Restaurant group brings 1884 style and standards to West Hull villages

The former HU13 restaurant in Hessle which is being transformed into Cucina 1884.

THE business behind two award winning restaurants in Hull city centre has made its first investment outside the city centre by securing a lease on a prominent site in Hessle.

1884, part of Hull-based Headstart Retail, has agreed a 10-year lease on a property at the corner of Ferriby Road and will add Italian to its range of high-class cuisine with the opening of Cucina 1884.

Jane Cook, Director of the new restaurant, is currently recruiting to fill around 14 full-time and part-time posts and plans to open in the autumn, once Headstart Building Services have completed a major refurbishment of the building.

Paul White, Agency Director of Garness Jones chartered surveyors, said the project began to take shape after the closure of HU13 Kitchen, which opened in the property in 2016.

He said: “We have worked closely with the team at 1884 on other projects and we were aware of their interest in opening a restaurant to the west of Hull. This particular site appealed because it was available immediately and offers the opportunity to create something completely different rather than the conventional restaurant configuration.

“It’s also in a great location. There has been significant investment into Hessle in recent years from the food and beverage sector and Cucina 1884 will add to that by bringing a unique style and setting new standards.”

Cucina 1884 will offer seating for around 50 diners including a counter service giving guests a view direct into the kitchen. It will specialise in small plates of pasta and other Italian delights as well as wood-fired pizza, with produce sourced locally as far as possible and authentic specialist ingredients imported from Italy.

Some staff have already been recruited from 1884 Dock Street Kitchen, which closed in June. The restaurant will operate every day except Sunday serving Italian-style breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Jane said: “We’ve identified our head chef and three key front-of-house positions. I’m now looking for a sous chef, chef de partie, commis chef and part-time commis chef as well as more full-time and part-time front-of-house staff.

“The 1884 brand is a hallmark for great food and drink, impeccable service and for standing out as something different. We’ve been looking for an opportunity to bring all of that to the villages west of Hull and the result is Cucina 1884.”

Headstart Retail took its first steps in the restaurant sector in 2010 by opening The Wilson gastrobar at Hull Marina. In 2012 it unveiled its new brand with the launch of 1884 Dock Street Kitchen, which collected local, regional and national restaurant awards as well as critical acclaim in the national media and a coveted listing in the Michelin Guide. In 2015, The Wilson underwent a complete make-over to become 1884 Wine and Tapas Bar.

The opening of Cucina 1884 is part of a programme of major changes announced earlier this summer. 1884 Wine and Tapas Bar continues to go from strength to strength with Deborah Spicer as Director. Dan Poole, former Head Chef at 1884 Wine and Tapas Bar, is now Director of 1884 Marina Bar, which is is due to open later this month in the building previously occupied by 1884 Dock Street Kitchen. James MacLeod-Birch, former Director of 1884 Dock Street Kitchen, is working on plans for the company’s next major project.

Anyone interested in applying for positions at Cucina 1884 should email Jane at info@cucina1884.co.uk