Ye Old Blue Bell Pub History

"Ye Old Blue Bell" in Hull's historic old town, is neatly tucked away beside Trinity Market and Hepworth Arcade. The date of this building is unknown, but we understand that local carrier carts left the Blue Bell on their way to Cottingham, Hornsea, Kimswell, Patrington, Rimswell and Roos from 1791.

Early records show that early ownership was to John Banks who leased to William Lambert (grocer), Betsey Fearne a spinster, John Fearne (Linen Draper), James Watson (Cheese Factor) and John Thompson (Gentleman) in 1798. It appears that Betsey Fearne sold her share to Lambert in 1798. 

The next occupier was a man named Henry Neve, who in 1774 tenanted the Blue Bell site until 1808 when Samuel King an Ironmonger bought the site and turned it into a public house know as "The Blue Bell Inn"

By 1889  it had passed to Rev. Edward Thomas Mortlock of Snailwell who then sold the pub on to J G Smithson (Brewer) and J W Tindall (Bottler). The property remained unchanged during this period, however some outbuilding where offered to let in 1884, including two workhouses and a workroom.

In 1899 J W Tindall was a ale and port merchant and the Blue Bell was occupied by James Tunbridge with James Jenkins as his tenant. Tindall then erected a sign in the form of an ornamental bell over the entrance in Market Place, constructed of metal and coloured glass, and was hung from an iron stay. As Tindall was an acting agent for Smithson's Tower Brewery, the Blue Bell was tied to them, so in 1901 Hull Brewery took over Smithson's but the Blue Bell passed to Allsopp & Sons who merged with Ind Coope & Co in 1934. After experiencing financial difficulties Ind Coope sold a lot of their properties in Hull to Linsleys in 1912 and the Blue Bell was bought by J W Cameron & Co before the early 1960's.

In 1962 the Hull City Council wanted to expand the market and these plan included demolishing the Blue Bell Public House. Luckily Cameron had applied to convert the first floor into a living accommodation. At first this was rejected on the grounds that the site was required as part of the markets development and that it was unsuitable for living accommodation. In 1964 the council approved plans after Cameron rejected an offer made for alternative lease on a building on the east side of Market Place. 

In 1967 Hull City Council agreed to rent part of the rear of Blue Bell, 13 Hepworth Arcade. As of today you can access the beer garden of the Blue Bell via the indoor market, 

Today you can see many changes including the demolished snug in the main bar, to the right, The original front entrance has been blocked up and entrance to the main bar is now oposite the snug on the left of the building at the front entrance. The telephone room as it was known is now where the darts board is with an extended staircase to the ladies toilets and pool room. The alcove between the snug and the lounge was originally where stairs lead up to the first floor and down to the cellar. And the scullery at the back has been split into two, creating a storeroom and the men's toilets which was originally just a urinal accessed by the passage.

In 1985 Sam Smiths took over the Blue Bell and refurbished it at a cost of £50,000. This included a redecoration of the lounge with Draylon upholstery, a larger service area in the lounge with hand pumps, the billiard tables where moved from the cabin in to the bar, and the cabin was turned into a snug. New bar back fittings and fixed seating where added and the pub re-opened in 1986.

Pictures to follow