Historic Hull pub facing the ‘severe impact’ of Drypool Bridge…

Hull Daily Mail Icon News Hull & East Yorkshire News Hull City Council The closure is already hitting the pub’s takings The White Hart, Alfred Gelder Street (Image: Hull Live) The White Hart in Hull city centre is already being hit by the closure of Drypool Bridge. The closure of Alfred Gelder Street from Lowgate, has killed the foot traffic the pub’s general manager has explained. Drypool Bridge, one of the main ways people travel to and from East Hull, has been closed for repairs, with work expected to last at least 10 weeks. The repairs to the bridge were in order after an inspection last year found significant damage to a number of the bridge’s bearing columns. Despite the closure of the bridge being expected, the General Manger of The White Hart pub, Matthew Appleyard, explained that the closure of Alfred Gelder Street itself came as a “complete shock.” He added that the road closure happened “without any prior notice to us, and it’s already having a severe impact on our takings.” Matthew Appleyard, General Manger at The White Hart (Image: Hull Live) Hull City Council has said that letters were delivered to impacted businesses in advance of the closure, but Mr Appleyard insisted that no letter had been sent to The White Hart. He said, the pub only became aware of the closure after a neighbouring business sent a panicked message upon seeing the closure on Monday. During the first few days of the road closure, the pub has instantly seen a stark fall in customers, claims Matthew. The pub’s takings have reduced by 40%, he says, adding that the family-run pub is fully independent and doesn’t have the “safety net or financial backing that bigger chains enjoy.” Drypool Bridge will be closed for 10 weeks (Image: Hull Live) Rather than cutting staff members’ hours, Matthew is looking to promotions to keep the ship afloat. For example, the pub has this week launched a ‘Cask Ale Week’, offering 10% off all real ale and real cider until September 28. With the road being closed, the pub has lost one of its key sources of custom – the bus stop outside. This in addition to the drop in general footfall has put the pub in “a really tough spot,” Mr Appleyard said. The pub prides itself on having a community of regulars. It was even named in the Telegraph’s 500 Best Pubs in England series. Alfred Gelder Street has been closed from the junction with Lowgate (Image: Hull Live) The pub’s neighbours, Food for Cowboys, a Mexican street food restaurant, have also been hit by the closure. The restaurant, whose food The White Hart serves, said the closure “is likely going to kill” their business. In addition to saying letters had been delivered, a Hull City Council spokesperson said: “The council’s business support team has been to visit the businesses affected and set out what steps they will be taking to support them while the road closure is in place.” Is Hull the best place to live in Yorkshire? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here . …
SEE FULL ARTICLE