A husband and wife who have reopened a popular East Yorkshire cocktail bar and restaurant say they have done so as it was ‘too good an opportunity to let pass by’.
Simon and Rebecca reopened the Birdcage on the corner of Ferriby Road and The Weir in Hessle over the weekend, having secured the lease for the premises through Garness Jones.
Having always had ambitions to run a family business together, they say they are confident it will be a success under their management and direction.
“We’ve always said we wanted to run a business together and this was just too good an opportunity to let pass by,” said Simon.
“We are really excited as we feel there is still a demand for good quality bars and restaurants, and that people still have the desire to go out and enjoy good food, drink and company.
“When we looked around the premises we quickly made a decision to retain the name and brand of Birdcage as the décor within the property is very striking and of the highest-quality, and we also very much like the Birdcage itself, which is a very Instagrammable aspect of the restaurant.”
Wide range of cocktails and tropical flavours on offer
Simon, a professional musician who initially came to Hull eight years ago to lecture in music at the University of Hull, is taking care of ‘front of house’ at the restaurant, whilst his wife Rebecca, who also has a career as a marketing professional, has been spreading the word on social media.
“We’re excited about bringing this restaurant back for people. We’ve had a very positive response and a great opening weekend,” said Rebecca.
“We offer a wide range of cocktails, and this is a big part of our offering and appeal as it is the ideal setting inside, and we have a lovely outdoor area for people to be able to enjoy the sun and a drink in throughout the summer.”
Despite the hospitality sector having faced challenging times since the pandemic, Simon says he is confident of success.
“We’ve taken over premises which are quite stunning in their décor and the ambiance they create, especially with the kitchen being open to the guests and the Birdcage itself, and we have a first-rate, almost brand new commercial kitchen,” he said.
“We are confident that the demand is there, and we are determined to make it that bit extra special to attract people. You’ve got to offer an enticing environment and something extra to attract people in, and then make sure they return, and we know we can do that.”
Premises proven to be ideal for hospitality
Paul White, Director of Garness Jones, handled the letting of the premises, and said: “Having a high-quality restaurant and bar in these premises is really important to this part of Hessle given its prominent position.
“It has been proven in the past that successful businesses can attract a great deal of customers to the area, particularly from the villages west of Hull.
“The Birdcage in its previous form was a popular venue and having spoken at length to Simon and Rebecca it is clear they have some exciting plans and are determined to make it a special place to drink and dine. We wish them well for their venture.”
The Birdcage is open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday from 12 noon -11-pm, with later midnight openings on Fridays and Saturdays.
