Star & Garter Hull 1983

Lunchtime in the Star & Garter (Rayners), Hessle Road, Hull 1983

The Star & Garter pub is sited on the corner of Hessle Road and West Dock Avenue and was the centre of Hull’s fishing community. It was known locally as Rayners, nick-named after larger-than-life 1930’s landlord, Henry Rayner. In its long history it was the traditional meeting place of deep sea trawlermen, who worked three weeks at sea and then came onshore for just three days. The phrase describing these men as ‘Three Day Millionaires’ was coined after a tradition of lavish payday spending on clothes, gifts and partying. The pub was core to Hull’s fishing community.

As the fishing industry declined, so did the fortunes of the Star & Garter. In 1983 the core of lunchtime drinkers were old, retired or unemployed fishermen, their wives or their widows.

The Star & Garter’s name has now been officially changed to Rayners and it is still open today.