrations and networking events by business organisations and individual companies.
Freya said: “We are working hard to continue to improve the environment for our business centre customers and their clients, investing to ensure it is a good place to work and a sociable atmosphere. Of the enquiries we receive from prospective clients, 90 per cent come from businesses which are new to the city. Of those who come here, many use it as a foothold to build a strong presence in the area, and we’re proud of that.”
Phil, the Chamber’s Immediate Past President, said: “I can’t believe it’s nearly four years since we first took the Area Council meeting on the road – and made our first visit to The Deep. On that occasion it was the Two Rivers Restaurant, this time we went to the Business Centre and gave members an opportunity to see the first-class facilities which house around 40 businesses and 200 people.
“We’re very grateful to Freya for hosting and we’re delighted to have been able to contribute to Emma’s Big Conversation. We’ll now have a think about where to go for the next Area Council meeting in February.”