ECF sponsors Freedom Festival Hull

Last week, Tower Car Park in Hull, part of the city’s underused waterside which will one day be home to our East Bank Urban Village neighbourhood, came alive with hundreds of local people who witnessed an electric performance of A.I. Thentic from Gorilla Circus as part of Hull’s annual Freedom Festival.

ECF sponsored the city-wide cultural festival (which ran from 3-6 September), which draws tens of thousands of visitors every year with its distinctive mix of music, theatre, visual art and socially engaged performances. As we work with Hull City Council to shape East Bank, we’re pleased to support a festival that brings people into this part of the city and celebrates Hull’s creativity and character.

People of all ages were enthralled by this large-scale contemporary show that merged circus, street dance and technology performed on a platform lift on top of a converted fire engine. Freedom Festival is one of the most innovative arts festivals in the north of England, known for striking installations, large-scale street theatre and thought-provoking performance, inviting audiences to gather, reflect and connect through creativity and shared humanity.

Raife Gale, senior development manager at ECF said:

“We’re pleased to support a celebration of art and culture that’s as accessible as possible for all, with many performances offering free or low-cost tickets all while opening up East Bank to host a spectacular performance.”

Over the next 15 years, East Bank will introduce up to 850 Build-To-Rent (BTR) homes alongside shops, restaurants and a revitalised riverside and new public spaces around historic landmarks, including the Drypool Basin.

A planning application was submitted for East Bank Urban Village – one of Hull’s largest ever regeneration projects – in April and a decision is due later this year.