Paul Gibson’s Hull and East Yorkshire History

Lost pubs of Hull — A to B

I get more requests for pictures and information relating to old Hull pubs than almost anything else I think. Many of the requests are from overseas, where information on old Hull pubs may not be as readily available as it is in England. So in response, this section of my site features an alphabetical list of some (not all) of Hull's lost pubs. It will be constructed in several sections over the next few months - so keep looking.

Some buildings that were once pubs still survive, now used for other purposes, but I concentrate here on those pubs that are completely lost, and the buildings are no longer there.

Some have appeared in books that I have produced over the years, including one with my great friend Graham Wilkinson - seen here with some other bloke. This was shortly after the release of our book Lost Pubs of Hull in 1999 (thanks to Terry Carrot of the Yorkshire Post for the photograph), and after this image was published Graham and I referred to each other as Stan and Ollie' in all our future e-mails - for obvious reasons.

So these pages are also for my late friend, mentor and drinking buddy Graham, wherever he may be; miss you mate.

Albany Hotel, Day Street

The Albany Hotel was first opened in January 1874, receiving a transferred licence from the closed Pilot Boy Tavern In Neptune Street. The enlargement of the railway network then taking place alongside the docks had required the demolition of the Pilot Boy. The Albany initially held beer-house licence but became a fully licensed freehold house when acquired by wine & spirit merchants Wilford & McBride, (later bought by the Hull Brewery Co). Locals knew the pub as ‘Crossey's’ before and after the Second World War, after John Cross, a popular licensee from the 1930s. The pub closed circa 1966 and was demolished during the large-scale redevelopment of the area. 

Albany Hotel, Waterworks Street

The Albany, originally the Blue Bell, was a very old Inn that had stood on the corner of Blue Bell Yard, off Waterworks Street (now Paragon Street), since the late 18th Century. The Blue Bell was re-named the Carlton Hotel in 1874, and was sold as part of deceased brewer William Bromby’s estate in 1888; shortly after, it was re-named again as the Albany Hotel c.1889, and rebuilt as seen in this c.1920 photograph. The pub closed on 8 May 1941 due to severe damage sustained during a Second World War air-raid, which also destroyed the Prudential Buildings and caused such widespread damage to the town centre. Its licence was held in suspension until 2 March 1953 when it was surrendered for the granting of a full licence for the Albert Hall, in Midland Street. 

At that time Waterworks Street was taken in as part of Paragon Street, and the present Queen's House shopping complex was built on the site in 1952-53.

Albert Dock Hotel, Commercial Road

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, opened the Albert Dock in July 1869. At the east end of the new dock was a road known as Castle Row, which was widened to accommodate the increase in trade and re-named Commercial Road. These alterations caused the demolition of the Dock Green School at the corner of Edward's Place, and the Albert Dock Hotel was built on the newly created corner, opening in 1870.

Latterly a Hull Brewery Co pub, it closed on 15 October 1959, and the long-vacant site was re-developed as part of the Kingston Retail Park in 1990.

Albert Hotel, Scott Street 

Originally known as the Sculcoates Arms, before the formation of the Hull Brewery Co in 1888, this pub was owned by brewers Gleadow & Dibb. Situated on the corner of Scott Street and Carr Street, the pub changed its name c.1870 to the Albert Hotel, possibly as a mark of respect to Prince Albert who died in 1861. The Albert Hotel closed on 17 December 1936 and was demolished shortly after. Its licence was transferred to the newly built Anchor Inn, on Southcoates Lane. 

Albert Hotel, Adelaide Street

The Albert Hotel received its first licence in 1851, following the closure of the old Bath Tavern on the Humber bank. The name was probably another reference to Prince Albert who opened the Great Exhibition of 1851. Its first licensee was Joseph Wharam, was also a brassfounder and gas-fitter. Living at the same address from 1863 was Robert Wharam, a brewer, and licensed victualler of the Myton Tavern in nearby Porter Street. Wharam had a small brewery to the rear of the Albert Hotel, previously belonging to Robert Hesp from 1851-63.

The Albert Hotel and brewery was bought by Gleadow, Dibb & Co in 1881, later becoming a Hull Brewery Co pub. The Albert Hotel closed on 22 August 1949, and its licence was transferred to a new pub called ‘The Bridges’ on the Sutton Road. 

Albion Hotel, Hedon Road 

The Albion Hotel stood on the corner of Hedon Road and Williamson Street, and was established c.1867 by Robert Davy, who was later listed there as 28 years old, in the 1871 Census. Initially a Gleadow & Dibb house, later Hull Brewery Co.

The Albion closed 9 May 1941 following severe air-raid damage, and the licence was held in suspension until 23 June 1960, when it was transferred to a new pub on the corner of Ings Road and the Holderness Road called The Crooked Billet.

Alexandra Inn, Humber Street 

The Alexandra Inn, originally known as the Humber Tavern, was situated on the north side of Humber Street – at the corner of Queen’s Alley – c.1805. Its name changed in the 1860s, possibly acknowledging the marriage of Princess Alexandra of Denmark to Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales in 1863.

The Alexandra closed 12 February 1927, and the site has remained vacant since demolition after the Second World War.

Alexandra Inn, William Street 

The Alexandra Inn was a typical small beer-house converted from a shop, on the north side of William Street. The first licensee was Edward Preston, who opened the beer-house c.1840 in what had been his coal merchant and grocers’ shop. The pub was acquired by John Hunt's brewery, of nearby Waverley Street, and the freehold was acquired by the Hull Brewery Co. in the 1890s.

The Alexandra Inn closed in 1947, and its licence was held in suspension until 1954, when it was surrendered for alterations and enlargements to the New York Hotel. 

Argyle Hotel, Anlaby Road

The site of the Argyle Hotel appears vacant on an 1848 plan of Hull, but a building is shown on an 1853 plan, which gives an approximate date for its construction. The hotel does not appear by name in a trade directory until 1858, the name Argyle coming from its close proximity to other named properties in the area with a Royal theme. Originally numbered as six and seven Victoria Terrace, it became No.223 following the re-numbering of the Anlaby Road in the late 1890s. The Argyle was also the base for a wine & spirit merchant, and was part of the Henry Wilson & Sons chain of premises. It was re-fronted and refurbished c.1930 in the mock-Tudor style when externally it was fitted with fashionable black and white painted, imitation half-timbering, whilst internally a rather stark look gave it an old world charm. It retained regular custom until its closure in 1967, and subsequent demolition for the construction of Rawling Way in the 1970s.

Barmston Hotel, Barmston Street

Barmston Street, originally known as Cotton Mill Street, was re-named c.1863 as a new estate of streets was laid out on land formerly occupied by the ‘Prince Albert Strawberry Gardens’ – shown on the 1853 Ordnance Survey plan of Hull.

The Barmston Inn was established on the corner of Barmston Street and Lincoln Street in 1870 when the first landlord was John Simpson Richardson, and was owned by William Glossop who had a brewery nearby. Latterly a Hull Brewery pub, it closed a century after opening ­– c.1970.

Barrel Tavern, Hill Street

The Barrel Tavern was a typical late Victorian beer-house, which like many of the period had only a relatively short life. Converted from a drysalters’ shop at No.32 Hill Street c.1878, George Rands was the first landlord. The large arch seen to the right led to the houses in Furniture Square or Place.

By 1916 the pub was referred to the Licensing (Compensation) Committee under the Licensing (Consolidation) Act 1910 and closed soon after. The owners objected to the closure and complained of the loss of revenue, and were paid £1130 in compensation.

Barrel Tavern, New George Street

Situated on the north side of the street, at the entrance to Nelson Square (visible in the photograph), was this small one roomed beer-house. Established in the 1820s, it was later enlarged to take in the property to the west.

The Barrel Tavern closed 17 April 1928 and its licence was transferred to the newly built Goodfellowship Inn, on the Cottingham Road.

Beverley Arms, Spencer Street 

Spencer Street was in an area of very low quality housing, to the west of Ferensway and was home to many immigrant communities. The pub was first mentioned in the 1820s as a beer-house at no.36 Spencer Street. The construction of Ferensway and the associated building works in the early 1930s required the demolition of much of the property in the area, including the old pub. The final victualler, was ex-wrestling and weightlifting champion Tommy Bilham who held the pub until its closure in 1932.

The Beverley Arms was situated on the west side of Spencer Street, a site now lost beneath the St Stephen’s development.

Black Swan, Princess Street-Dock Street 

Dock Street was named after Hull's first dock of 1778, later to become Queen’s Dock, and Queen’s Gardens from the 1930s.

The Black Swan stood at the corner of Princess Street (later Clifford Street) and Dock Street and was trading by the early years of the 19th Century. It is difficult to imagine the site of the Black Swan shown in this photograph dated 1 August 1935, as this area was redeveloped in the early 1930s and again in the 1980s for the construction of Freetown Way.

Latterly a Moors’ & Robson’s pub, it closed following bomb damage 7 May 1941, and the licence was suspended until December 1957. It was later transferred to a new pub on Ganstead Lane, Bilton, known as The Ganstead (now the Swiss Cottage). 

Blue Bell Inn, Thomas Street

A gardener named John Johnson, owned large Strawberry Gardens in this part of Drypool at the beginning of the 19th Century. Around 1815 he built the first Blue Bell on this site, originally known as Green Lane but now more familiar as Thomas Street. Thomas Street may have taken its name from Thomas ‘Big Tom’ Richardson, a sloop owner in nearby Church Street Drypool, who developed of the north end of the street in 1846. Although the pub was already established, it may have not have had the address of Thomas Street until the 1860s, when the south end was developed. The Blue Bell stood on the west side of the street opposite the entrance to Merrick Street and was one of ten pubs known as the Blue Bell in Hull at that time.

In 1894, following its purchase by Bass Ratcliffe & Gretton, it was rebuilt as shown in this photograph. The Blue Bell closed 28 November 1932, and its licence transferred to the new Five-Ways pub, on Boothferry Road.

Bowling Green Tavern, Waltham Street 

Waltham Street was named after the 18th Century mill-owner Thomas Waltham, owner of the Windmill that had stood on the land, known as Waltham Mill. On the south side of Waltham Street was a bowling green, which gave its name to Bowling Green Court, and in turn gave its name to the Bowling Green Tavern. Established c.1820, the tavern's entrances were both within the narrow court, which led through  to Little Albion Street and Davis Street.

By 1930 much of the area was being demolished following compulsory purchase, which resulted in the tavern's closure during the 1930s. Latterly a Hull Brewery pub with a full ale-house licence, it closed c.1930 when £4,100 was paid in compensation. The site is now under British Home Stores. 

Builders Hotel, Cogan Street 

Cogan Street was named after Alderman William Cogan, mayor in 1717 and 1736, and founder of a charity school in Salthouse Lane. The north end of the street was originally called Garden Cottage Row, and the southern end Love Lane. Love Lane was the first address of this pub from c.1817, when it was called the Robinson Crusoe, changing its name c.1860 to the Builders Hotel.

It was rebuilt in 1928 in similar style to King Edward VII, and the Malt Shovel etc., and closed in the mid-1960s and was soon demolished.

Thanks to John Wyles for this photograph.

Burns Head, Waterloo Street

The end of Charles Street and the start of Waterloo Street was the Cottingham Drain, hence this area being known as Drainside. On the right of this 1950s picture, is the Burn's Head pub, no.16 Richmond Terrace and 2 Waterloo Street, built c.1850 and mentioned by name as the Burn's Head in the census of that year. By 1890 it had expanded to include the former butchers shop next door and around 1920 the old beer-house front was lost when the more fashionable Mock-Tudor black and white frontage was added. The Burns Head originally held a beer-house only licence, and didn’t receive a full licence until 1961. The Burns Head was demolished in a compulsory purchase Blitz during 1972, which also saw the end of my family home and birthplace – just along Drainside.

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