Cottage industry and small businesses in Hull

HumberBridge82

Academy Prospect
Joined
Feb 20, 2026
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Something I've noticed in the last couple of years is how many small businesses and cottage industries are popping up in Hull. Not talking about the big chains but proper independent stuff.
There's a woman near me in the Avenues who makes incredible handmade candles and sells them at local markets. A bloke I know started a craft brewery in his garage and now sells to pubs across the city. The Fruit Market is full of creative businesses that didn't exist five years ago.
I think this is one of the best things about Hull right now. The low cost of living means people can actually afford to take a risk and start something. Try starting a small business in London where your rent is two grand a month before you've even made a sale.
Anyone else running a small business in Hull or know of any good local ones worth supporti
ng?
 
The Fruit Market is a great example of what Hull can be when people invest in independent businesses. Five years ago it was empty warehouses. Now there's galleries, cafes, design studios, creative agencies. The low rents compared to other cities mean people can actually take a chance on an idea without needing a trust fund to finance it. I know a couple who started a small gin distillery in Hull and they're now stocking in bars across Yorkshire. That wouldn't have been possible starting in Leeds or Manchester.
 
This is one of the things that really impressed me about Hull when I moved from London. In London starting a small business is basically impossible unless you've got significant capital. Here people are just doing it. Candle makers, brewers, artists, food producers. The barrier to entry is so much lower and the community is really supportive. People actually buy local here which doesn't happen as much in bigger cities where everyone just defaults to Amazon and Deliveroo.
 
Back
Top