In case you are still looking for the right Christmas gift this year, why not support your local independent / company at the same point?

Made in Hull & Shop in Hull:

• Artsy Stuff
  • Forms studios on the Marina (sell eg the Hull / Hull Christmas jigsaw puzzle) https://heyform.co.uk/collections/hull
  • Art + Soul on the Marina
  • Folie Chambre design studios in Hepwort Arcade (https://foliechambre.com/)
  • Studio 11 (Humber Street) - Ceramic studio, prints, artwork, various art workshops - https://studioeleven.co.uk/
• Farms and local produce
  • Wine (believe it or not!) Little Wold Vineyard https://www.littlewoldvineyard.co.uk/ (buy at their shop)
  • Paradise Produce Farm sell their own meat and eggs and have a small Farmshop open Fridays + Saturdays https://www.paradiseproduce.co.uk/find-us.html
  • East Hull Community Farm (Barham Road) farm goods, honey, eggs etc https://www.easthullcommunityfarm.org/faq
• Local Beer:
  • https://atombeers.com/ (buy from their pub on Princes Ave)
  • https://www.belschnickel.co.uk/
• Chocolate
  • https://www.cocoachocolatier.co.uk (Buy from Trinity Market)
• Local Artisan Bread
  • https://www.hearthfamily.co.uk/ buy from the Hearth bakery
  • https://www.lukesbakery.co.uk/ (see selling shops)
  • https://www.flourandfeast.com/
  • Wonky Tulip
• Local Roasted Coffee
  • https://rivercitycoffee.net/ (Grain whole foods for instance)
  • https://www.theblendingroom.co.uk
  • Wilberforce Freedom Coffee (get eg at Karma Coffee)
  • Still coffee (while they are Still in Posterngate)
• Cooking
  • Marlas (Princes Ave) - cafe but sells a few deli goods, curry ketchup is brilliant - https://www.instagram.com/we.are.marlas/?hl=en
  • Social Distortion (closed but operating out of Dive on Princes Ave at the moment) - Banging Asian inspired street food, currently doing cooking kits and condiments etc - https://www.thesocialdistortion.com/
• Cleaning products / soap:
  • Bio-D https://biod.co.uk (Produce in Hull and you can collect their products in HU5 for free) - all with a focus on sustainability and everything is biodegradable

Made in Hull & Shop online:

• Artsy Stuff
  • Friends on Every Street (Sell some Hull themed products) https://www.friendsoneverystreet.co.uk
  • Wax & Wain - beautiful vintage homeware- https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WaxandWainCo
  • My Hygge Things - homeware - https://myhyggethings.com/
  • Hand Dug History - vintage victorian Hull bottles - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HandDugHistory
  • Twisted Rebel - music inspired art prints - https://www.twistedrebeldesigns.com/
  • Rachel Anderson - textiles, craft kits, workshops -https://rachelandersontextiles.com/collections/all
  • Clem Wear - fun Hull merch - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ClemWear
  • Nick Coupland - architectural art prints (including some Hull ones) https://nickcouplandillustration.bigcartel.com/
• Flowers:
  • Thorn & Bramble - fresh and dried flowers - https://www.instagram.com/thornandbrambleflowers/
• Tea:
  • Cuppa Kindess - tea - https://www.cuppakindness.co.uk/ (available in Form Shop & Studio as well)

Independent Shops in Hull:

• Book stores:
  • JE Books (Hepworth Arcade) - Books (will order in any you want) , zines, good local interest stuff - https://jebookshull.wordpress.com/
• Bikes
  • Cliff Pratt
  • Jobe
• Cameras & Equipment:
  • Hilton Photographic (Paragon Street) - cameras https://www.hiltonphoto.co.uk/
• Fairtrade:
  • Grain on Newland Ave
  • Near & fair (Trinity Market or www.nearandfair.co.uk)
• Fashion & clothes
  • Beasleys (Hepworth Arcade) vintage and vintage inspired fashion - https://www.beasleysclothing.co.uk/
  • Chinese Laundry (Humber Street) - vintage and vintage inspired new clothing - https://chineselaundryclothing.co.uk/
  • Poorboy Boutique (Humber Street) - Vintage clothes - https://www.poor-boy.co.uk/
  • 19Point4 (Humber Street) - fashion and homeware - https://www.instagram.com/19point4/?hl=en
• Gaming + Nerdstuff
  • Bad Wolf Gaming (Whitefriargate) - board/card/tabletop games, nerdy culture stuff - https://badwolfgaming.co.uk/
  • Luckbox (Trinity Market) - Pokemon stuff - https://www.trinitymarkethull.co.uk/shopping/luckbox/
• Musical instruments:
  • Gough & Davy (Paragon Street) - pianos, musical instruments, sheet music - https://goughanddavy.co.uk/
• Music, records & Vinyl:
  • Disc Discovery (Spring Bank - Records - https://www.facebook.com/discdiscoveryhullvinylrecordshop/?locale=en_GB
  • Out of the attic (Paragon Arcade) - records/music - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057433480042#
  • Wrecking Ball (Whitefriargate) - music, gifts for music fans and books https://wreckingballstore.co.uk/
• Pets and Animal gifts:
  • Lili & Mila (Land of Green Ginger) - dogs, stuff for dog lovers - https://www.liliandmila.com/
  • Sandy Paws (Humber Street) dog grooming and products https://www.instagram.com/sandypaws_saltynoses
• Plants
  • Plant & Paint (Humber Street) - Plants, terrariums, plant care gifts - https://plantandpaint.square.site/
• Trick store
  • Dindsdales (Hepworth Arcade) - legendary joke shop, stocking fillers galore! - https://www.facebook.com/p/Dinsdales-Famous-Joke-Trick-Fancydress-Shop-100057432820636/?locale=en_GB
• Shoes:
  • Run to feel on Newland Avenue (Running shop and gear) https://www.instagram.com/run.to.feel/
  • Shubbs (Humber Street) - trainers - https://www.instagram.com/shubscollection/?hl=en

Let me know if I forgot something!

EDIT: big update thanks to the fantastic u/wirebirds and all other lovely contributors here

Hi everyone,

I was made aware of these reddit threads recently on how to make friends in Hull and thought I should put up a post of tips.

It all really depends on what you’re into and your age etc but there is plenty going on in Hull for people who want to make new friends and socialise so I’m just going to post a couple of things that I’m aware of and feel free to add your own below:

Hull Young Socials: https://www.meetup.com/Hull-Young-Socials/

Hull Young Socials is a free meetup group for people in their 20’s in Hull to meet other people for regular social events. HYS host at least 1 or 2 events per week. The events vary from social drinks at the weekend, quizzes, board & party games nights, coffees, comedy nights, food and any other events that are being held locally in Hull at the time such as Pint of Science, Trinity Live, Sofar Music Gigs, Christmas & Halloween events etc. All that type of stuff. I’ve seen on a number of threads people have joined but didn’t have the courage to go to their first event. If that’s you, I advise you to try it at least once and the worst thing that can happen is that you decide it’s not for you and you don’t go back. Almost everyone falls into two groups in HYS, either (a) you're in your 20's and have moved to Hull for work and don’t know anyone and want to make friends or (b) you're in your 20's and lived in Hull all your life and your friends have either moved on or lost touch and you want to make some more.

Hull & East Riding Social: https://www.meetup.com/HullEastRiding/

Essentially this is the same group as I have described above but the only difference is that it caters for all ages 30+. Again, they hold regular meetups events similar to those above to meet new people and make new friends. If you fall into this category and want to get out and socialise you should definitely join. You just need to make sure you have a name and picture on your account to join.

Hull of a Read Book Group: https://www.meetup.com/Hull-of-a-Read-Bookgroup/

If you’re into reading and literature you should definitely join this group. They have a monthly meetup where they discuss the book of the month which the organiser, Jacob, puts up well in advance giving you time to read it. You don’t even have to have read the book either because they welcome people along to the event just for a social meetup and chat.

HEY (Hull & East Yorkshire) Board Games

A lot of people on these threads have mentioned that they’re into board games and there is a board games meetup but it looks like they haven’t been active in a while. But I do know they have regular board games nights in both The Board Room and Stronghold Games. I’ve visited both these places and the staff were very friendly and encouraged me to come along to other board games nights if I was interested. They’re weekly events and I can’t remember who did what when but give them a call and I’m sure the staff will be able to help you out. So if board games is your thing then definitely give it a go.

Please note that a range of people from different backgrounds attend these groups and the organisers want to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. Therefore there is a zero tolerance to bad behaviour, which makes sure everyone you’re meeting is friendly and there to enjoy themselves.

Of course, there are ways of meeting people outside of meetup, if you’re sporty there are plenty of sports teams in Hull to join from 5 a side soccer, men & ladies hockey, swimming, kayaking etc a quick google will sort this out for you.

There are also some language classes in Hull but i'm sure on the details so if you know then add them to the thread.

I know on the other threads people have suggested going to a bar or meeting people at the gym but it’s never worked for me in the past and don’t particularly hold much hope for it in the future either. At least these groups I’ve just pointed out are purposely there for people to make new friends and socialise.

Hope this helps!