Fruit Market welcomes fresh faces and flavours
NEW ARRIVALS: From left, Tommy Coyle of TC60 fitness centre, Alfie Appleton from Chinese Laundry, and The Smoke Room owner Andy Chase
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Hull’s Fruit Market is welcoming a wave of new businesses to the area, including new dining destinations, a vintage clothing shop and a gym.
The new arrivals are Asian-inspired eatery The Social Distortion, American-style smokehouse The Smoke Room, vintage clothes shop Chinese Laundry, and boutique fitness centre TC60.
The additions to the Fruit Market community mean Humber Street in the heart of the waterfront quarter is fully occupied for the first time since the regeneration of the area began.
Eagerly-awaited experimental Asian cuisine eatery, The Social Distortion, became the first of the new businesses to open its doors.
The restaurant initially took up a pop-up space in the Fruit Market before securing a permanent spot in Humber Street.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS: The Social Distortion has opened in Hull’s Fruit Market
Guests can enjoy a selection of innovative Asian dishes accompanied by creative cocktails, with the food and drink offerings seasonal and ever-changing.
The Social Distortion offers two different styles of dining. The first is a casual offering, with a carefully created small plates menu. The second is set menu dining, consisting of a tasting menu-style concept.
Mark Hill, who owns The Social Distortion with his wife Wendy, said: “After spending a lot of time looking for a suitable location, we’re really pleased to finally be here on Humber Street among a great set of independents.”
After closing its long-established store in Savile Street in Hull city centre last December, Chinese Laundry has now re-emerged in the Fruit Market.
Since it was founded in 2004, Chinese Laundry has built a reputation for high-quality vintage and original clothing.
‘NEW CHAPTER’: Founder Alfie Appleton with team members Leon Johnson, Joe Gray and Cloie Hockney in the new Chinese Laundry vintage clothes shop
Founder Alfie Appleton said: “Moving to Humber Street and joining such a great bunch of independents marks a new chapter for us.”
Former professional boxer Tommy Coyle has extended his TC60 Training Club to include a new location on Humber Street. The gym offers a full schedule of classes, small group personal training sessions and member access to the TC60 Training Club app.
Tommy said: “The Fruit Market means a lot to me. I spent the early years of my life down Humber Street, learning from my dad when this was the heart of the city’s fruit and veg trade. Opening a gym in this area was a no-brainer for me, and I’m excited about its future.”
The Smoke Room is due to open this month, introducing an authentic slice of American cuisine to the city.
Owner Andy Chase said: “We plan to slow cook meats like brisket and short ribs for 13 to 15 hours, using just the heat from the smoke, and whole chickens and baby back ribs for three to four hours.”
The new openings see Humber Street fully let for the first time since the area’s regeneration began, spearheaded by the Wykeland Beal joint venture of commercial developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, working in partnership with Hull City Council.