A couple have delivered on their dream of building a business based on a passion for beer tourism after opening their first shop in a Victorian arcade in Hull.

The venture comes three years after Karla and Andrew Murphy launched 80 Days Bier Haus – the bar which they opened in Princes Avenue, when they couldn’t find suitable premises for a shop.

Their patience was rewarded when they were tipped off about plans by property developers Allenby Commercial to restore Paragon Arcade in Hull city centre with the aim of making it a magnet for quality independent traders, and now they are up and running with cans and bottles from around the world at 80 Days Bier Markt.

The couple have been together for 17 years and have travelled widely, taking inspiration from Belgium, Germany and New Orleans in planning their new project. Andrew had plenty of experience working in bars and restaurants and Karla has given up her job as a lecturer to run the shop. 

Karla said: “The bar is going really well but we’ve always wanted a shop. When we opened the bar we just couldn’t find the right place for the shop, and there wasn’t the interest in craft beer that there is now.

“We heard from our friends at the Two Gingers Coffee House that Allenbys had bought the Arcade and we knew it would be a good fit for us. Now we’re opposite them in the Arcade and it’s going great so far.”

Allenbys bought the Arcade in the autumn of 2017 and embarked on an improvement programme to improve the external appearance of the units and restore the traditional look. The firm has an active Instagram account which is attracting enquiries from interested parties @paragon_arcade_hull

80 Days Bier Markt is the first of the businesses to operate on two floors and joins neighbours selling flowers, hand-made cakes, antique jewellery, brilliant coffee, vintage clothing and classic sweets, plus a traditional barber.

Karla said: “We are selling bottles and cans including Belgian beers, Scandinavian beers and one brewed by a Dane in New York which has really taken off. We will also be selling accessories including nice beer glasses because, it makes a difference to have the right glass for your beer. There will also be bottle openers, t-shirts and bags and we’re open seven days a week.

“We really like the Arcade and Allenby Commercial like what we are doing. The shop is perfect for what we are about. It’s small and it’s got character and the owners have great plans for the Arcade, making it a really nice place to be.”

Charlie Allenby, the company’s Contracts Manager, said: “There are many high-quality, small retailers in the city centre and we want to bring in more, ideally offering the sort of products that are lacking at the moment. This is one example.

“We are offering an easy route into the market for start-ups and people who want to expand. There are two vacant units ready for occupation and we are working to create more space for new businesses and for the businesses that are already here.

“Our vision is to create a welcoming, alternative space of artisan traders working together and we’re inviting interest from anyone in the Hull area or further afield who shares our vision and has an independent business which would be a good fit with what we already have.”