The pizza chain has moved from Princes Quay to the renovated building in Whitefriargate
The Pizza Express restaurant in Hull city centre has now moved to its new home in the revamped Burton House. The popular chain began serving up its pizzas and dough balls in the eye-catching art deco building in Whitefriargate on Sunday.
Its location in Princes Quay, around a minute’s walk away, has now “permanently closed”, according to the company’s website. It had been in the shopping centre since 2011 where it opened five years after the brand’s Lowgate venue shut.
Burton House underwent a major renovation by regeneration specialist Wykeland Group that was completed late last year. Central to the restoration of the building was the replacement of much of the impressive granite cladding.
It was sourced from the same quarry in Norway to match the geographical origin of the original stone, which dates back to the mid-1930s. The art deco windows were also replaced on the Grade II-listed structure during the £2.4m restoration.
The building, which opened back in 1936, was originally designed for the Burton menswear brand by company architect Henry Wilson.
Pizza Express says the new restaurant offers a “space designed to bring people together” that is “warm, vibrant and full of character”. It added: “Bold colours and ambient lighting set the scene for everything from laid-back lunches to date nights and family get-togethers.
“Scalloped rattan and art deco pendant lights glow overhead, while Bauhaus-inspired glass wall lamps line the room. Ceramic blue feather tiles sit alongside touches of filigree exposed brick, adding texture and unmistakable Pizza Express flair.”
There is also an Instagram-ready ‘pizza lovers’ neon sign offering “the perfect backdrop for your next visit”. Pizza Express Hull’s general manager, Chris Joseph, and the restaurant’s 24 dedicated team members are looking forward to welcoming pizza fans to the new restaurant.
Chris said: “We’re so excited to open our doors just in time for festive celebrations in our stunning new setting. Our team is ready to serve up our iconic Dough Balls and pizzas, and we know pizza fans are going to love our new restaurant. It’s the perfect destination, from catch-ups to celebrations and everything in between.”
Wykeland’s development director, Jonathan Stubbs, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Pizza Express to Burton House. Having the nation’s most iconic pizzeria brand as our first occupier realises our vision to bring the building back into use, to be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike.
“We’re sure Pizza Express will love their new home and customers will enjoy dining in one of the city’s most striking settings.”
The opening marks the chain’s tenth during its 60th anniversary year. It is “serving up the icons the brand is famed for” along with its Christmas menu including Dough Balls in Blankets, Three Cheese & Truffle Dough Balls as well as three new pizzas – the Cola-glazed Ham Hock Romana, Prawn Thermidor Romana and the Mushroom and Truffle Romana.
For a festive dessert, there is a Snowball Dough Ball Christmas Tree, the new Cracking Christmas Brownie, or a Baileys Affogato.
In addition to favourites and vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, children can enjoy three courses of grown-up food with the Piccolo menu, consisting of Dough Balls, pizza, pasta or salad, dessert and a Bambinoccino, all for £8.50.
Pizza Express, in Whitefriargate, Hull, is open seven days a week from 11.30am until 10pm though these hours will vary over the Christmas and New Year period.