I had lived up the road from 'ull in the family home in the genteel market town of Beverley for the six previous years although four of these coincided with my student life away in another part of the country.
So you could say that I was not really that familiar with the city on my doorstep , the nuances of its different streets, local areas, the significance of the River Hull and its divisive influence on the population, and many, many other aspects of life and culture.
In my first week of proper employment I had a short induction after which I was provided with a company car and sent out with a full diary of appointments- monday to friday.
I had to quickly learn my way around the city and my knowledge of how to get from one location to another did soon, I felt , rival that of the most seasoned taxi driver.
In 1985 Hull was in yet another of its transitional stages. I tend to think that there was only one really starting from the decimation of the city in the wartime blitz and just progressing in fits and starts giving that impression in the following seven decades.
Large tracts of small, densely packed late Victorian terraced houses were being demolished and cleared and their residents, many with multi generational roots in those areas, shipped out to new and soul-less estates at the far reaches of the urban sprawl. Other, once proud streets of large and character town houses had been allowed to decline in condition and desirability and a few only just survived to be regenerated into trendy middle class dwellings. New roads were carving their way through the old docklands and trawler quays, many citizens being appalled at the decline in the core industries of Hull but firmly of the opinion that this type of infrastructure was well overdue anyway compared to regional centres such as Leeds, York and Sheffield.
Improvements followed in shopping and leisure amenities although these typically sounded the death knell for the corner shops, those niche outlets run by sole proprietors and many which had been an integral part of daily life in Hull.
One such premises, much loved but nevertheless of dubious reputation was a landmark on the Springbank and Princes Avenue junction and traded as "Gwenap".
It had a traditional shop front with twin display windows and a central entrance door. The often lurid and downright outrageous goods in the windows clearly advertised the business as an adult shop or sex shop although the signage was for "specialist underwear and pleasurewear".
Motorists at the head of the traffic queues on the eastern and northern approach to the junction could not really avoid sneaking a glimpse of the colourful and provocative window dressings. This would make for an awkward silence if a male driver was accompanied by wife, partner or observant, inquisitive and expressive children.
On some occasions there would be a demonstration on the pavement by a Methodist contingent or other Watch Committee endeavouring to impose morality and restraint on prospective customers. It was not a wise thing to do to linger outside or show a casual interest as you were likely to have your photograph taken on the assumption that you were either a degenerate or a pervert.
I did see many cars stalling for voyeuristic reasons and the distracted driver would be beeped by impatient followers long after the green traffic light showed. On some days there would be a small sheen of headlamp or tail light lenses on the carriageway evidently arising from a similar lack of concentration when confronted by mannequins dressed in nurses, policewomen's or French maid costumes.
The establishment had originally opened to trade in 1902, then as a ladies outfitters and hat makers.
The change in retail identity may have taken place in the more liberal 1960's or 1970's , certainly the stylised demeanour of the window dummies was of that period.
I was a naive onlooker in 1985 thinking that the large fly poster in the window advertising "TV Times" referred to small screen entertainment rather than, in actuality, a magazine by and for those of the Transvestite persuasion.
"Gwenap", in name, featured in many aspects of Hull life either in pub conversations or in comedy and popular culture. It represented a constant in a fast changing urban environment although I cannot recall ever having seen anyone go in or come out of the shop on my frequent, very diligent pass-bys in the car. I did nearly lose control of the steering wheel in dumbfounded amazement at seeing an inflatable sheep on display but then again anything and everything seemed fair game for the loyal , but invisible, clientele.
There was also wit and pathos in the regular change of banners and yet more full window posters which could produce a heartfelt laugh, smile or nervous giggle. These under new ownership from 1988 included, very much on topic with news events, "Bent Politicians welcome here", "Knickers to the lot of you" and "Blow up dolls for the reformed terrorist" .
Hull folk did not regard Gwenap as being at all seedy or a corrupting influence because of a certain lightness and tongue in cheek attitude of the proprietor. Perhaps well ahead of its time was the courting of a customer base through clever marketing and advertising, foremost being the "Gwenap Flyer", a contact magazine for singles, couples, groups and specialist fetishists from every gender.
This publication enjoyed decades of patronage even though no one would ever admit to having bought it, read it or let alone advertise in it. It was once cited as the catalyst in a high profile legal case of group sex swingers and a blackmail based extortion case that excited local interest in an otherwise sleepy and parochial village out in the wilds to the east of Hull.
In 2009 the business became unsustainable and closure was imminent but such was the public outcry that the owner kept going and actually found a buyer in the following year.
The key factor in securing a deal was the "Gwenap" name with an inherent value and goodwill in being the longest established business of its type in Britain or even the world. Investment under new ownership kept the iconic shop front intact although, someone told me that the innocence and fun of the old made way for a more commercial edginess in the adult market also covering retro and burlesque goods.
It may have just been a last swansong for the institution that was "Gwenap" as the shop eventually closed in 2013.
It was a sad day for Hull on that front but as for the busy road junction, it became an infinitely safer place to drive through without temptation towards distraction or good old titillation.
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