Paragon Arcade invites shoppers to “meet the makers” as local independents launch festive programme
Polly Langham (left) of Milk salon and Ellen Crabtree of Belle and Benjamin, who have both opened in Paragon Arcade during 2019.
A VICTORIAN arcade which has become a hub for independent retailers is inviting shoppers to “meet the makers” as it kicks off an array of festive activities.
With thousands of people expected to descend on Hull city centre for late-night Christmas shopping over the coming weeks, for most of the businesses in the Paragon Arcade, it's a great opportunity to showcase their products and their community spirit.
The Victorian arcade has been transformed since being bought by Hull-based developer Allenby Commercial two years ago.
The first Christmas under the new owners highlighted the variety on offer from long-term tenants including Flower Corner, Segal’s antique jewellery, P J Hutchinson Barbers and Silver Springs vintage clothing as well as from newcomers Two Gingers Coffee House, Marla’s Deli, White Rabbit Chocolatiers and 80 Days Bier Markt.
During 2019 more businesses have moved in including Milk hair salon, Belle and Benjamin babywear and Koda, making bespoke modern furniture. In addition White Rabbit has expanded with the opening of a café on the first floor.
Segal’s jewellers, the renowned Hull business which celebrated its centenary this year, will vacate two units when it completes its move into a new showroom nearby and Allenbys already have new tenants lined up.
Allenby Commercial bought Paragon Arcade, which was built in 1891 by Sir Alfred Gelder, in autumn 2017 and maintained the Victorian look and feel with a refurbishment programme which has improved ground floor units and brought neglected first floor space back into use.
Georgia Allenby, Design and Marketing Manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “We have been contacted by other people who want to be in here and are waiting for units to become available. They tend to be start-up ideas so we are creating a pipeline and maybe the Arcade will act as bit of an incubator with businesses becoming established and moving to some of our bigger premises.
“We want to keep Paragon Arcade small, varied and busy with successful businesses. Each business is independent, has its own identity and is doing something brilliant on its own whilst also synching with the other businesses, complementing each other. We’re not just looking for businesses which will pay the rent and be successful, it’s also about whether they fit with the overall theme of the arcade.
“We allow everybody to have their own style and push new ideas. Two Gingers go to Berlin to taste the coffee before they buy it. They find out what coffee you like and they make it for you. Marla’s uses locally-sourced products to create hearty, home-made goodness. Belle & Benjamin has hand-sourced fabrics which are hand-sewn and handed to the customers. Paragon Arcade is all about meeting the makers, the business owners who turn their great ideas into reality.
“Every month the traders combine to welcome visitors to After Hours, an evening of great food, drink and entertainment which itself has become a great marketing tool. A lot of the enquiries we receive about space come from people who have been to After Hours and want to be a part of that community.”
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “No city or town centre is exempt from the challenges facing the high street and the retail sector. That’s why we work so hard to promote and support local, independent businesses and Paragon Arcade is remarkable because it has been developed to do just that.
“It’s fantastic to see the quality and variety within the Arcade and to see the traders working together to create events which will attract more people into the city centre to the benefit of the wider business community.”
Another new arrival, Homestead Store, will open its doors in the Arcade on Monday 25 November. Homestead Store will host a Christmas wreath-making session on Thursday 5 December and on Saturday 7 December Paragon Arcade will present its final After Hours event of 2019.
Places at the wreath-making event on Thursday 5 December are available for £35 per person which includes a wreath, mulled wine and mince pies. To book visit @Homestead_Store on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
For details of all Paragon Arcade events please visit the website at www.paragonarcade.co.uk
