Independent vintage fashion brand Poorboy Boutique is to open in Hull’s fashionable Fruit Market area.
Poorboy Boutique will be the first new retail offering to open in Humber Street in the heart of the Fruit Market, as the area becomes established as a shopping and leisure destination.
Specialising in original brand classics such as Barbour; Burberry; Adidas; Levi; and Tommy Hilfiger, the Poorboy Boutique team gives timeless vintage pieces a new and exciting lease of life.
Pre-loved and unwanted garments are collected from all over the world to be remastered and transformed into modern on-trend pieces which are one of a kind. Customers from as far afield as Russia, Japan and the United States shop online regularly for Poorboy exclusive garments.
The owners of the business, husband and wife team Riccardo and Angela Seaton, have decided to open in Humber Street to capitalise on the exciting regeneration of the Fruit Market and bring hand-picked, high-end vintage brands to the ever-evolving waterside quarter.
Riccardo said: “This is the perfect time for us to invest in the Fruit Market. It’s a super cool area with its own unique identity. Every building in Humber Street has its own history and story to tell – just like our clothes.
“These are really exciting times for the Fruit Market – you can see the changes happening all around. Fashion, especially vintage clothing, naturally connects with art, music and culture. Humber Street is all about individuality and that’s what we’re about too.”
Angela said: “It’s an amazing opportunity for us to open in Humber Street and to be the first retailer to be part of the exciting regeneration of the Fruit Market.
“This is the cultural hub of Hull, it’s where tourists visit, where big events take place and people come to socialise.
“This location gives us the opportunity to put our own individual stamp on the shop. It will look amazing and we believe it will attract other retailers. We hope this will be the stepping stone for us to expand to other cities around the country.”
Poorboy Store Manager Caroline Pendleton said: “Humber Street is now established as the cultural quarter of Hull and we wanted to be part of it.
“Our style is highly original – we set the trends, rather than follow them, so it’s the perfect place for us. There’s a massive opportunity for us to link with the area’s cultural community and we’re making plans to be involved in Humber Street Sesh, Freedom Festival and so many other events that take place around here.”
Set to open next month, the 1,000 sq ft fashion boutique will have an urban industrial feel, complementing the design style of other businesses that have moved into refurbished former fruit and vegetable warehouses in Humber Street.
The announcement is the latest investment as part of the £80m transformation of the Fruit Market being delivered by Wykeland Beal, the joint venture company formed by commercial developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, working in partnership with Hull City Council.
The regeneration 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.
Tom Watson, Development Surveyor at Wykeland Group, said: “We’re very much looking forward to Poorboy Boutique joining and enhancing the Humber Street community.
“Poorboy Boutique will continue the strong theme of the Fruit Market being populated by local independent operators and will add to the mix of retailers, restaurants and creative offerings that are making the Fruit market a great place to visit and enjoy, during the day and into the evening.
“We’re already seeing a significant increase in footfall to the area. People are hearing about the transformation of the Fruit Market and are coming here to see for themselves – it’s becoming a destination in its own right.”
Poorboy Boutique is expected to be the first of a number of retail lettings to be announced by Wykeland Beal.
In addition, work will begin by the summer on four new, three-storey buildings filling a gap on the north side of Humber Street left by structures that were beyond repair. The new buildings, which will complement and complete the street scene, will be focused on retail on the ground floors with apartments on the first and second floors, for sale or rent.
Poorboy Boutique will join other new ventures in the Fruit Market, including high-quality restaurants Butler Whites, Ambiente Tapas and Tapasya @ Marina; artisan chocolatier Cocoa Chocolatier and Patisserie; and Humber Street Gallery.
The business also has its own store on leading online fashion destination, ASOS Marketplace, where independent boutiques can sell new and pre-worn fashion to a worldwide audience.
Details of the Poorboy range can be found at www.poor-boy.co.uk and you can follow the brand on these social media platforms:
Facebook: PoorboyBoutique
Twitter: @poorboyboutique
Instagram: poorboyonline
