An independent pizzeria brand has been announced as the latest addition to the exciting line-up of dining options in Hull’s rapidly-evolving Fruit Market area.
Buca di Pizza will add to the growing list of distinctive leisure venues in the waterside district, which is at the forefront of Hull’s exciting rejuvenation.
The brand is owned by brothers Geoff and Nick Thornton and the name loosely translates as “the pizza pit”. Geoff Thornton said the Fruit Market had special appeal in a city opening up to many new visitors drawn by Hull’s status as UK City of Culture 2017.
He 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.”
Buca di Pizza is the latest in a wave of investments within recent months as part of the £80m transformation of the Fruit Market 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 pizzeria follows the likes of high-quality restaurants Ambiente Tapas, Butler Whites and Tapasya @ Marina; artisan chocolatier Cocoa Chocolatier and Patisserie; arts venue Humber Street Gallery, which features a ground-floor café and rooftop bar; Humber Street Distillery Co gin bar; and vintage fashion brand Poorboy Boutique.
The Fruit Market’s commercial opportunities will be complemented by a development of 101 new mews-style homes around private courtyards, due to start construction before the end of 2017.
Buca di Pizza’s owners are investing £175,000 in fitting out the pizzeria and bar in Humber Street and the opening 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.
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 Saturday 5 August and plan to be fully open in September.
David Donkin, Property Director of Wykeland, speaking on behalf of Wykeland Beal, said: “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 is at the forefront of a fresh breed of informal Italian restaurants offering a new dimension to pizza’s timeless appeal. It has made its name by taking traditional Italian classics and giving them an exciting and contemporary twist by using ingredients and flavours from around the world.
Buca di Pizza will be located between Ambiente Tapas and Cocoa Chocolatier and Patisserie in Humber Street. For more details about Buca di Pizza visit www.bucadipizza.com or follow the brand on social media @bucadipizza
