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Changing times / Hessle Road, Hull
Hessle Road: Then & Now
An illustrated connection between the working road of the past and the community keeping its memories alive today.
View the full artwork ↗
Our illustrated heritage collection.Read the story alongside the artwork.
Researched 10 October 2026 · A growing community archive
01
Then: a working road
The road’s story is closely tied to Hull’s fishing community, shops and transport. Electric trams became part of Hull’s streets in 1899. Photographer Alec Gill began recording the Hessle Road area in 1971, preserving everyday moments and the people behind the history.
02
Now: keeping memories alive
HessleRoad.com is part of Hull Creative Skills and Heritage CIC. The Vauxhall Tavern and café at 1 Hessle Road are part of the project, alongside plans for a heritage centre and upstairs creative workshops and classrooms.
03
Your photographs can connect the years
We would love to pair older photographs with new views of the same place. Send the location, approximate date, names you know and permission to publish with your photograph.
Your part of the story
What do you remember?
Send a photograph, family memory, name or correction. Include the place, approximate date, the people you recognise and permission to publish.Email Info@hessleroad.com ↗Contribution guidance →Research sources & illustration notes
This is a thematic Then & Now illustration, rather than a matched pair of historical and modern photographs. The upper scene is a composite artistic impression. The lower scene follows the real Vauxhall’s architecture from an undated reference photograph, with an illustrated gathering representing the project’s purpose. It does not show a completed heritage centre.
Hull Museums: history of Hull's electric tram service, opening in 1899. ↗
Hull City Council: Alec Gill began photographing the Hessle Road area in 1971; his extensive work documents its fishing culture. ↗
Vauxhall Tavern: Historic England list entry 1197745 confirms the real building and its Grade II status. ↗
Current project context: Hull Creative Skills and Heritage CIC, together with the founder's project details. ↗
Project website and contribution contact. ↗
Follow another thread
There’s more to discover.
A Walk Through History ↗The Working Life of Hessle Road ↗View all 18 illustrated stories →
Our community. Our story.
HessleRoad.com is a living heritage project celebrating Hessle Road, Hull — preserving the past, recording the present and inviting everyone to contribute. New content added every week.
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Part of HCSH CIC
Part of Hull Creative Skills and Heritage CIC.All sales proceeds go back into the CIC, with all profits reinvested in the community and community projects.
Based at the Vauxhall Tavern,1 Hessle Road, Hull.Visit the new CIC Heritage website ↗info@hessleroad.com
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© 2026 HessleRoad.com / Hull Creative Skills & Heritage CIC. Painting previews are watermarked. Contributing photographs & permissions
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