Hull Street Food Nights proving a big hit with city centre businesses
Crowds at this year’s Hull Street Food Nights
THE THIRD in this summer’s series of Hull Street Food Nights, on Thursday 27th July, is being given a different flavour with a full-on 70s disco theme. Hull 70s covers band Atlantic 45 will be performing two sets, at 6.30pm and 7.45pm. They will be joined on stage by 70s dancers, and glitterball mirror men will be roaming around the event too.
Traders and the public are encouraged to dress up in 70s costumes, with a prize of £50 in vouchers to be used at the last Hull Street Food Night of the summer, on Thursday 28th September, up for grabs for the best costume.
City centre food traders are counting down to the next event, all of which have been pulling the crowds to Zebedee’s Yard and attracting them through the front doors of the businesses. Organised by HullBID, the events run from 4pm-9pm and are being part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Husband and wife team Jason and Tash Nichols opened their Stretch Pizza restaurant in Paragon Arcade earlier this year but honed their skills and built the brand before that by working at markets, festivals, weddings and Hull Street Food Nights.
Jason said: “As far as I could see, all the Hull businesses did really well at the latest event. I didn’t know what to expect because, with us being open six days a week maybe people would try other things, but we still had big queues and we sold out again!
“It’s going well at the restaurant as well. We all have quiet days every now and then, but on other days and nights it gets really busy. We’re looking forward to the remaining Hull Street Food Nights and we’re also lining up some other events.”
Salt & Pepper Club was also opened in Paragon Arcade last year, by Ben Liang, and made its Hull Street Food Nights debut at the latest event.
John Leedham, who works at Salt & Pepper Club, said: “Some of the other places in Paragon Arcade have done it before and they told us about it – we’re all good friends down here and we work together.
“We offered about half of our normal menu and the queue in Zebedee’s Yard was nearly the length of Zebedee’s Yard! It went really well and we’re very excited about the next one.”
Herby’s also made its first appearance at Hull Street Food Nights and Michelle Hodgson, whose dad Tony Burr launched the business in 1984, ran the stall with her daughter Amelia.
Michelle said: “HullBID really supported us and encouraged us and we enjoyed it. It was our first event anywhere – in the past we have avoided them because the shop is so busy, but we gave it a go and it was hard work but we will see if we can do another.
“We were selling one item that we rarely sell in the shop and people have been coming in asking for it, so they must have seen us in Zebedee’s Yard. There were also people who thought we had closed when we moved from Princes Quay, so because of Hull Street Food Nights they’ve found us again!”
Sponsors ResQ were again out in force at the second of this summer’s events and will be there again for the third event on Thursday 27 July to raise awareness of their work and update people on the expansion of their Hull contact centre operation which already employs more than 2,000 people.
Kathryn Shillito, Executive Director of HullBID, said: “We’re really grateful to ResQ for sponsoring all the Hull Street Food Nights this year and to all the businesses that have taken part,
“The feedback from the sponsors, participants and public has been phenomenal and it’s especially pleasing that the businesses are doing really well at the events and seeing the business boost follow them back to their premises. Hull Street Food Nights are all about supporting businesses by building the evening economy and it’s great to see they are making such an impact.”
Hull Street Food Nights feature about 30 different food vendors and an entertainment package which includes live music, DJ sets, street entertainment and free glitter face painting. The next two events will take place in Zebedee’s Yard on Thursday 27 July and Thursday 28 September.
