A COUPLE who fell in love at one of Hull's historic pubs are now celebrating 40 years since they first shared a romantic lunch there.
Stephanie and Paul Cotson have made the move from the cosy corner of the Old English Gentleman, where they planned their lives together – to behind the bar – having bought the pub seven years ago.
Stephanie, 58, said: "We can't believe we've had the pub for nearly seven years, never mind the 40 years since we started coming here as a couple.
"We've been through two floods and had a building site next door while Hull History Centre was going up.
"We replaced every bit of equipment, scrubbed and painted every nook and cranny and lost sleep over it.
"It's been hard but the best part about it is the people.
"The pub dates back to 1805 and my earliest memories are when my grandfather used to drink here.
"We're a traditional local pub, we do great beer and food and we have entertainment including a quiz and open mic night."
Stephanie was working for Zurich Insurance at Tivoli House in Paragon Street and Paul, now 59, was at Weeks Trailers in Bankside when they began their Friday lunchtime liaisons in 1973.
"The pub was the halfway point between our offices," Paul says.
They met at Scamps nightclub and on a Friday lunchtime would visit the pub.
The couple married two years later and work took them out of the city centre.
Paul remained in the caravan industry but when he found the business heading for tough times they decided to look at running a pub.
They had heard the Old English Gentleman, in Mason Street, was up for sale and did not hesitate in buying it.
Legendary entertainers Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy – who visited the pub in 1947 – came to mind when Stephanie and Paul feared they had landed in "another fine mess", but perseverance paid off.
Paul said: "It was a struggle but we were determined and we made it work."
A big asset was the pub's popularity with theatre-goers and its remarkable collection of photographs of celebrities throughout the ages who have performed at the New Theatre.
Many of the performers have stayed at the pub, which still has five guest rooms.
Paul said: "They know they won't be pestered here and they still come in – it's certainly a place for the stars."
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