10 awards are to be given out to the winners at the final – and last year’s event attracted 340 guests
Hull city centre businesses are being urged to get their entries in for a major awards event. The HullBID Awards are back, with organisers promising the 2026 event, set to take place in February, will be the biggest and best yet.
The annual event seeks to single out local businesses, rewarding them for their resilience, innovation and creativity, while also helping to make Hull city centre a vibrant place to live, work and visit. Businesses can enter categories for everything from their brilliant window displays and exciting food and drink on offer, to the innovative products they sell.
The awards are now in their 12th year, with each year welcoming more entries continue to grow bigger and better every year. Last year’s grand final welcomed more than 340 guests, and organisers have planned a 2026 event that’s not to be missed.
As the countdown starts, HullBID has launched the call for entries, with a full house of sponsors keen to recognise and reward city centre colleagues for another year of hard work and outstanding achievement. A dedicated area of the HullBID website is live now for businesses to submit entries and, although the closing date isn’t until Tuesday 20 January, 2026, the BID team are expecting a rush of interest.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID executive director, said: “From humble beginnings in 2014 with a simple ceremony at Hull Truck Theatre, the HullBID Awards have grown in kudos and reputation. Numbers of entries and guests at the glittering celebration night have increased every year.
“In 2025 we welcomed more than 340 people to a spectacular gala dinner and, with strong interest already, we’re expecting an event bigger turnout for 2026.”
The awards night will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Friday, 27 February 2026. Awards will be presented in 10 categories and entries can be submitted online through the HullBID website.
BID members will also receive an email with a link to the entry form to all members. Paper copies are available on request. Businesses can challenge for as many categories as they wish providing a separate form is completed for each entry.
Those who attend the final in February can look forward to a three course meal with wine, followed by live music and dancing to The Contraband. There will also be an after-party at the Lexington Rooftop Bar.
An independent panel of judges will meet in January to review all the entries and draw up the awards shortlists. The finalists will then be notified on Tuesday 27 January.
All the shortlisted businesses will receive some complimentary tickets to the dinner, which is HullBID’s biggest networking event of the year. Additional tickets will be available for purchase and details will be posted on the HullBID website.
Kathryn added: “We’re already blown away by the response to the awards, with sponsors snapping up opportunities in record time. As a not for profit organisation, any financial support we receive is directly ploughed back into making the HullBID Awards one of the biggest and most exciting nights of the year in the regional business community, and we are grateful to all the businesses which have stepped up to shine a light on city centre businesses.”
HullBID Awards 2026 Categories
Innovation award – sponsored by AaGlobal Language Services. This award recognises an innovative business/organisation that has conceived, developed and delivered new products, services or processes to progress their business.
Best place to work award – sponsored by St Stephens. This trophy recognises a business/organisation committed to developing talent with career opportunities available to all.
Longevity award – sponsored by Hays Travel. An award to recognise a business/organisation over 10 years old that has adapted, survived and thrived to stay ahead of competitors.
Contribution to the community award – sponsored by the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCC). An award to recognise actions by a business/organisation that has significantly made a difference to an individual/community, going over and above the scope of their day to day operations.
The best in food and drink award – sponsored by Hull Trains. Recognition for an outstanding business/organisation that strives to deliver exciting and unique food and drink concepts.
Most stylish / welcoming premises award – sponsored by Hull City Council. The most creative shop window or stylish office space, welcoming waiting area, or any other aspect that makes your premises stand out for all the right reasons.
Customer service excellence award – sponsored by HSBC. This recognises a business/organisation that can demonstrate excellent customer service, going above and beyond the call of duty.
Commitment to health and wellbeing award – sponsored by Segal’s Jewellers. This Award is for those businesses/organisations who have implemented initiatives that support the wellbeing of their employees or their customers.
Outstanding employee or team – sponsored by East Yorkshire Buses. Awarded to a shining star or top-notch team, who are applauded by their peers and have shown superb focus, commitment and dedication to their role and to the business.
Outstanding contribution award – sponsored by KFM Recruitment. Recognition for an individual/business/organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the continued success of Hull city centre.
Full details of how to enter can be found on the HullBID website.
Get all the latest headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our newsletter. You can stay up to date with all the breaking news and top stories as they happen in Hull and East Yorkshire by clicking this link .