Jobs in Hull | Pictures of Hull

Situated on the Humber estuary and just 25 miles from the North Sea coastline is Hull – or Kingston upon Hull to give it its official title. With a population of around 280,000 and the only place in the UK that had cream, not red, telephone boxes as its principal claim to fame, there is something peculiarly unique about Hull.

For years, Hull was trapped in a self-denial that the principal industries that once dictated its economy - namely seafaring and fishing – had long gone. And this denial created a paralysis which prevented the city from moving forward and emulating what other post-industrial cities were doing, namely diversifying as a service based economy. Indeed, it has been estimated that the city needs to create another 1,600 businesses and 15,000 quality jobs over the next decade to fulfil its economic potential.

However, after wallowing in self-pity for long enough, the city is now deep in the throes of a mass regeneration and renewal programme that is giving Hull a major facelift and, more importantly, a much-needed boost for developing a diversified economy no longer reliant on one single industry.

Then and now
The economy of Hull was built on seafaring and the fishing industry that dates back to 1299 when Edward I established the area around the Humber Estuary as a port which soon became England’s most important harbour – a position it retained for the next three centuries. Indeed, it was Edward who renamed the town King town upon Hull, eventually shortened to Kingston upon Hull. And throughout the period until recent times, fishing and seafaring had remained the mainstay of Hull’s economy.

However, the city’s economic transformation since the decline of these traditional industries has yet to be completed. And this has led to lower than average employment that has struggled to get to around 66 per cent – some 8 per cent below the national average.

Whereas most cities in the UK have acknowledged the decline of their traditional staple industries and restructured themselves as post-industrial service economies Hull, for its part, seems to have simply sat around for a number of years to watch everyone else is doing first before actually doing anything themselves. And this has had a detrimental effect on the local economy.

Indeed, a survey in 2003 found that 27 per cent of the city’s households had an income of under £10,000, making Hull one of the ten most deprived districts in England. But that was more than five years and in the words of Mr Dylan, the times they are a-changin’. Since then, the city has embarked on a £1.6bn regeneration programme that is showing encouraging signs that Hull finally means business.

Much like the telephone boxes thing, Hull’s modern economy also bucks the national trend in many ways.

Over the last few years, employment in the manufacturing, energy and water sector in Hull has increased by around 4 per cent, in contrast to a 15 per cent decline nationally. Overall, the manufacturing industry accounts for around 21 per cent of all employment opportunities in the region with the likes of BP, ABP and BAE Systems having facilities in Hull.

Similarly, only 13 per cent of the city’s workforce is employed in the banking, finance and insurance sector, compared to 21 per cent for the rest of the country. Henderson Global Investors and ING Real Estate UK, Insight Investment are just some of the more recent market leading organisations investing in Hull.

However, the sector accounting for most jobs is that of public administration, education and health, employing over 35,000 people in Hull. The health care sector in particular is further enhanced by the research facilities provided by the University of Hull as well as the presence of a number of leading pharmaceutical companies who have key bases here, such as Smith & Nephew and Reckitt Benckiser.

And with several areas of Hull being transformed into new or extended commercial areas, around 28 per cent of all employment opportunities are found in the retail sector – specifically shops, warehouses, hotels and restaurants as Hull continues to attract a growing number of big names to the area, including Waitrose and H&M. And on the back of this, along with a number of regeneration projects earmarked over the next few years such as Quay West and Princess Quay Shopping Centre, is a construction sector that is expected to create a further 8,000 jobs in the city.

The food sector in Hull currently employs more than 13,000 people and the city already boasts international brands such as Merck Seven Seas (Health Supplements), food fats and oils company Aarhuskarlshamn UK Ltd and ADM Cocoa Hull.

But staying true to its maritime history, the deep sea fishing industry may have all-but disappeared, the port itself is continuing to play an important commercial role, handling 13 million tonnes of cargo per year. And with the newly opened rail link to and from the port, freight handling is expected to more than double its previous capacity.

Key business districts
One Humber Quays is the first development at the Quays, Hull's new waterfront and business district and is home to the Royal Bank of Scotland and World Trade Centre among others.

Malmo Food Innovation & Technology Park is a purpose built complex that houses a growing number of food–based organisations to complement Fishgate - a dedicated facility for advanced processing operations within the fish sector.

Elsewhere, Priory Park, the Docks, St Stephens, Kingswood, Kingston International Business Park and Sutton Fields’ Industrial Park, Bontoft Business Park, Estuary Business Park and Melton Park are home to a number of office-based companies and light industrial organisations.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Hull.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Hull below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Hull or find out more information on the local area.