Hull’s latest visitor destination, offering a new concept in dining and entertainment as part of the city centre’s ongoing regeneration, is set to offer even more in 2022.
Hammonds of Hull, known as HoH, opened just in time for Christmas, revealing its new artisan food hall – the first phase of ambitious plans to create “a place to meet, shop, dine and discover, all under one roof”.
In what is believed to be a “first of its kind development” in the country, HoH based in one of the city’s most prominent and iconic buildings, built in 1916, now aims to combine a vibrant collection of dining, organic grocery, retail, food, music, and art offerings.
A key part of the city’s ongoing regeneration, the building has undergone a two-year multi-million-pound transformation and has won praise as a “shining example” of a modern, mixed-use city centre development.
Originally the home of Hull’s most famous department store, Hammonds, the Paragon Street building – with a prime location opposite Hull’s train and bus station – had been a House of Fraser store for almost 50 years, until it closed in 2019.
Now, the building’s ground floor has become a food hall, featuring flavours from all over the world and a large selection of products and fresh produce, many of which are sourced locally from independent retailers. Visitors can pick up freshly cooked pizza, work their way through cured meats and fine wines, refresh themselves at a juice bar or grab a coffee.
Creating over 200 local jobs in a community of foodies, creatives, and emerging artists, the 30,000 square foot industrial space features over 12 differing food and beverage locations such as the Vinyl Lounge, the Tin Man Bar, and 1821 Cocktail and Coffee bar.
For those looking for a drink, hand-pulled, locally brewed 1821 HoH Beer is available from the keg. Alternatively, those who prefer wine can hang around the counter of Vino Deli for charcuterie boards and a choice of over 300 hand-picked wines selected by Peppe, a food and beverage specialist from Italy.
HoH also features ‘Guerrilla Street Kitchen’, a concept that will facilitate local chefs who may not have the opportunities to open their own restaurant, creating a community spirit that showcases and celebrates local talent.
But even more is planned for 2022.
For local music fans and artists, the HoH Food Hall will also be the home of new and fresh music opportunities, in a project steered by Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum producer Jake Gosling, who has worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran and the Libertines.
Jake, in collaboration with Mike White of Browse Magazine, will curate a diverse programme of music events from local artists and a HoH playlist – and in 2022, HoH is also set to add a recording studio in the basement.
Plans for the new venue will also see the basement offer a large event space, opening in the spring, while the upper two floors will be refurbished office space.
For more details, visit www.hohfoodhall.co.uk
For all other tourism information about Hull, see www.visithull.org