Independent pizza brand invests £175k to join Hull's Fruit Market

Buca di Pizza, the independent pizzeria brand, has been announced as the latest addition to the dining offering in Hull’s Fruit Market area.

The brand is owned by brothers Geoff and Nick Thornton and the name loosely translates as “the pizza pit”.

Geoff and Nick are investing £175k in fitting out the pizzeria and bar in Humber Street, which will create 15 full-time and part-time jobs. The 1,900 sq ft venue will have 80 covers inside with seating for up to 20 diners outside.

Buca di Pizza is the latest in a wave of investments within recent months as part of the £80m transformation of the Fruit Market.

The renovation is being delivered by Wykeland Beal, a joint venture company formed by regeneration company Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, working in partnership with Hull City Council.

The addition of the pizzeria follows on from an array of opening announcements in theFruit Market, including restaurants Ambiente Tapas, Butler Whites and Tapasya @ Marina; artisan chocolatier Cocoa Chocolatier and Patisserie; arts venue Humber Street Gallery, Humber Street Distillery Co gin bar; and vintage fashion brand Poorboy Boutique.

Geoff Thornton said: “The Fruit Market area is unique – it has such an interesting and very European feel. The developers, Wykeland Beal, have a very clear vision of the Fruit Market as a place populated by a mix of independent operators and that’s very attractive to us.

“It’s becoming a one-stop shop for any kind of cuisine you might choose. There’s English, Indian and Spanish and we’re now adding Italian – and all of them are distinctive, independent offerings.

“There’s also retail, galleries and more new venues opening all the time. It’s a great place to visit during the day and in the evening and we’re very excited about becoming part of it.”

The Fruit Market’s commercial opportunities will be complemented by a development of 101 new homes around private courtyards, due to start construction before the end of 2017.

Mr Thornton added: “The unit is a great space and very airy, with lots of natural light, so it will feel like an orangery. We’re retaining many of the original features, such as the tiled floor, and it will have a really lovely rustic feel.”

The owners plan to have a pop-up presence at the Humber Street Sesh music festival, which is based in the Fruit Market, on August 5th and plan to be fully open in September.

David Donkin, property director of Wykeland, speaking on behalf of Wykeland Beal, commented: “Buca di Pizza is a great fit for the Fruit Market and the community of independent operators in and around Humber Street.

“It offers a relaxed, family-friendly dining experience and brings another new and distinctive element to the mix of leisure, retail, cultural and commercial uses that are making the Fruit Market a compelling new destination.”

Buca di Pizza will be located between Ambiente Tapas and Cocoa Chocolatier and Patisserie in Humber Street.

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