Benjamin Lopez and John Levesley have launched To Hull and Back Dating, a Hull-exclusive dating platform that offers discounts at local businesses to help people plan their dates
John Levesley (left) and Benjamin Lopez set up To Hull and Back Dating(Image: Submitted)
Two friends are trying to spark connections between singles in the city by launching their own Hull-based dating app. Benjamin Lopez and John Levesley aim to get single people together in an increasingly isolated dating scene – and are offering the chance to take advantage of exclusive discounts and deals at local businesses.
To Hull and Back Dating has only been up and running for a matter of days, but there are already more than 1,200 people using the website. The site is exclusively for residents of Hull and the surrounding area and recommends date spots around the city. There is an app version under development.
Benjamin, 38, grew up “all over” Hull thanks to his dad’s career owning pubs. He has already proven himself as an entrepreneur – he appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2020 and gained the help of Peter Jones for his photo restoration company. The company had offices in London and even restored photos of Queen Elizabeth II, gaining the attention of King Charles III. However, due to the rise of AI, the business no longer operates, and Benjamin returned to Hull to look for his next project.
Benjamin said: “We launched at the weekend and have 1,289 members already – it’s crazy. We are really excited for it. What’s different to other dating apps is we can recommend date spots. Restaurants are giving free drinks, some shops giving discounts. That’s just in the first few days so I think it’s really going to take off, it’s local and it’s really good for the community.
“Last year was a bit of a mental health break but I knew I was entrepreneurial and something good would come again. I came back to Hull and thought, mental health-wise and for the community of Hull, it’s a chance to give something back. I’m 38 and I’m still single.
“People struggle with mental health, and going out and meeting people. People are nervous to speak to people. I think it’s great to have that ice breaker of meeting on a new app.”
He teamed up with his friend and business partner, John, who is the founder of To Hull and Back, a social media company that champions the positive stories around the city. John, 37, said: “We wanted – finally – a good dating platform where the users really benefit. And as opposed to being a number on one of these large dating apps, we really value the people on there.
“So we’ve linked up with businesses to give people exclusive discounts, just by using the app alone. So not only is it mega affordable, in terms of a dating app, but it gives so much back to the users on there.
“And also going forward we believe strongly in also adding extra things as we go along. So if we get any recommendations, whatever people would like to be added on there, we’ll take it into consideration. And we will seriously consider adding it. We are constantly in dialogue with the users. We are interested and we’ve got a lot of things planned. It’s a swiping app just like the others but it’s a better platform, a better interface and it’s giving so much back.”
There are two tiers to the dating site. One is a free version, which allows users up to 10 likes per day, or profiles can be upgraded to premium, which allows voice notes, a “second look” at people users may not have matched with the first time around, and unlimited daily likes. The website describes the service as “Hull & East Yorkshire’s own dating app – from the Old Town and the Avenues to Beverley, Cottingham, Hessle and the surrounding villages. Every profile verified local: no time-wasters, no catfish. Just real people, properly near you.”
Visit hulldating.co.uk to create a profile or find out more.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .