Traders in Hull's Fruit Market open their doors to customers again

While several firms have continued to trade online during the lockdown and The Store On Pier Street has remained open throughout, selling essential items and serving the local community, other shops were forced to close.

Now, independent retailers in Humber Street have reopened with safety measures in place, including hand sanitiser stations, contactless payments, two-metre socially distanced floor markings, one-way systems and limits on shoppers allowed inside at any one time.

Traders said they are thrilled to be able to return to Humber Street, re-connect as a community and welcome customers back after being closed for three months.

Riccardo Seaton, owner of Poorboy Boutique, celebrated the store’s return by offering a 50 per cent discount to NHS staff.

He said: “It’s very exciting to be back. The Fruit Market is very special for us and it’s great to see our customers in person again.”

Alice Thomson and Joseph Cox, co-owners of Form Shop & Studio, are also enjoying seeing their loyal customers again.

Ms Thomson said: “We’ve missed them. We have a lot of regulars who we haven’t seen for months and it will be lovely to catch up and thank them for sticking by us and ordering online during lockdown.”

Shaun Barker-Newton, owner of 19point4, said: “Things are a bit different and it’s a learning curve for all of us, but there’s a great support network in the Fruit Market and it’s brilliant to have the community back together.”

The return of retail activity comes as a growing number of cafés, restaurants and bars in the Fruit Market are now providing takeaway and collection services as they await the green light from the Government to return to full trading.

The return of the Fruit Market commercial community has been backed by Wykeland Beal, the joint venture of commercial developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, which is leading the regeneration of the area, working in partnership with Hull City Council. This support has included financial assistance and valuable guidance and advice to all the area’s traders to enable them to withstand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Watson, chartered development surveyor at Wykeland Group, said: “It’s great to see the fantastic independent retailers in Humber Street open once more.

“They have all proven to be tremendously resilient in responding to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak, including by launching innovative online services and now adapting their shops to create a safe and welcoming environment for customers to return.

“We know these businesses have been really missed by their loyal customers and we’re sure shoppers will give them their fullest support now they are back open.

“Many of the cafés, restaurants and bars in the Fruit Market have also introduced takeaway and collection services, which have proven really popular, and we’re looking forward to these businesses also being able to welcome customers through their doors again within the next few weeks.”