The Hull Fishing Industry
Kingston upon Hull was for more than 150 years a major renowned fishing port and in the 1950s through to the mid 1970s St. Andrews Dock was recognized as the home of the world’s largest distant water fleet of deep sea trawlers.
ST ANDREWS DOCK 1966 AERIAL VIEW of ST ANDREWS DOCK
From the early 1950s through to the mid 1970s Hull’s distant water fleet developed from old pre-war coal burning side trawlers to crude oil, then diesel electric power culminating in the introduction of stern trawling factory vessels. Many of the older vessels were scrapped and, with the oil price increase in the 1960s, the scrapping of vessels accelerated. In 1975 St. Andrews Fish Dock was closed and operations moved back to Albert Dock, the original home of the fleet. In 1976 the last of the oil fuelled vessels, the Arctic Ranger, was withdrawn from service.
THE EVOLUTION OF TRAWLERS
1917 STEAM COALBURNER SIDEWINDER 1950 OIL FIRED STEAM SIDEWINDER
1956 HULL’S FIRST DIESEL ELECTRIC SIDEWINDER 1960 DIESEL SIDEWINDER
1961 DIESEL HULL’S FIRST STERN PART FREEZER TRAWLER 1971 DIESEL STERN TRAWLER FACTORY SHIP
After WW2, fishing the Arctic waters off the coasts of Norway, Iceland, Russia, Bear Island, Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland was prolific and, for the most part a lucrative business. The grounds around those coastlines had, due to wartime hostilities been closed to commercial fishing operations resulting in a massive natural increase in fish stocks. The area around Bear Island was an example when vessels from Hull and Grimsby were regularly returning to port with capacity catches.
To maximize carrying capacity the crews, when gutting the fish, beheaded them in order to allow greater edible weight of catch to be stowed in the fish hold. This practice created over supply and, as a consequence, affected fish prices on the fish markets at all ports with unsold fish being sent, at a pittance of their true cost, to the fish meal companies to be turned into animal feed. In later years the practice of returning fish heads to the sea was blamed for the pollution of the sea bed. After this practice was abandoned and as catches became less bountiful the stowage of the catch became more important, with crews being made more aware that quality rather than quantity was what mattered in order to reach the market in good condition.
A practice came into being whereby the earliest caught fish was stowed in ice on what was called ‘bulk shelves’ which were about three feet deep. The later caught fish which brought premium prices was laid out on ice in single layers of fish on one shelf. This part of the catch always looked in much better condition than bulked fish which would show the marks of ice and the weight of being stowed among other fish. Single layered shelved fish always had a sheen to them and brought a higher price. However the practice of shelving could not be done throughout the trip because as it was not encased in ice, as was bulked fish, it would not have remained fresh; also this method of stowage would have greatly reduced the carrying capacity of the fish hold.
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Territorial Fishing Limits
Over the years a number of factors resulted in fish stocks being depleted to such an extent that the nations controlling the Arctic grounds took action to conserve their commercial interests. This action included the extension of Territorial Fishing Limits around their coastlines.
What effect did the 200 mile limit have on the Humber fishing ports?
The three ‘Cod Wars’ between Britain and Iceland were the consequence of Iceland’s unilateral declaration of exclusion zones, eventually resulting in a 200 mile limit around Iceland’s coastline being imposed thereby expelling foreign vessels from thousands of square miles of traditional fishing grounds. Norway, Canada and other countries also adopted this policy/ban.
For the Humber ports of Hull and Grimsby, who were both extensively distant water operators, these actions were a disaster and signalled the beginning of the end for a number of other British ports; in addition, the fleets that sailed from Fleetwood and a smaller number of Scottish fleets were left with only home waters to fish. The overall effect was that thousands of people employed in the fishing industries, both in the catching and processing of fish, lost their livelihoods when many businesses folded, with hundreds of ships being laid up/scrapped.
A nationwide workforce of highly skilled experienced fishermen who had developed their knowledge over many years was no longer required and suffered redundancy. Many of the seamen, some of a mature age, were not able to adapt and never sailed again, whilst others found employment in different maritime fields or low paid manual shore work.
**For more information on the Cod Wars and a first hand account – see menu page ‘The Cod Wars’.
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What caused the decline in fish stocks worldwide?
A number of factors which contributed to the depletion of fish stocks were: the development of electronics – fish finding equipment such as sophisticated fish echo sounders, sonar and net sounders which created the ability to carry out mid water (pelagic) trawling instead of the traditional seabed (demersal ) trawling.
With demersal trawling, if the fish were detected more than four (4) or five (5) metres off the seabed, they evaded being caught as they were above the vertical opening of the trawl net. Once mid water trawls were introduced, the trawl’s vertical opening was much greater and could be positioned anywhere within the water depth, which allowed a greater volume of the water column to be fished giving the fish little chance of evading the net. This was made possible by the introduction of sonar, which increased detection of shoaling fish, and the net sounder which showed the Skipper at what depth his trawl was operating.
Mid water Pelagic Trawl
Seabed Demersal Trawl
Both diagrams on the right of page courtesy of: www2.gov.scot/Uploads/Document/Fishing%Gearpdf
The fact that the mid water trawls did not need to be dragged along the seabed made for less friction which in turn could result in a saving on fuel consumption/costs and allowed vessels to tow much larger trawls. A trawl in mid water was a lot less likely to sustain net damage and therefore increased its catching capability.
A scientific theory was that with the phenomena of global warming, sea temperatures had changed affecting the breeding of fish in the Arctic waters, in particular the traditional breeding grounds along the Norwegian Coast. However, while this was true for adult cod, they appear to be somewhat more conservative in their choice of water temperature when they spawn. During a comprehensive scientific experiment it was determined that all fish stocks studied, including cod, consistently sought out water that had a temperature of between one (1) and eight (8) degrees. This indicated that the egg and larvae stages of a cod’s life may constitute a particularly vulnerable time with regard to the effects of climate change.
These damaging factors were ignored in the pursuit of financial gain, and a large portion of the blame for today’s problems can be laid at the door of national authorities who governed the fishing areas and the fish stock management, over fishing, by trawler owners.
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Management of Hull’s Fishing Fleet
The owners of Hull’s Fishing Fleet were hard nosed business men whose ambition and financial acumen turned Hull into a highly successful world renowned fishing port. Their endeavour provided employment to a large percentage of the local workforce, either directly or indirectly. Their poor understanding of fish stock management was damaging to the industry and indirectly contributed to its eventual collapse.
Blatant disregard to the preservation of existing fish stocks was completely ignored when vessels from many northern countries fished seasonally along the coastline off Norway during a time when breeding was ongoing. The fish caught had millions of young fish within their bodies in the form of fish roe which were never allowed to develop into fully grown fish. Although the fish roe was saved and landed and sold as part of the catch, the profit realised from this product never compensated for the damaging loss of the potential replenishment of fish stocks.
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When West Hull changed.
In the 1940s and 50s the hub of the fishing industry was concentrated in West Hull and at its height the seagoing fleet brought great prosperity to the City of Hull in general, but Hessle Road in particular. The Road was a heavily populated residential area stretching from St. James Street / Walker Street in the east to Brighton Street / Carlton Street in the west. Many of these street had terraces off them which meant that they were densely populated rows of back to back housing. Bean Street was always quoted has being the most populated street in Hull. Gypsyville to the West and Porter Street to the East were basically extensions of Hessle Road. Much of West Hull suffered bomb damage during WW2 and it took many years for the area to be redeveloped.The resultant redevelopment plan meant huge swathes of street and houses were demolished and families were rehoused on new estates on the outer limits of the City, i.e Orchard Park, North Hull and the Longhill and Greatfield estates. Today these areas have been joined by Bransholme and Kingswood. This plan split up friends and neighbours who for many years had shared good and bad times together. Although relocation gave residents superior housing, it badly damaged the community spirit that was the essence of Hessle Road and the Fishing Community. Secondary to decimating the community spirit, places such as Orchard Park were never provided with facilities that could engage the young and allow the grown ups the leisure and social environment they had enjoyed in their old homes. This led to a feeling of isolation and created problems for the authorities, Orchard Park has never been updated resulting in the residents bearing resentment in what they see as abandonment, a feeling still felt by many to this day. The traders of Hessle Road including the taxi firms/individuals suffered badly with the movement of residents from the Hessle Road area and also when the Industry declined with many going out of business facing bankruptcy.
The Workforce.
The make up of the Fishing Community covered a variety of jobs/trades. The seagoing people and those who worked within the Industry onshore were integrated through their relatives, marriage and the workplace. It has often been said that for every one fisherman employed there were seven people employed ashore in fish associated work. Depending on how many vessels were landing the West Hull area was a hive of activity, with a vibrant, exciting environment each day of the working week . Monday in particular was generally a day of heavy fish landings, as many as ten trawlers may bring their catch to market landing as much as two hundred thousand stones (200,000) of fish. With this volume of produce St. Andrews fish dock and the surrounding area began their working day when at around 2.00 am in the morning bobbers started landing the catch. The sale of fish to the many fish merchants commenced at 7.00 am and after the sales, their staff, filterers, barrow lads, etc started the process to prepare and box the fish prior to its transportation by road and rail to the many locations throughout the U.K. The fish merchants staff usually finished around 5.00 pm unless they had to catch the late evening train. The Easter period was always exceptionally busy, sometimes trawlers were landed, pulled from the market and another vessel would be berthed ready to land her catch. Ten or twelve vessels could be landed on these occasions with fish landings totalling 250, 000 stones. Most types of fish were landed and weighed off by the bobbers into 10 stone aluminium containers called kits. When fish landings began to decline six days a week was discontinued and reduced to five days, but again this was determined by how many vessels arrived.
In the 1960’s there were as many as one hundred and fifty (150) deep sea distant water trawlers based at St. Andrews Fish Dock. Each vessel had a crew of at least twenty (20) men and there was always a surplus of crewmen ashore at any time. The number of men on the seagoing register was approximately three and a half thousand (3,500). It is not difficult to see the disastrous economic effect this had on the businesses and workforce of the City when the industry declined and eventually imploded as a result of Iceland, Norway and other countries extending their fishing limits thereby excluding British vessels from traditional fishing grounds.. The loss of much of the seagoing personnel was not the only workforce to suffer. The many fish merchants and processing companies employed a large number of employees who were within a very short period of time, unemployed. With such a large number of unemployed seeking work at the same time it was very difficult to find another job. Some of the newly unemployed were skilled in a role that had no similar opportunity in the City, others were labourers but also suffered the same lack of opportunity. Workers who had been employed in the fishing industry had in general earned a reasonable standard of living so to become unemployed in such a short time with very little time to adjust meant many experienced financial difficulties with things such as mortgages, rents and facility bills, i.e. gas, electric, and rates. A percentage of the sea going men moved to the oil offshore fleets, which although and easier workload, paid less. A few even emigrated and went to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
There was also a contingent that found employment, again in oil exploration, in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Emirates, these locations being very popular, in the main because of a more lucrative pay packet and reduced tax liabilities. Most of these countries had strict religious Islamic rules which had to be adhered to including the law banning alcohol, one law that did not go down well with ex-fishermen.
A few shore based fish processing companies struggled on managing a supply of imported and overland fish supplies and are still active in the City to this day. Firms such as Simpson’s Fish, Smales Fish, both still located off Hessle Road.
The most recent resurrection of fish landing in the port has come via the Hull registered ultra modern factory vessel ‘KIrkella’ H7 owned by UK. Fisheries. This state of the art fishing vessel brings a regular supply of One Thousand Two Hundred (1,200) tons of fish fillets to market approximately every eight/ten weeks. This product is processed onboard and landed ready for distribution to sales outlets locally and throughout the Country. The management of the product and fish stocks is rigorous and second to none in product quality and sustainability of the fishing grounds. The vessel design and specifications are first class, with working and leisure facilities making the crews environment both safe and enjoyable as one could wish for. The off duty activities include a gymnasium, sauna, cinema and berths that are fitted with telephones, television and internet. This environment plus the work schedule on offer makes the opportunities to become a crew member of ‘Kirkella’ very limited. The owners basically employ two (2) crews who operate one trip on and one trip off. Their daily work shift is eight hours on and eight hours off, a very different arrangement from the days of the side trawlers when the deck crew worked eighteen hours on and six hours off during the period the vessel was fishing. The operations bridge from which the Skipper oversees and carries out the hauling & shooting of the trawl gear and the skillful role of locating, catching and bringing onboard the catch is fitted out with the highest and most up to date technological equipment. It appears more sophisticated than the equipment used at Houston Control when landing men on the fifty years ago. The men who man these controls, the Skipper, and the Mate (when the Skipper is sleeping) are highly skilled fishermen who have not only mastered the new technology but have an instinct and lifelong knowledge for understanding how and where to catch fish. This instinct is a legacy from the days when the fisherman hunted their ‘prey’ using the barest of electronics, i.e echo sounding fish finders to search the water depths and a radar to accurately fix their position. They then over the years built up detailed records for future reference. Location, season, date, water depth, night or day fishing, sea and air temperature and weather conditions were some of the conditions that were meticulously logged both mentally and in written form.
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Some Memories of Hessle Road – Post World War 2 (1954)
Most people would accept that Hessle Road began at the junction of Porter Street/Waverley Street/St. James Street and Walker Street From this meeting of four residential streets Hessle Road ran to the west and was the main shopping/residential area of West Hull. The Vauxhall public house No 1 Hessle Road still stands today open to the public, on the corner of St. James Street. Opposite it on the corner which formed one side of Waverley Street was a cycle sales and repair shop called Nobby Clarkes. In later years this site was occupied by the Council owned restaurant ‘Galatea’.
SOUTH SIDE OF HESSLE ROAD – Odd numbers.
On the South side of Hessle Road running from no.1. the Vauxhall, was a Co-op butchery, bakery and confectioners at no. 5-7, whilst no. 9-11 was shared by Stan Gresswell a cycle, radio and electrical dealer, and Bo’ness Iron Co. Ltd, general ironfounders. these firms were close to Commerce Lane, the businesses from there continued to Alfred Street which included Mallory’s at no.15-17-19 hardware merchants and dry saltery, adjacent at no.23 was F.W. Taylor sweets and tobacconist followed by J. Hy. Longbottom coal merchants ( which sported an excellent model train in the window). Close to the east corner of Alfred Street at 31-33-35 was cycle shops owned by L.C. Goodlife and S. Spencer, whilst on the west corner stood the Rose Tavern Hull Brewery Public House. Further along this block to the next intersection,which was Ropery Street was a butcher George.T. Bottrill, who was a staunch member of St. John Ambulance Service, Mulchinocks a watch maker and jeweller, Brookband saddlery, J.A. Dewar cycle dealer, Joshua Stones, fireplace manufacturer, P & R Chester electrical contractor and joiners, Wilf Barker gent’s hairdresser, Hockney fruit, flowers and canned foods, the last retail business was a Co-operative Store. which had a car park space adjacent to a small Jewish Cemetery which in turn adjoined a public house the Alexandra Hotel. The Alexandra was for many years in th 2000’s owned and run by Tony Dunbar and his aprtner Ernie accompanied by their parrot Sparky. The bird had a colourful vocabulary and on one occasion when the Archbishop of York visited, Sparky had to be moved to the back room. Both the cemetery and public house are there to this day. Moving across to the west corner of Ropery Street found Silver’s, a confectioner & tobacconist, which as a youngster I visited to buy banana spilt toffee, which was still on ration and the only shop in the area to sell it. Next door was a ‘smelly’ shop, W. Pedder a tripe dresser; many people ate tripe and onions a popular dish, which because meat was very restricted due to rationing helped to feed the family. F. E.Webber the footwear repairer had his business at no.75 Hessle Road, it adjoined the corner shop Gilbert Street fisheries which my mother always insisted we used. On the opposite site of this very short street was the The Foundry Arms, a Moors & Robson public house, the exterior of which was attractively decorated with a green and white tiled fascia.. Along this block was Lyzabeth’s sweets and tobacconist and on the east corner of Neptune Street stood a branch of the Hull Savings Bank.
Across Neptune Street was no.91 The Lily Hotel, a Henry Wilson public house, between the Lily and R & L Taylors, glass, china, and hardware was a small men’s public convenience. At 97-99 Hessle Road was the Smith & Nephew Welfare & Personnel Dept, Men’s Club. The last shop on this block was Gordon Roach, fishmonger, my brother as a teenager used to buy crab claws from there. I remember sometime after the war, at the rear of this shop, an unexploded bomb was blown up under control by an Army disposal team)
The next street was Tadman Street down which I spent much of my childhood and have many happy memories. I can still recall most of the families that lived down there at that time. It was also home to Smith & Nephew which employed a large workforce with many women working to produce bandages, elastoplasts and dressings. (since that time the Company has grown and now the factory occupies the complete area from one side of Ropery Street, Neptune Street and the whole of Tadman Street.) One company I have wartime images of is Barnabas cellulosers next to S & N within whose building we often sheltered during air raids. As a youngster I remember me and my mates playing on the large wrapped 4 x 4 cube shaped bags of cotton wool. An antic for which we were frequently chased by the factory foreman. I also remember the bad winter of 1947 when there was 4/5 foot snow drifts all down the roads and streets. We made a load of snowballs and ‘attacked’ the girls as the were leaving, harmless fun but not popular with the workers. The successful business of Smith & Nephew led to expansion and as a result we were rehoused in a small housing area on the corner of North Boulevard and Newton Street.
On the west corner of Tadman Street was no.113 L.A. Tate, wholesale and retail tobacconist. The owner was an ex-policeman, a formidable sized man who more than once chased, would be shoplifters trying to steal cigarettes. I seem to remember a derelict (bombed) shop which I think was Dinsdales, joke and novelty shop. At 121 -123 was Mason’s (Clothiers) Ltd, men and boys outfitters. My mother used to clothe me at this establishment twice yearly, Grey Trousers, Navy Blue Jacket, white shirt, navy blue pullover, and overcoat and a red cap which spent more time in my pocket than on my head. Re-Vi-Ve dyers and dry cleaners were at 125 adjacent to G. Barnes the pork butcher, his saveloys were tasty and very popular. the last premises in the block on the corner of Daltry Street no.129-133 was taken up by Holders, television, radio and musical instrument dealer.
On the west corner of Daltry Street was Lion Clothing Co. Ltd, outfitters adjoining was Pashleys a ladies hairdresser followed by a fried fish shop, Coronation Fisheries, which my Mother always told us not to go to as they were not very good fryers. Eggleton cobblers, where I had many a pair of shoes repaired due to constantly kicking a ball about. The taxi office, Nippy Cars, Melville second hand dealer, and Selles Chemist. There was an electrical shop owned by Mark Fields, whose had two sons, one of whom, Alan, attended Daltry Street school and was in the same class as me. Sammy Wolfe, men’s barber who was a popular and flambuoyant ginger haired character. The main Hessle Road Post Office was situated on the corner of Madeley Street, a street which was famous for the public swimming baths which also offered wresting, boxing, dances, skating facilities. As a youngster we were into the wrestling which was Promoted by Doug Relewysko for a number of years. He brought many famous/infamous names to the venue, people such as the Pye brothers Jack and Harry who were noted for their dubious tactics in the ring. The many favourites included Harry Fields, The Farmers Boy, Mike Marino, Le Ghoul, the masked man, Jackie Pallo and Les Kellett (The Fox) Masambula (Africa’s Ambassador of Wrestling) Big John Lees (Mr Adonis) and Bert Royal to name a few. On occasions the ‘real’ entertainment was provided by the regular referee, Scotty Ambrose who weighed about 7 stone wet through and spent many a bout wedged in between two heavy weights. His party piece was to ‘lose’ his temper with them and start fighting with them. He was a funny entertaining man. Quite often as youngster we could not afford the entrance fee so we hung around the doorway and when there was only a couple of fights left on the card, the doorman would let us in for free.
The west side of Madely Street street housed The City Temple, Elim Four-square Gospel Church, to which myself and some of my schoolmates attended the Sunday School sessions. This building still stands (derelict) today. Sissons newsagent and tobacconist came next, the shop still sells the same products along with sweets, etc. H. Thompson, Gents hairdresser came next I often used this barber as a boy, rather than Sammy Wolff. Next door was one of my favourite shops H. Cheetham the baker and confectioner, I can still imagine the smell of their freshly baked bread. The bakery was at the rear of the shop down an archway and just before Christmas each year families used to mix their own Christmas cakes and puddings and take them to Cheethams to be baked. At the other side of the archway was the premises of E.F. Westoby, joiner, builder and strangely enough undertaker. The surgery of Doctor.G.D. McIver, physician was next door, a well known, popular and respected local medical man. The West Hull Book Shop, books and magazine retailer adjoined the doctors followed by the Snack Bar a cafe and tobacconists. Another branch of the tripe family business of A. Pedder, tripe dresser was followed by James Waterworth, beer off-licence. I remember at some time this shop changing hands as a school mate and his sister of the Scott family living there.
The Sizer-Simpson Repertory Theatre occupied the west corner of Strickland Street. It was run by Stella Sizer-Simpson the wife of a very well respected lecturer, Peter Harvey who taught at the Nautical College in North Boulevard. Peter Harvey was credited with schooling many local men through their examinations for the Skippers/Mates licence to serve in the fishing fleet. E. Ferraby a game and poultry dealer was the next premises, one as a youngster I will always remember with some trepidation for the dead rabbits, Chickens, Ducks, etc, hung from hooks across the open shop front. Blenkins a ladies and gents hairdressing salon was next followed by W.H. Ellyard Ltd, undertakers at no. 187 adjoining to that at no. 187a was West Hull Garage (W.H. Ellyard) which in addition to hiring funeral vehicles, including a hearse, hired everyday taxis. As a youngster I was often sent by one of my seagoing brother-in-laws to bring a taxi back to my mothers house when they were taking one of my sisters out. Between Ellyards and Walcott Street were a number of premises, W.H. Jennings, family butchers, Modern Beauty Shops Ltd, ladies hairdresser, W.R. Jordan, family butcher, Swanborough, baker and confectioner, Watson’s tobacconist and confectioner, Kingston Supply Stores, outfitters, James Wilson & Sons, (wholesale) grocer and provision merchants, Samuel Batte, wholesale potato merchants, Murielle, gowns and coats, New Carlton (recreation) Club, Percy’s, gents hairdressing saloon, D & E Holmes, china & earthenware (wholesale & retail), Cath Bayford, ladies hairdresser, C.A. Shepherd, newsagent & tobacconist.
On the west corner of Walcott Street was the Midland Bank, next to Arthur’s ‘Oyster Bar & Tea Bar’ a gathering place for teenagers and often the scene of verbal disputes leading to a modest punch-up. The office of West Dock taxis was next door followed by H. Moses & Sons Ltd, undertakers. The Port of Hull Society’s Sailors and Fishermen’s Bethel, the Victoria Hall and St. Barnabas Parish Church completed the block up to South Boulevard. The Bethel being run at one time by Tom & Ethel Chappell and the church by Rev James Elliot respectively. Both men were credited with providing welfare and comfort to the people of Hessle Road in times of need and especially in the event of loss within the fishing fleet. One of the earliest disasters after WW2 occurred in 1955 with the loss of the Hull trawlers, Lorella & Roderigo when the Chappell’s had to visit the families of 40 lost crewmen to break the tragic news and console them. The new medical centre on Hessle Road stretching between Wassand & Walcott Street is named after Thomas Chappell and James Elliot’s in recognition of their work within the West Hull community.
On the west side of South Boulevard was Barclays Bank Ltd, outside of which on the wide pavement was an underground ladies public convenience. The block up to Eton Street housed, Morgan’s Garage & taxi hire service, followed by Boulevard Fruit Stores which always had the fruit in particular apples on show in a pyramid shape, one day on passing the shop when leaving school one of my mates decided to nick an apple, unfortunately the one he grabbed was from the bottom of the pile causing the rest to spill out onto the pavement and road, we took a different route to and from school for a while. B. Harrison, newsagent and tobacconist and R. Jacklin, Boulevard Fisheries, fishmonger came after the fruitier. The next six premises leading up to Eton Street included, Wm. Johnson, dental technician, Marcus Bishop, men outfitters, used by many young fishermen, K. M Chow, Chinese Laundry, J.F. Hodgson Ltd, footwear repairer, which included clogs worn by many workers off the docks, Etonian Fisheries, fish & chip fryer and Eton House, children’s outfitters were the final two shops prior to Eton Street.
On the west side of Eton Street stood the imposing building housing the Yorkshire Penny Bank Ltd, next to A. Newton, radio engineer, whose premises was adjacent to C. Rosen & Sons Ltd, shoe manufacturers whose main workforce was female, many were girlfriends of young fishermen. Prince’s Gowns (Hull) Ltd, ladies gowns was the next business followed by Hygenic Steam Pressing Company Ltd, dyers and cleaners, with the adjoining photographic shop of West Dock studios. The last two shops prior to Harrow Street were Curtis fish & chip shop, who were popular due to the quality of their frying, followed by Whitesides, pet and aquaria requisites.
Crossing to the west side of Harrow Street was the pawnbrokers Owen & Robinson who was also a clothier. Bennetts wallpaper, crockery and mirrors operated from the next shop followed by Bottomley and Gilletts Ltd sweets and tobacco, and then the very popular premises of The Clothing House ladies and gents outfitters. This was a outlet that had a large following especially from within the fishing community. Credit through the use of ‘club cheques’ was a well used method of payment, long before the introduction of debit/credit cards and Clothing House had a successful business based a lot on this method of payment. W.C. Collins ophthalmic & dispensing opticians along with T.J. Windas funeral director, came next to the impressive Langham Theatre (cinema). This cinema was a beautifully constructed building with lots of features. It even boasted a Commissioner who was impressively dressed in uniform. He greeted cinema goers on arrival and marshalled the queues waiting outside to gain entry. The ‘crush hall’ was an extensive area after the reception and was the waiting space for people waiting to gain entry. In those days there was at most times two houses ( the film was shown twice in one night) and people waiting for second house queued in this area. It had a marble type floor, polished wood panelling around the sides with framed photographs of famous film stars, a large set of stairs led up to a lift and stairways each side which led to the circle and upper circle seating (the more expensive seating. The cinema downstairs on the interior ground floor was of a large capacity and sported an organ and accompanying organist on occasions. As a youth and on becoming a young man I spent many happy hours viewing the best Hollywood and the British cinematic Industry had to offer. Many young men spent their spare money in visiting the Langham to take their girlfriends and sit on or near the back row when in the early stages of courting. At that time and at my age it was not always possible to gain admission to see a film due to the strict regulations. If a film carried an A rating you had to be accompanied by an adult and often youngsters would wait outside and ask adults, (on occasions strangers), to take them inside with them. It is difficult to imagine in today’s way of life how this could be allowed. After the cinema was The Dainty Shop, confectioners and tobacconist who did a good trade when people were outside waiting to get in the cinema. Next was The West Hull, watchmaker and jeweller’s followed by Waistell & Co, men’s outfitters who was sited on the east corner of West Dock Avenue directly opposite the famous fisherman’s watering hole, The Star & Garter, more commonly known as Rayners.
Rayners carried the name of a long ago licensee and was only ever referred to by that name. Over the years it had a number of managers and for most of that time was a very successful business in the main down to the patronage of those people who were employed within the fishing industry both onshore and at sea. It was in close proximity to St. Andrews Dock (the old fish dock) and was for many trawlermen it was a stopping off place after settling day or for a quick pint when out of work. It was also very popular with the bobbers, who work over night and finished in the morning allowing them to call in prior to going home to bed. It’s popularity was also enhanced by it’s position on Hessle Road where it was virtually at the hub of the fishing community. Other places to drink and enjoy entertainment were close to the Rayners and including the St. Andrews Club opposite and the Dee Street Club across the road. As with many drinking venues the occasional dispute occurred and Rayners was no exception with any resulting fisticuffs often taking place in the school yard down West Dock Avenue. With the decline of the fishing industry Rayners suffered the same as many businesses, especially public houses, and now although still offering a good pint of beer, is a shadow of it’s former self. The fishermen who were regular customers have either passed on or, are at an age when they, like many people do nowadays, have a drink at home. Proceeding west and next to the Rayners was Hanneman’s pork butchers, a popular shop which sold many tasty food items, sausages and saveloys to name two. Feldman & Harris, dry cleaners and tailors occupied the next premises followed by Kay’s sweets, tobacco and fancy goods retailers adjoining Kingston(Yorkshire) Leather Co. Ltd, cobblers merchants. Direct Clothing Stores tailors and outfitters and a Bendix Launderette Self- Service Laundry followed on the east side of Subway Street.
On the west side of Subway Street was the Subway Service Station, petrol & garage. Gallons Ltd grocer and provisions merchant were housed next door followed by Victoria, fish and chip frier. Leading up to Rugby Street was John Gibson a very popular gents hairdresser, Mark Bennett, glazier and sanitary engineer, Bentleys, dyers and cleaners, W.E. Jones, photographer, Florence, ladies hairdresser, Ellis & Co, crockery & fancy goods, handbags & suitcases. On the east corner of Rugby Street completing the block was the outfitters, The Premier Store.
Starting at he west corner was four departments of the Hull Co-operative Society Ltd. At no.363-365 was the grocery and provision merchants, no. 367 housed the family butchery, 369-371 was the drapers outfitters, boots & shoes, and finally the Drug Store (Chemist). A variety of businesses followed up to Flinton Street, E. Beharrell, newsagent & staioner, A. Grimwood, coal & coke merchant, Excelsior Fisheries, fish & chip frier, Phil Coupland, carpets & linos, next door at no. 383-385 was Storey’s, cycle dealer, followed by B. Bernhardt, wholesale grocer, tobacco & general merchant, Tom Hollome another very popular gents hairdresser, adjacent to Henry D. Banks, confectioner & tobacconist. The premises adjoining was the home of D & E Gilman, general Stores & egg merchant, next to Newsom’s bakery, and the Labour Party Committee Meeting Rooms. The following shops were situated prior to Gillett Street, Johnson’s Taxi Hire Service, Direct Decorations Ltd, decorators supplies, Newell’s fruitiers, Robinson’s tripe and pickles, Louis Moseson’s buy, sell, or exchange mart, Cleveland’s toys, novelties, music & records, Atkinson’s fruitiers, Braithwaites, footwear repairer, with Darleys/Southall’s wine & spirits off-licence on the east corner of Gillett Street. Cleveland’s was very popular with the fishing fraternity for vinyl records and most things to do with music. The Cleveland family have performed for many years with their Band appearing over a wide range of venues playing their ‘Big Band’ music.
Gillett Street (nicknamed Razor Blade Alley) was one of the most densely populated streets on Hessle Road due to the type of housing which on the whole consisted of back to back terraced houses and side terraces off the main street. It was however one of most sociable of communities with everyone being of the same hard working class and with a sociability for helping each other.
The west side of Gillett Street started with Alf Dawson, familiy & shipping butcher on the corner, next to A.G. Clark, children’s outfitters. The next premises was that of a really popular shopkeeper, Ingilby’s fruitier & greengrocer who sold excellent produce always with a friendly manner and politeness to his customers. The following shops fronted Hessle Road up to the corner of Havelock Street. J.H. Berridge, newsagents & staioners, Carlines, grocer, baker & confectioner, Roach’s fishmonger & poultry dealer, Kress & Wagner, pork butchers, J.J.N. Mackman Ltd, baker & confectioners, Turner & Kitt, toys & fancy goods, J. Finestein & Son, tailor, at no. 439 was Turner & Kitt, fancy goods, Elletson’s, drapers and children’s outfitters, and at no. 433 on the east corner of Havelock Street was Dr. O.G. Prosser, physician.
At no. 477 on the west corner of Havelock Street right up to Brighton Street was the following premises, Lamb’s, Gents and children’s hairdresser followed by Jones, Beverage Supply Co. Ltd, wines, spirits & beverages, West & Barnett, florists and fruitiers, with the surgery of Dr. L.I. Hardy, physician. At no. 501-503 was cycle & pram dealer, F. Tiplady & Son, ( this shop probably sold more prams than any other, especially to the fishing fraternity) Standard, dyers & cleaners, F. Allon, glass & plumbers sundries, De Lor, ladies dresses, J. H. Farrel & Son Ltd wholesale fish merchants, Walter Parker, newsagent & stationer, Bridgeman’s footwear repairer, Bargain Clothing Shop, outfitters, Collins Book Exchange, book & magazine dealer, Maltby’s Corn Stores, seeds & pet requisites, C. C. Johnson, family butcher, Brown’s clog makers and outfitters, A. Giles, fish, rabbit & poultry, A. Chantry, cycle dealer, A. Chapman & Sons, taxi & wedding cars,E.L. Parker, newsagent & toys, ( in the days before fireworks were available in almost all shops, Parkers always seemed to have them on stock for Bonfire Night, especially bangers) at no. 549 was Eureka Fisheries, fish & chip frier which took up the east corner of Brighton Street. Hessle Road terminated at the Dairycoates Railway Crossing with the following businesses between it and Brighton Street. Chas. D. Pullman & Son, printers,’Bobs’ The Smoker’s Mecca, tobacconists, Lepicks, leathercraft products and materials, William Rosenberg, pawnbroker and outfitter, Dairycoates Parish Church.
NORTH SIDE OF HESSLE ROAD
On the north side of the junction of Hessle Road and Walker Street formed a corner which housed Rowlands Chemist and Rowlands travel and leather goods. A number of small shops were based on the north side up to Villa Place a narrow lane with houses that lead to a school of the same name. These premises included Gilboys pet and aviary requisites, Mrs. Bennet, a wardrobe dealer and Darley’s the fishmonger The next street along from Villa Place was Campbell Street the home of Riley’s Dairies and popular milk factory.This stretch was taken up by Hutchinson, grocer and confectioner with a cafe. Continuing to the west saw Alma Marshall, ladies hairdresser, Robinsons, newsagent and tobacconist, Fletchers family buchers, Longbottoms coal and coke merchants, Booth’s greengrocer and fruitier, and at 30 32a three Corporation establishments, Waverley restaurant, the Central Purchasing Dept, Corporation Restaurants Head Office. Mason’s buy an sell exchange and mart, Liptons grocery and provisions merchant and Gordon Fraser, chemist completed the buildings up to Campbell Street.
Going west from Campbell Street were a number of shops and a pub.The shops consisted of Woodhead confectioner and tobacconist, and at no.52 and 54 Rileys Dairies bakers and confectioners and Riley’s Northern Dairies pork butchers adjoining Westerbys a family butcher. followed by the Sheffield Arms an Hull Brewery Public House, another watering hole favoured by many fishermen. Completing this block was the Modern Dress Agency, gowns for sale and hire, Wilson family butcher and on the corner of Staniforth Place was Meadow Dairy Co. Ltd, a deli type grocers and provisions merchant, one of the shops that at that time sold butter and cheese products cut from large blocks as you requested and wrapped in it grease proof paper. Staniforth Place was a narrow badly bomb damage street which housed a popular social club, the Adelaide Club. Local Hessle Road character Sammy Walsam was a popular compere with a good voice who entertained on social evenings.
Just along from the corner going west was a fruit and vegetable shop owned by Ken Heseltine which was close to one of the most famous shops in West Hull, Winckles Pieshop. The pies produced from this shop were legendary and people today recall how tasty their product was. Their pies had a unique taste and the pastry texture was crisp but dissolved in the mouth on contact It was a small establishment which did a take away service but you could also eat inside in very limited numbers. The meat pies were the most popular, but they also did fruit pie and custard. A dinner from Winckles was a treat we always looked forward to. The business was for many years run by a local family by the name of Bishoprick, a male family member in later years was a cook on trawlers in the Hull fishing fleet. Also along this block on the north side from Staniforth Place was Arthur Boulton,, family butcher, a shoe shop (Stead & Simpson?) As youngsters me and my mates once witnessed a man climbing back over the wall from the shoe shop with a sack full of what obviously were shoes. When the police came to investigate the burglary we had to make statements about the man’s appearance. Not sure if it helped catch him, we were never contacted again. Going west along this block was no.92 Levitts a ladies outfitters, J.J.N. Mackman bakers and confectioners and Winterburns confectioner and tobacconist.
The next intersection was a small grove called Vauxhall Grove with a photographers W.H. Duncan and a drapers at no.102 on the west corner. Regent Street came next which was the location of the famous public wash house used by many families prior to the introduction of the household automatic washing. This facility was subject to great demand and people were forced to book time slots to use the washers, dryers, etc. As a youngster I along with a couple of friends would get up at around five am to queue and pre-book a boiler for our Mothers. The womenfolk who frequented this facility were hardworking, industrious and vocal. It was said that all gossip and rumours originated from the wash house. If someone became involved in a dubious incident it was said they would become ‘ the talk of wash house’.
Whilst queuing one morning I remember local boxer Peter Morrison walking past on his way from the railway station after a bout in London in which he had taken a bit of a beating, but he passed cheerful comments to the many people he knew as he went on his way. Peter was employed for many years as bobber on the fish market and was always a friendly and sociable man, I had the privilege many years later to live next door but one from him and his wife Dorathy and daughter Diane. Dot for many years served the public food and drink in Darley’s the popular pub and eating place on Boothferry Road. A salt of the earth family.
On the west side of Regent Street was Wilkinson’s family butcher and Nancy’s Laldies hairdresser next door to Izzy Turner the pawnbroker occupying the corner of Wellesley Avenue, a small terraced area, with Smith’s newsagents on the other. The newsagents was my source of boys comics, the Hotspur, Rover, Wizard and Adventure providing boyhood heroes such as ‘Limp along Leslie’ Roy of the Rovers. the Cannonball Kid, Alf Tupper, the Tough of the Track, Red Circle a school story.etc. This block leading to Bean street housed W.Fish a greengrocers shop, later to become Laughton’s, and a Mallory’s hardware store, with a Jackson’s store on the east corner.
On the North side the west corner of Bean Street had a premises called Linsleys which was licensed to sell most alcoholic beverages.
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