Trio launching outdoor street food experience
BACKERS INCLUDE PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALLER
ENTREPRENEURS behind a new street food venue opening in Hessle, which include a Premier League footballer, say coronavirus has proved to be a “double-edged sword”.
Josh Thompson, along with Hessle-born West Bromwich Albion defender Conor Townsend and local restaurant owner Denny Cooper, said Dockside Dining aimed to offer a coronavirussecure venue and opportunities for struggling caterers.
Mr Thompson said the pandemic had pushed back its opening, which was originally slated for summer. But he said while restrictions introduced since the pandemic had altered the concept from the original vision 18 months ago, its outdoor offering would work in its favour.
Mr Thompson’s comments come ahead of the venue’s opening weekend, with tomorrow’s launch having sold out days after tickets went on sale.
Property developer Mr Thompson is working with Mr Cooper and Mr Townsend, who also played for Hull City.
He said three independent food vendors would be at the venue on the site of the former Ferry Boat Inn and San Luca restaurant in Livingston Road tomorrow.
Mr Thompson said: “The venue will be for pop-up food vendors, we’ve got all the permissions from the council now.
“We came up with the concept about 18 months ago and originally wanted to do it in a warehouse or big, open space.
“There are lots of these kinds of venues in cities all over now, they’re rammed every week, but this area didn’t have one until now. The concept was designed before coronavirus, so we’ve had to adapt, but we think it’ll be something different and fresh for the area.
“We’ve got 70 to 80 bookings for Friday night, when guests arrive the vendors will be set up around the outside of the venue and there will be a bar in a shipping container. Under normal circumstances we’d have six to seven food vendors, but we’re down to three.
“The ones we’ve got for Friday are an Argentinian grill, a Napoli pizza maker and one for artisan hot dogs.
Mr Thompson dining habits as pandemic could appealing.
He said: “People might feel safer eating and drinking outside now. Even if restrictions tighten, we could still offer somewhere where it’s easier to social distance and reduce coronavirus transmissions.
“We are community-focused and can cater for a large number of people. We decided to work with local caterers to give them an opportunity after struggling in lockdown. said changing a result of the make it more
“We’ve had some good chats with East Riding Council, who are really optimistic about it.
“Coronavirus has been a double-edged sword for us, we can’t take as many bookings or have as many vendors as we could under normal times.
“Working from home also meant processes that would normally take two or three weeks took months.
“But had the pandemic not happened we’d probably have opened in summer when we’d get most of our trade then close at this time of year, so it means we can offer something now.
“There were times during all of this when we thought it would be crazy to open a venue after seeing what has happened to other bars and restaurants that have closed. But we thought we would give it a try, because safe environments like this are what’s needed.
“We’re hoping to hire five or six staff to work the bar and clean the venue down afterwards.
“We’ve also got local artists involved. They’re going to put their work up in and around the seating area.
“Once we get closer to Christmas, we’re also thinking of doing a market where local businesses can sell cards and gifts.
“So we’re hoping to provide a nice event space for people to come and enjoy that’s been lacking in the area for a while.”