Plans to open a new artisan food hall in the former home of Hull’s House of Fraser building have been approved.
The concept, which would create 40 full time and 80 part time jobs, proposes to create a mix of market-style independent food and drink stalls with communal tables.
Hull’s flagship House of Fraser building, in Paragon Square, has lay empty since the department store closed its doors for the final time last summer.
Artisan Food Hall was the idea created to fill the void left by House of Fraser.
Plans for the indoor food market – similar in concept to Hull’s Trinity Market – were submitted by the building’s owners and Artisan Food Hall Ltd were submitted in late November.
Hull City Council has now given the green light to the proposals.
A planning document submitted with the application said: “The artisan food hall concept is one of the small ‘boutique’ food offerings grouped within an attractively presented shared dining space with associated market stalls for food shopping.
“The proposal will support employment in the city, and also have the potential to increase the number of visitors to Hull city centre, supporting the vitality and viability of existing businesses and potentially also acting as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area.”
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“Once operational, the Artisan Food Hall use is projected to create around 40 full time and 80 part time jobs.”
The approved plans will also see Caffe Nero re-open in the building.
The coffee chain shut its doors in the building at the same time as House of Fraser, leaving just its Ferensway and Queen Victoria Square outlets.
However, Caffe Nero is now expected to return to the Paragon Square complex.
Speaking previously about the Artisan Food development, a Hammonds of Hull spokesperson said: "Since meeting with Artisan Food Hall and their team we were excited about the potential of their dynamic ideas and concepts which align perfectly with ours for the regeneration of the building.
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"We truly believe that it will create a real buzz around the city, offering something completely new and unique to the North of England and is an excellent example of landlord and tenant partnership.
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"We are committed to the revival of the building and that commitment extends throughout the city as we will be looking to welcome as many local producers as possible."
Plans to convert the upper floors of the building into serviced apartments and new office space have already been given the go-ahead.