No-one had been found to run Hull’s iconic Earl de Grey as a pub, a developer revealed
Built in 1900, Castle Buildings is one of Hull’s most distinctive landmarks and is in a prime location(Image: R&R Studio)
Plans for a new Marriott hotel in Hull have moved a step closer after a Hull City Council planning meeting gave revised development plans the green light. However, there was disappointment among councillors after the developer for the site revealed no-one had been found to run the city’s legendary Earl de Grey as a pub.
Despite a lengthy search, the developers for the site have instead decided to work with the HEY Smile Foundation who will use the Earl de Grey space as offices upstairs and a community-oriented hub space downstairs. Although confident the proposed tenant would be a success in the building, some councillors felt it was a shame for Hull’s history that the pub couldn’t reopen.
The planning committee meeting was held in the council chamber in The Guildhall in Hull. Councillors heard about the revised ambitious plans for the large site north of Castle Street and south-east of Waterhouse Lane. It is a big development project comprising of the historic Castle Buildings, the Earl de Grey pub, and brownfield land. The site has a huge potential to boost the city’s economy, being close to both Princes Quay and the Connexin Live entertainment arena.
Consent for the construction of a large hotel and development of the pub and Castle Buildings has already been granted. The meeting was hearing about a variation to the planned development, Jonathan Stubbs, Wykeland Group Development Director, told the chamber.
He explained the new plan would see the youth-focused Marriott Moxy brand moving in, and the hotel having a slightly larger footprint. The new hotel will boast a gym, a ‘plug & play library’, a large welcome area and a restaurant.
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The meeting heard how the revised hotel will no longer have a rooftop bar. However, it will have a larger, improved bar and eating area on the ground floor.
“Now we have a hotel planned that meets Marriott’s brand standards,” he said. “The new planning policy framework strengthens the case for the development. It provides an economic benefit and stimulus, it will support Hull’s visitor and leisure economy, and has absolute support from the nearby arena.”
The site will be of further social benefit by providing jobs for local people and will demonstrate a good environmental standard by redeveloping brownfield land, the meeting heard.
However, despite the Wykeland Group’s significant search and the considerable rebuild of the Earl de Grey there has been ‘no interest whatsoever’ for the 400sq ft space that could’ve been used as a pub, cafe or restaurant.
Instead, the planning meeting heard how the HEY Smile Foundation, a Yorkshire-based charity, will move into the space. It was already planning to use office upstairs in the revamped Castle Building, and will now use the pub as a community-oriented public-facing space.
An economic boost for Hull
The development will be a boost for people coming into Hull along the busy and recently revamped A63. Cllr Allen Frederick Healand ( Liberal Democrats – Sutton ward) said the development would improve the entrance to Hull for many people by ‘creating a cluster’ with existing hotels and the Connexin Live arena.
Although councillors were upset no-one could be found to run the historic pub in a prime location, they were happy the important development could progress.
Cllr Tracey Henry (Lib Dem – Pickering) admitted it was a challenging time for anyone to take a risk in opening a venue and remained hopeful that there was still a slim chance it could become a pub again in the distant future.
“The Earl de Grey is a long part of my history. I am disappointed it couldn’t be turned into a pub,” she told the meeting. “But the reality is that the industry is just not there, at present. I’m quite happy with the variation, maybe it could become a pub later down the line if it doesn’t just stick to being offices.
“I think it will be a great facility, right in the centre of the city. It will preserve part of our history too. Just a shame it was gutted and so much history went with it, but now I’m very happy to see things move forward.”
Hull City Council’s legal team and highways department had no objections to the revised plan. The planning variation was unanimously passed by councillors.
A storied past – from a docker’s pub to a palace for parrots
Castle Buildings is one of Hull’s most distinctive landmarks, with a striking curved frontage and Renaissance Revival architectural style. The property overlooks the A63 Castle Street and has undergone a huge rejuvenation meaning it now incorporates the city’s iconic Earl de Grey pub thanks to a clever redesign.
The project has seen extensive structural repairs, a new roof and all the windows replaced with authentic, double-glazed reproductions. Inside, original parquet flooring, wrought-iron columns and mosaic entryway flooring have all been retained and refurbished, reversing decades of decline.
Wykeland Group has been responsible for the transformation of Castle Buildings, working with partners including Hull-based Voase Builders, Hessle-based LHL Group and Grimsby-based ID Architecture, to bring it to fruition.
The Earl de Grey pub was built in 1831 to service Hull’s docks which included a number of offices, warehouses and drinking establishments. Its distinctive green tiling was added to the exterior in 1913 at around the same time as Henry and Lucy Roberts became publicans. Mrs Roberts later ran the pub alone after her husband was killed in action in the First World War.
Second World War bombing raids on Hull later miraculously missed the Earl de Grey, leaving it as a beacon of hope in a city badly hit by German attacks. Over the years it hosted Mexican, Haitian, Venezuelan and Romanian consulates and famously became home to a pair of parrots called Ringo and Cha Cha.
Cha Cha the parrot was allegedly killed during a bungled burglary at the pub in the 1980s, with rumours the bird was later buried beneath the nearby A63 road during its construction. Local legend claims that Ringo, the surviving parrot, was so traumatised and distraught by the botched burglary and loss of his best friend that he never spoke again.
Last orders at the Earl de Grey were called for the final time more than fifteen years ago, the pub closing its doors in 2010.
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