Whitecross Tavern—Whitecross Street

When made redundant in 1928, the Whitecross Tavern licence was noted as one that dated from pre-1869. However, the earliest definitive reference to this pub I have found is in the Hull Packet of June 1876, where: ‘Lilly Stockhill – landlady of the Whitecross Tavern in Barton’, was charged with ‘wilful and corrupt perjury’. The Whitecross Tavern was later recorded by name in the 1881 census, which noted its address as Priestgate. It was also mentioned by name in a 1908 trade directory at an address in Priestgate, however another directory in 1910 gave its correct address of Whitecross Street; the confusion arising as it was located on the corner of both streets.

In the 1851, and 1861 census the property was occupied by John Brockelsby and his family, who was listed as a grocer in both years. During the late 1850s however, he was also listed as a beer retailer in trade directories. It is possible this was as an off-licence, and that the shop and of-licence later acquired an on-licence.

It is shown in a c.1928 photograph as part of a terrace of houses that appear to be Georgian. At that time it was a Worthington’s house (since at least 1914) and their sign-board adorned the southern wall facing Priestgate, whilst on the adjacent wall was a simple painted sign on the false window on the first floor front elevation. The tavern was a typical beer-house, with no other adornment whatsoever. It eventually closed in 1932, and remained empty for some years.