FROM FRUITY TO BEAUTY AS WAREHOUSE GOES GLAM

A new salon offering a luxury combination of clinical and cosmetic beauty treatments has opened in a renovated warehouse in the heart of Hull’s Fruit Market.

Mother-daughter duo Julie and Zoe Omond joined forces to launch their exciting new venture having outgrown their current premises in Hull city centre.

In its spacious new location in 69 Humber Street, “GH&36” has been able to expand its extensive range of services and employ an additional two members of staff.

With six dedicated treatment rooms and an open-plan beauty hall with nail and makeup counters, customers can enjoy treatments including microblading; dermal fillers; laser tattoo removal; anti-wrinkle injections; professional makeup application; eyelash tinting and shaping; manicures; pedicures; and a selection of massage therapies.

Set across two levels, professional makeup artist and beautician Zoe is based on the ground floor, with clinical practitioner Julie taking the first floor.

The salon name comes from a combination of Zoe and Julie’s respective businesses, Glam House and Studio 36, which were based above the Toni & Guy hair salon in Paragon Street, Hull.

Julie said the salon was inspired by cosmopolitan beauty studios in cities like Manchester, Leeds and London and the unique vibe generated by the Fruit Market’s ever-growing creative community was a big draw.

She said: “We love the history and atmosphere of the Fruit Market area. As a florist years ago I used to get my flowers from down here, so it’s wonderful we’re now part of this new community, full of creative independent businesses.

“With more residents moving in to the Fruit Market, our salon will add to the offering of the area so it will become a one-stop-shop for people, with everything you need in one place.”

Zoe launched her own business just last year and will now employ nine staff at her new location. She said: “We’ve always been really interested in the Humber Street area. We had lunch at Ambiente Tapas last year and discussed the possibility of opening a place here. A year later we’ve been able to make our dream a reality.

“We love the modern and trend-setting studios in other big cities and really wanted to create something similar in Hull, so people didn’t have to travel so far for their beauty treatments.

“Although we’re sorry to leave our old premises, this move has enabled us to take on additional staff and increase the range of treatments and services we can offer our loyal customers.”

Julie’s fiancé Mark Chatwin, of Hull-based building and renovations company International Home Improvements, has converted the warehouse into a rustic glam house space, with painted bare brick walls, rustic timber fittings and industrial lighting. Ornate vintage mirrors and large flower displays decorate the walls, with black floors and ceilings giving the space a contemporary edge.

GH&36 is the sixth new, independent venture to open in Humber Street this year, testament to the ever-growing popularity of the waterfront district which is being transformed by Wykeland Beal, the regeneration company formed by commercial developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, as part of The Fruit Market LLP joint venture with Hull City Council.

Tom Watson, Development Surveyor for Wykeland, speaking on behalf of Wykeland Beal, said: “The opening of GH&36 adds yet another element to the Fruit Market lifestyle mix and, once again, we’re delighted to be able to support the growth of a local, independent business.

“Only a few years ago the area around Humber Street was virtually derelict. Now there’s a host of creative companies, fashion retailers, a grocery and convenience store, bridal boutique, gym, hair salon and now a beauty salon, as well as bars, restaurants and galleries.

“New residents are moving in all the time and are able to find all they need on their doorstep.”

Pictures by Jack Gray Photography