It’s the “vibe” in Paragon Arcade that makes it unique, its independent business owners say.
A jewel in the crown of Hull city centre, this elegant Victorian arcade has undergone an incredible transformation under the ownership of Allenby Commercial.
Paragon Arcade is now thriving as a visitor destination, with an exceptional array of independent eateries, shops and creative businesses.
Bea Suddaby is co-owner of coffee shop Milchig. “We describe Milchig as ‘good coffee, good food, good vibes’,” she says. “It’s a really inclusive, warm space where people can come for a nice relaxed time. We get such a mix of people – from eight months old to 80. We have the biggest, maddest bunch of people! “We’re authentically us, which is important for an independent business. We want everyone who comes through the door to feel welcome, and we work really hard to make all of our food from scratch. “It’s a lovely community to be a part of down here, and we all feed off each other. We work together to make the whole greater than the small parts, and that make it a great place to visit.”
Katrina Moore has been running award-winning bespoke florist Artisan Flowers, just a few doors down, for two years. It specialises in crafting personalised arrangements for all occasions, and also hosts workshops and other events. “We concentrate on high quality, different arrangements,” says Katrina. “The workshops are also a growing part of the business, and we’re transforming our second floor into a dedicated space for this.“We held a wedding fair last year and we’re holding a Christmas fair this year. “We’re unique here in Hull, with so many independent businesses. Just down Paragon Arcade alone, we have loads of lovely places to eat, a music shop, hairdressers – we’ve got everything, and the vibe is wonderful.”
Family-owned and run Segal’s Jewellers has been in business for 105 years. As well as selling jewellery, Segal’s also carries out repairs and buys gold. Jo Roos, one of three partners of the business, says: “Every single customer has their own individual need, and we cater to that. We do a lot of bespoke jewellery, so if someone wants something specifically made, we can do that. “One of things people often say is that we give amazing customer service, and that’s because we care. We have to care because we’re a family business, and we have the younger generation coming through now to take things to the next level.
“We take care of our customers because we have to get things right. That’s what’s Hull’s all about, as it has a lot of small businesses and family businesses in the same position. It’s what helps make it unique.”
