Open for business

It is with a renewed sense of optimism that I write this month's column.
This is because Hull, our home in which we are so proud, is truly open for business, making its presence felt on the international stage.
Here at the council, with the support of our public and private sector partners, we are striving for Hull to become a vibrant European city, rich in culture and confidence, where people are proud to live, work, play, visit and invest.
As I write this, thousands of us are preparing to visit the brand new St Stephen's development for the very first time, and we are already finding our feet in the new transport interchange.
And there's more new development to come!
The opening of the World Trade Centre Hull and Humber will have a significant and positive knock-on effect for our local economy for years to come.
The centre, at Humber Quays, will develop and promote international trade and investment both in and out of our city and region.
It will be connected to 302 other World Trade Centres in 85 countries that serve 750,000 internationally-trading businesses across the world.
Humber Quays, only the second of its kind to have opened in the UK, now provides a specialist centre for businesses to gain import and export advice, help with finding new markets, attracting foreign investors, document translation and a whole host of other business services.
It's right here on our doorstep and in time it will lead to the creation of new jobs.
Meanwhile, I was heartened to see thousands of people visiting Hull for the Maritime Festival, held last month.
The event was a huge success, filling our local hotels and attracting tourists and their spending power to our shops, restaurants, bars and pubs.
All around us there is the atmosphere of new beginnings, and this is particularly so for the thousands of 'fresher' university students who are settling into our city to begin their courses of study.
This month Hull in print welcomes the students with a special feature on pages 18 and 19, and we also focus on how the council is helping to improve the quality of life for all our local residents from older people to school pupils.

Cllr Carl Minns
Leader, Hull City Council