It was sunshine and smiles as staff and special guests gathered for the official opening of Hull's new Central Fire Station.
Ninety years after the original Hull Central was opened on Worship Street, Chief Fire Officer Dene Sanders welcomed guests to the new home on Spring Street behind the new Hilton Hotel which is currently under construction.
It has taken just over 12 months to build and a budget of £2.2 million, but it was worth every penny as press, Members of the Fire Authority and staff were shown around the state of the art facility with its new training hub, meeting room, hi-tech gym and rest areas.
CFO Sanders explained that Worship Street had come to the end of its natural lifespan:
"This new facility is well overdue. We were getting a little hemmed in down at Worship Street and much of the old station is now part of the New Theatre redevelopment. I must thank Hull City Council for agreeing to the land swap so that we have a more suitable location to serve the people of Hull. We are close to the major Ferensway and Spring Bank junction so we will maintain, if not improve our excellent response standards to any part of the city."
Traffic management systems will allow a quick exit onto Ferensway for the crews who will man the station 24/7. The colourful Hull 2017 UK City of Culture engine will be based at the new Hull Central and provided a great backdrop for many of the event's photographs.
Chair of Humberside Fire Authority Councillor John Briggs was delighted to formally cut the ribbon and present a commemorative plaque back to the watch. He was proud to open a new station so soon after Clough Road was replaced in 2015. East Hull will follow in 2018 as a new station will form part of the Integrated Care Centre.