Rainer Schmidt has fallen in love with all things Hull and has been coming on holiday to the northern city for more than three decades (Picture: Hull Daily Mail/MEN Media)
A German tourist has said his love of a British fry-up is just one of the reasons why he has been coming on holiday to Hull for the last 30 years.
Rainer Schmidt, 56, fell in love with the port city during a business trip in July 1991, which was the first time he had ever stayed in a ‘real British’ hotel he said.
Mr Schmidt was overjoyed at the exotic northern delicacies such as a pattie butty, and since been coming back and forth to the home of the Humber Bridge for 32 years.
He first arrived in Hull when he worked for a transport company with an office in Hedon Road.
He was put up in Earlsmere Guesthouse in Sunny Bank, where he befriended the owner, Chris Lawson.
All of these years later, Chris and Rainer have remained close friends and Chris organised a special surprise for Rainer’s visit this time around.
He said: ‘When I first came to Hull in July 1991, I had never stayed in a real British hotel before. ‘I found it interesting and was impressed by the quiet area and the nice room, but I really fell in love with the English breakfast.
Rainer Schmidt with Lord Mayor Kalvin Neal, and Consort Philip Pinder (Picture: Hull Daily Mail/MEN Media)
Hull Minster is one of the top beauty spots in the north(Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
‘I had seen it on TV and heard about it, but it was my first time indulging in it.
‘British sausages aren’t the best, so I make sure to swap them for extra bacon but otherwise, it is great.’
Aside from traditional cuisine, the white phone boxes and the world’s smallest window,it was actually the Hullensian charm that kept bringing Rainer back.
He said: ‘I had the option to visit the northern office in Hull or the southern office in Oxford and I quickly said I wanted to come to the the north.
‘I find northern people so friendly and warm- it reminds me of home when I’m here. I was invited to a birthday party by a colleague in Hull and I didn’t know what to expect because I had never met them before.
‘But in only 10 minutes, they made me feel like family and that I was at home. I feel like I’m at least 30% British after my time spent travelling here.
‘You could say I’ve caught the Yorkshire virus! The beautiful countryside and kind people are what makes Hull great.’
Even after Rainer stopped working for the company, he returned to Hull every year for a holiday, only missing 2006 and a couple of years through the pandemic.
He continued: ‘I worried that my health during Covid wouldn’t allow me to come back here- it was a hard three years not visiting.
The Maritime Museum and City Hall are also two of the beautiful reasons why Rainer loves the city (Picture: Getty Images)
He has been coming on holiday in Hull since the 1990s(Picture: Hull Daily Mail/MEN Media)
‘I try to spend four or five days here every year before going up to Scotland. When I first became a tourist, it was the ships and port in Hull that I was very impressed with.
‘Since then I’ve been to Hull Fair, Trinity House and the Guildhall, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
‘In 32 years, not much has changed, it still feels the same as the first time I arrived in Sunny Bank.
‘I have made great friends in Hull, some of whom have moved or are no longer alive. But the friends that remain here, like Chris, still meet with me. Next time, I would like to go to a comedy night or maybe visit the theatre.’
Long-time friend Chris was blown away at how loyal Rainer is to the city. ‘For a person who has limited funds to spend on a holiday each year, to choose Hull every time is very unique,’ Chris said.
‘Rainer’s loyalty to Hull makes him an honorary citizen in my eyes. Therefore, I wanted to do something special for him by setting up a meeting with the Lord Mayor.’
Chris had the meeting planned months in advance and could not wait to surprise his friend with the special opportunity. The two friends were welcomed into the Guildhall on Tuesday afternoon and Rainer was given a letter of thanks for his annual visits to the city.
Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Kalvin Neal, even joked that Rainer was ‘keeping the city going’ through his contributions to Hull’s economy.
Rainer could not have been more delighted, as he beamed throughout the lengthy chat.
The Mayor said Rainer is ‘keeping the city going’ with his countless jaunts to Hull.