From jamie.goodwin@hullcc.gov.uk | Friday 9 November 2018
Chocolate shop is part of a redevelopment of the historic arcade by Allenby Commercial.
Popular artisan chocolate shop and cafe White Rabbit Chocolatiers has opened a second outlet in Hull’s Paragon Arcade.
The shop, part of a redevelopment of the historic arcade by Allenby Commercial, will eventually feature a unique Hull blend of delicious chocolate treats.
The family team plans to add a micro kitchen, desserterie and workshop space serving hot chocolates and chocolate desserts and hosting social events in the new year.
This marks the latest leg of an ongoing expansion for the business, which was originally established 14 years ago by former teacher Sally Hawkes and is now run by her son Ed Hawkes and daughter Amy Fenner.
Two years ago, they added a chocolate cafe to their main Beverley shop, in the town’s Dyer Lane and have seen trade build dramatically ever since.
White Rabbit Chocolatiers has won 17 Great Taste Awards. Picture courtesy of White Rabbit Chocolatiers
Managing director Ed Hawkes said: “Opening the Beverley cafe was the natural next step for us in the town. It was a brave move but we’ve been overwhelmed by how popular it’s become, with people travelling from across Yorkshire and beyond to visit us.
“As a result, we’ve been hoping to build on this demand for a while, by opening another outlet, but wanted to wait until we found the perfect venue. When we were approached by the Allenby Commercial team about their plans for Paragon Arcade, we knew straight away that this was it.”
The new White Rabbit outlet is in Unit 6 of Paragon Arcade, next door to Two Gingers Coffee House. The shop is undergoing a makeover ahead of the Christmas period, with owners now recruiting for a Paragon store manager to join two recently added members of staff.
“The arcade is going to have all the magic of a Victorian shopping street, it will look beautiful and it’s the perfect home for us,” said Ed. “We’re very excited about the move and planning to make it look very festive as you’d expect from a traditional chocolate shop in the run-up to Christmas.”
White Rabbit Chocolatiers has won 17 Great Taste Awards for their truffles and hot drinks, including a Great Taste Top 50 Foods Award in 2014, and two awards from the Academy of Chocolate.
An official opening event will take place on Friday 17 November, with entertainment, giveaways, chocolate tasting and discounts. Quote Whiterabbit2 to enjoy 10 per cent off until 30 November.
Read more about the city's food industry here.
