A businessman with passions for food and sailing has combined them to open a new restaurant with a nautical theme.

Port-Side Bistro is in the perfect location in Princes Dock Street, Hull, and owner Mark Duckett is now looking for memorabilia to reinforce the seafaring atmosphere.

“We’re at the side of Princes Dock, we’re next to Trinity House and I’m a keen sailor with my own boat,” said Mark, who has worked in catering for more than seven years and whose wife Tracey came up with the name for the business.

“It makes sense to tie in with Hull’s maritime traditions and it will help us because we aim to be a bit different.”

Owners Mark and Tracey Duckett (courtesy of Hull Daily Mail)

A comprehensive refurbishment of the building was completed in time to enable Mark to open for business in time for Christmas, but the festive season was never the target.

“Rather than getting open for Christmas the priority was getting it right,” said Mark.

“So we didn’t rush anything because we recognise it will be the new year before business takes off, but it certainly doesn’t do any harm to be here for Christmas. People will see that we’re open for business and it’s a chance for us to show them what we can do.”

Mark and his team have set out to offer cuisine with a difference, with guests invited to mix and match according to their own tastes from the range of main meals, salads and side dishes.

“It’s all about making things a bit more interesting,” he said.

“The salads are particularly creative - ginger and coriander go very well with the salmon but we’ve also got a salad of chorizo with chickpeas, bacon with black pudding and butter beans, and all sorts of other options.”

Mark expects the venture to create four or five jobs, but possibly more if he decides to add to the 30 covers inside the building by expanding with an outdoor eating area on the dockside.

“That’s something for the future but for now we’re concentrating on the bistro itself. We’ve already collected some great nautical memorabilia and we’re always interested in hearing about anything else that will help us create the atmosphere we want.

“There is a lot of competition when it comes to restaurants in Hull and there is more investment on the way, so that just underlines how important it is for Port-Side Bistro to be good and different.”

Kathryn Shillito, Hull BID City Centre Manager, welcomed the arrival of Port-Side Bistro.

“The city centre has a good selection of high quality eateries and this is a very welcome addition,” said Kathryn.

“Mark has done a great job with the refurbishment and has come up with some really exciting ideas for the menu and the decor, and we wish him every success.”

Port-Side Bistro

Princes Dock Street

01482213202