Earl de Grey pub is now the city’s biggest jigsaw
GRADE TWO LISTED BUILDING DEMOLISHED BUT WILL BE PIECED BACK TOGETHER AS PART OF REGENERATION PROJECT
IT has stood on the same spot since the middle of the 19th century.
But now the historic Earl De Grey pub, or at least part of it, is on the move.
The famous facade of the grade two listed building has all but disappeared as part of demolition work with a difference at the site overlooking Castle Street in the city centre.
For the front of the pub will eventually be reconstructed 40 yards away in Waterhouse Lane as part of a new-build scheme, which will be linked to the refurbished Caste Street Chambers building next door.
Although it has been closed for more than a decade, the pub’s listed status has saved it from being consigned to the history books.
For now, the only visible sign of what was once a popular watering hole for generations of seafarers is a few remaining rows of distinctive green-coloured glazed bricks.
Along with the pub’s original ornate doorway and distinctive windows, they will eventually be put back together to re-create the facade on the new building.
The pub was originally known as the Junction Dock Tavern, reflecting its dockside setting.
It was re-named in 1864 after George Robinson, a former Hull MP, who had recently inherited the title of Earl de Grey.
The pub’s eye-catching facade is thought to have been added in 1913 as part of a refurbishment which also saw the addition of a full-width curving bar counter and new toilets.
In the 1970s it was left isolated when many nearby buildings were demolished as part of a road-widening scheme to create a new dual carriageway along Castle Street.
The current Castle Street upgrade scheme means the pub is now on the move as the site is required for the new route.
Under planning g approval granted last t year, its future use could d be as a restaurant, café, , bar or offices.
It will be physically y linked to Castle Street t Chambers by a new w glazed walkway.
The project is being g carried out by the e Hull-based Wykeland d group, the company y behind the Fruit Market t regeneration scheme.
Speaking ahead of the pub’s demolition, the firm’s development director Jonathan Stubbs said: “The Earl De Grey is one of Hull’s oldest pubs and we fully appreciate the responsibility we have to preserve this important part of the city’s rich heritage.”
The last part of the facade is expected to be dismantled over the next few weeks.
Building work on the site is scheduled to start in the New Year.