Alnwick (Fenkle Street) - Star Inn

Name: The Star Inn

Address: Fenkle Street, Alnwick

Star Hotel 1890s

The Star Inn opened in 1814 having previously been a private residence, the home of the Grieve family. Richard Grieve was the under-sheriff of Northumberland, and his father, Ralph, a merchant, had been prominent at Alnwick in political contests.

As can be seen from the 1864 Town Plan below, the Star Inn was adjacent to the Post Office, with Stone Well Lane running along one side. Following demolition in the 1930s, it was eventually replaced by a new Post Office building.

1864 Town Plan

Listed landlords at the Star were George Coxon (1814-1960), Susan Coxon (1861), George Pike (1862-70), Susan Pike nee Coxon (1870-), Eliza Whit(e)ford (1879), Ralph & Eliza Rennison nee Whiteford (1881), Thomas Horne (1891-1901), Mary Ann Metcalf (1911) and Margaret Wood (1921).

Saturday,  Oct. 7, 1826 Newcastle Courant

1834 Poll Books George Coxon

1838 Poll Books George Coxon

1841 Census George Coxon

1851 Census George Coxon

1855 Whellan's Directory - George Coxon

1860 Probate George Coxon

George Coxon Burial

Dec 1860 St Michaels Church, Alnwick, Northumberland

Buried in the Church with Memorial to him - landlord of the Star Inn, Alnwick for nearly half a century.

Church Memorial to George Coxon

Following her father's death in 1860, Susan Coxon took over the running of the Star Inn, at the time being unmarried and the following year she bought the Inn at auction.

Thursday,  Feb. 7, 1861 Newcastle Journal

1861 Census Susan Coxon

The Alnwick to Wooler stage coach in the yard of the Star Inn

In 1862 Susan Coxon married George Pike, a local printer and bookseller who then assisted her in the business until his own death in 1870.

1870 Probate George Pike

Following George's death, Susan was again left to run the hotel on her own.

1871 Census Susan Pike

1879 Kelly's Directory Eliza Whitford (Whiteford)

Just after the directory record above was recorded, Eliza Whiteford married Ralph Rennison, who was a local man plying his trade as a 'Tanner' and a member of the Alnwick Freemason's Lodge. They are shown together running the inn on the 1881 census below.

1881 Census Ralph Rennison

Saturday,  Sept. 10, 1881 Alnwick Mercury

1891 Census Thomas Horne

The Star Inn was destroyed by fire in 1891, was rebuilt, but later demolished in 1939 to build the new Post Office on Fenkle Street.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

The Star Hotel, at Alnwick, was yesterday morning totally destroyed by fire, winch originated in the bar-room. It was discovered by Mr. Nelson, of Sheffield, who awoke feeling a choking sensation in his throat. He noticed also a smell of fire. He thereupon alarmed the landlord. So fiercely did fire spread that in half an hour the building to the topmost storey was in flames. The landlord and landlady got the other occupants, including two children and four servants, out of one of the windows, all in their nightdresses. The hotel was completely gutted, and neither furniture nor clothing could be saved. 

Tuesday,  Apr. 14, 1891 Nottingham Evening Post

THE FIRE AT THE STAR HOTEL, ALNWICK

On Tuesday evening a meeting of the friends and sympathisers with Mr. and Mrs. Home in the great calamity which has befallen them by the total destruction of their residence by fire, was held at the Nag's Head Hotel, Alnwick.—Mr. W. Robertson (grocer), chairman of the Local Board, presided. —There was a good attendance, taking into consideration the extremely short notice that had been given.—The Chairman stated that the gentlemen present would know the object of their meeting there that night. He could not depict in words the position in which Mr. and Mrs. Home and their family now stood, but what was wanted was an expression of sympathy with the sufferers and it was for them to say whether it should take a tangible form, and that subscriptions be asked for.—Mr. A. S. Cockburn gave a feeling explanation of the unfortunate circumstances the family were placed in through the calamity.—it was resolved that a subscription list be at once opened.—Mr. A. S. Cockburn was appointed secretary, Mr. Jos. Forster, treasurer, and a numerous committee was formed.—Subscriptions to the amount of over £21 were given and promised in the room. Other arrangements were made, after which the meeting terminated.

Saturday,  Apr. 25, 1891 Morpeth Herald 

1901 Census Thomas Horne

1911 Census Mary Ann Metcalf

1911 Census Summary Page

1921 Census Margaret Wood (Hotel Manageress)

1921 Census Mr Elliott (Owner)

The Star Hotel was demolished in 1939 to make way for the new Post Office building. The dedicated Fenkle Street Post Office building eventually closed in the 1990s, when retail postal services moved to Market Street. True to its postal heritage, the building was later converted into a public house, aptly named The Penny Black.

Penny Black Café Bar & Restaurant