Yorkshire’s first gin bar and distillery is to add to the exciting spirit of regeneration flowing through Hull’s rapidly-evolving Fruit Market.
Humber Street Distillery Co is the brainchild of Lee Kirman and Charlotte Bailey, who have rejuvenated the nearby Minerva pub, making it one of East Yorkshire’s most popular hostelries.
Inspired by the surge in popularity of gin, the couple are now creating one of only a handful of combined gin bars and distilleries across the country, to add to the vibrant atmosphere of Humber Street in the heart of the Fruit Market quarter.
They are investing £160k in the new venue, with £50k going on a bespoke, 150-litre gin still which is being imported from Germany. The opening will create up to eight full and part-time jobs.
The bar will open on 15 April, with the still due to be installed in August when the couple will begin producing their own unique brand of fruit-flavoured gin in tribute to the venue’s location.
Lee Kirman said, “We have taken inspiration from bars in cities such as London and Edinburgh, but wanted to take it a step further by distilling our own gin on the premises. We approached Wykeland Beal about opportunities in the Fruit Market and they have been really positive and supportive. We felt they really understood the concept and wanted us to be part of the exciting rebirth of Humber Street.
“We knew we could make a real success of it because gin is seeing such a resurgence in popularity. We stock around 50 varieties of gin at The Minerva and they go down really well with our customers. Our first gin festival last October was also a great success.
“The Fruit Market area is seeing massive regeneration and investment and we felt the time was right to bring our new business venture to fruition. We feel it will fit in perfectly as part of the growing community of independent businesses in Humber Street.”
The 1,800 sq ft venue has been designed by East Yorkshire-based DEN Group, the company that designed 1884 Dock Street Kitchen, the award-winning restaurant that was among the pioneers of the Fruit Market rejuvenation.
Around 100 different varieties of gin, unusual spirits, local and international craft beers and bespoke cocktails will be on offer. Food offerings will include gourmet bar snacks and sharing platters.
To master the art of gin distillery and production, the owners have teamed up with acclaimed gin distiller Jamie Baxter, who opened the City of London Distillery in 2012 – the first gin distillery to open in the capital for 200 years. Mr Baxter is also known for creating spirits such as Burleighs London Dry Gin and the award-winning Chase Vodka.
When the distillery is up and running, guests will be able to attend tasting sessions and master classes on the making of gin, as well as being able to distil their own gin from a miniature still brought to their table. They will then be able to take away their tipple in a Fruit Market-themed and personalised bottle.
The bar will be managed by Craig Heads, former manager of the successful bar and restaurant The Old House, in Hull’s Old Town, and will be open initially from Tuesday to Sunday, 12 noon to 11pm.
Heads said, “Our focus is predominantly on gin but we will stock a good range of craft beers, an assortment of interesting spirits and a wide selection of classic and bespoke cocktails. Customers can also pop in for a pot of Yorkshire Tea and a platter of locally-produced cheese, so we will offer something for everyone.”
Humber Street Distillery Co is the latest investment as part of the rejuvenation of the Fruit Market being delivered by Wykeland Beal, the joint venture company formed by regeneration company Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, working in partnership with Hull City Council.
The £80m transformation of the Fruit Market as Hull’s first 'urban village' includes new and refurbished commercial, retail and leisure space centred on Humber Street. The commercial units will be complemented by a development of 101 new mews-style homes around private courtyards, due to start construction by the summer.
Humber Street Distillery Co is the latest in a wave of recent investments into the Fruit Market, including high-quality restaurants Ambiente Tapas, Butler Whites and Tapasya @ Marina; artisan chocolatier Cocoa Chocolatier and Patisserie; Humber Street Gallery; and vintage fashion brand Poorboy Boutique.
