Hammonds of Hull remains closed after there were plans to re-open

Hammonds of Hull remains closed after action to dissolve its parent company halted today today (Friday, March 10).

Hammonds of Hull’s continued closure comes as LDRS understands there were plans to reopen it today.

The length of the current closure remains unknown but Floor Manager Nick Acklam said earlier this week there were plans for it to reopen from Thursday to Sunday going forward.

Its parent company Artisan Food Hall did not respond to a request for comment.

It comes as a notice that strike off action was being discontinued against Artisan Food Hall Trading Ltd launched in early February was posted on Companies House today.

Hammonds of Hull closed without warning on Monday, renewing speculation about the city centre food hall’s future.

Mr Acklam told LDRS the Paragon Street venue was going through a difficult time when asked about the closure but declined to comment further.

It followed an announcement that Hammonds of Hull would scale back opening days in January, closing on Monday and Tuesday.

It remained open from 11am to 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday until 10pm on Friday and Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday.

Hammonds of Hull Food Hall first opened in the ground floor of the former Paragon Street department store in December 2021 .

It features food stalls, a bar and space for live music performances.

But it has been dogged by low footfall despite repeated attempts to reinvent itself.

A relaunch in July featured a new tapas venue, more live music, plans for outdoor market stalls and children’s entertainment.

More recently it hosted a World Cup fanzone last year and a Saturday Makers Market more recently.

Hammonds of Hull also recently lodged a pavement licence application in a bid to put out 65 tables, 204 chairs and 30 barriers for an outdoor area.

Elsewhere, Artisan Food Hall plans to open a similar venue in Worcester in a former Debenhams have yet to come to fruition.

A spokesperson for the company told Worcester News said they remain hopeful for a spring opening despite significant delays since plans were first unveiled in early 2021.

The spokesperson added delays were in part due to waiting for further payments from the building’s owner, an overseas offshore investor managed by a London agent.

Another of the company’s projects, 20 London Road in Northwich, Cheshire, is yet to get off the ground despite plans for a 2021 opening.