Folkestone
Express 19-1-1935
Local News
An extension of “permitted hours” from 10 p.m. to 10.30
is to be applied for this year in the majority of licensing districts in
England and Wales.
Licensing Justices are being asked on behalf of nearly
50,000 licensees to hear, at the Brewster Sessions next month, applications for
the half hour extension.
“We believe that in making this drive we are acting in
accordance with the wishes of the man in the street”, Mr. L.R.N. Percy, the
secretary of the Licensed Victuallers` Defence League, stated in a press
interview. “Licensees may claim to know better than any body of teetotallers
what the public feels about restrictions, and they are certain that the public
wants the closing hour to be later. After all, it is not exactly a compliment
to the ordinary man that his favourite inn should be closed half an hour
earlier than it need be – apparently because the authorities regard him as
being unable to buy a drink after ten o`clock without losing his self-control.
One argument we shall put before licensing benches is that it is unfair to deny
reasonable refreshment to people who have spent the evening in playing tennis,
bowls, or cricket, or in their gardens. With licensed houses closing in summer
time in daylight – it is actually 9 p.m. by Greenwich Mean Time – they are
unable to buy a drink before they turn in for the night. We shall point out
that extensions were granted in 214 districts last year, that they were
welcomed by the consuming public, and that the privilege was not abused”.
Mr. Percy added that licensed victuallers would, if
necessary, show the Justices that drunkenness was no longer a social problem.
“Convictions have fallen from 200,550 in 1905 to 36,285 in 1933, though the
total population has increased considerably in that period. Licensees and
licensed houses have changed. The modern landlord is a responsible man of
unimpeachable respectability. His house is as orderly as any other meeting
place in the locality”.
Ten o`clock closing, according to Mr. Percy, is
positively harmful. “As the police authorities themselves have pointed out, it
leads to “rush drinking” – which entails some discomfort to the consumer and
difficulties for the licensee”.
Folkestone
Express 16-2-1935
Annual Licensing Sessions
The annual Licensing Sessions was held on Wednesday at
the Folkestone Town Hall, when the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) reported
that there had only been 15 convictions for drunkenness, the number being the
same as the previous year. One licence, that of the Mechanics Arms, was
referred to the adjourned licensing sessions, all the others being renewed. The
licensing hours were extended for the whole of the summer time period by half
an hour, from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on weekdays.
Mr. R.G. Wood presided, and a number of Magistrates
were on the Bench.
The Chief Constable presented his report as follows:- I
have the honour to present my twelfth annual report relating to the
administration of the licensing laws within the borough for the year ending 31st
December, 1934.
Licensed Premises: There are 127 premises in the
borough licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, this number being made up
as follows: Full licences, 76; beer on, 10; beer off, 5; beer and wine off, 4;
beer, wine and spirits off, 10; beer and spirits off, 5; beer and sweets off,
4; wine on, 3; cider and sweets off, 1; wine and cider off, 1; wine off, 6;
cider off, 1; wine and spirits off, 1:Total 127. (89 on licences and 38 off
licences). Of this number 15 were taken
over from the county when the enlarged borough came into existence on the 1st
April, 1934. These include the White Lion Hotel, Cheriton, full licence;
Victoria Hotel, Risborough Lane, Cheriton, full licence; the Imperial, Tile
Kiln Lane, Cheriton, beer and sweets off; Albion House, High Street, Cheriton,
beer, wine and spirits off; the Star Inn, Newington, full licence; and the
Valiant Sailor, Capel, full licence.
Six Day Licences: There are three such licences in the
borough.
Occasional Licences: Fifty three occasional licences
were granted to licence holders to sell intoxicating liquor other than on their
own licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours: One thousand and eighty
nine extensions have been granted to licence holders within the borough when
dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises, and on the occasion
of public holidays. This is an increase of 190 on the number granted last year,
and I am pleased to report that only in one case has any abuse of the privilege
been reported.
Alterations to Licensed Premises: Structural
alterations were sanctioned by the Bench on the 7th February to the
South Foreland public house.
Licences Transferred: The following licences were
transferred during the year: West Cliff Shades, 7th February, 1934;
Black Bull Hotel, 6th March, 1934; Guildhall Hotel, 28th
February, 1934; Raglan Hotel, 23rd May, 1934; Jubilee Inn, 23rd
May, 1934; Bouverie Arms, 10th October, 1934; Richmond Tavern, 10th
October, 1934; Mechanics Arms, 10th October, 1934; and Royal George,
28th November, 1934.
Proceedings Against licence Holders: No licensees were
proceeded against in the Police Court for offences against the Intoxicating
Liquor Laws. I did, however, receive reports of minor irregularities at six
licensed premises during the year, and I strictly cautioned the licensees
responsible and believe these cautions have proved effective.
Drunkenness: During the year 24 persons (20 males and
four females) were proceeded against in the Police Police Court for
drunkenness. Of this number five were charged with being drunk whilst in charge
of motor vehicles, and four with begging as well as being drunk. The following
shows how the cases were disposed of:- Convicted, 12 males and 23 females.
Discharged, 8 males and one female. The persons proceeded against were:
Residents, Four males and one female; Non-residents, five males and one female;
No fixed abode, eight males and two females; Soldiers, three. The total
proceedings for drunkenness show an increase of one as compared with the
preceding year, when 15 persons were convicted and eight discharged.
Permitted Hours: The permitted hours as allowed by the
Licensing Act, 1921 have been fixed by the Licensing Justices for this Borough
as under: Weekdays from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.;
Sundays from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. At the annual
licensing meeting in 1926, an extension of half an hour was granted by the
Bench under the provisions of Section 1 (1) of the Licensing Act, 1921 (from 10
p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on weekdays only) during the months of June, July, August
and September. This extension has been in force during the months mentioned
every year since, and no ill-effects have been observed. An abstract in
connection with this attention has been prepared and is attached for the
attention of the Justices.
Visits by Police to Licensed Premises: All licensed
premises have been periodically visited at irregular intervals by my officers,
and in six cases, as previously mentioned, adverse reports have been received.
Apart from this, everything has been satisfactory. The total number of visits
made by police during the year was 1,719.
Clubs: Twenty six clubs where intoxicating liquor is
supplied are registered under the Act. One new club was registered during 1934,
namely the Highcliffe Billiards and Social Club.
Hotels: Six hotels and two restaurants have authority
under Section III of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating liquor
with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely: Royal Pavilion
Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Princes Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Metropole
Hotel, Savoy Cafe and Central Cafe.
Music and Dancing: Fifty three licences for music and
dancing have been granted or renewed during the year under the provisions of
Part IV of the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890. This is an increase of four
as compared with the previous year. Of this number, 18 are for the use of
wireless for public entertainment in licensed premises.
Billiards Licences: There is no change in the number of
billiards licences in the borough, three premises being so licensed, i.e.: The
Queen`s Hall, Tontine Street, No. 24, Rendezvous Street, and the Fishermen`s
Institute, on The Stade.
In conclusion I should like to express my appreciation
for the ever-ready courtesy and fairness extended to me by the Bench during the
year and for the valuable assistance and advice of your Clerk, Mr. Charles
Rootes, which is always unreservedly placed at my service.
The Chairman said on behalf of the Bench he thanked the
Chief Constable for the very full way in which he had given his report. He was
desired to congratulate him and the borough through him on the splendid
condition of things which had been maintained as regarded sobriety. They were
glad to see that the wave of sobriety continued. They were glad to notice the
small number of convictions. In his report did the Chief Constable compare his
figures with those of the borough as it was in 1934?
The Chief Constable: The figures this year take in the
larger borough. They are better than appears on paper.
The Chairman said that the figures showed that
drunkenness was infinitesimal having regard to the size of the borough, not
including visitors. He thought the licensed victuallers were to be thanked for
the way in which they conducted their houses. The population of Folkestone had
shown how to behave themselves and the thousands of visitors had also fallen
into line. He was glad to note no proceedings had been taken against licensees during
the year. They knew their business was a very difficult business to manage.
There was one thing about the report, and that was the continual requests for
extensions of licences. They had been very liberal, and there had been an
increase of 190 on the previous year. They noted that there was only one case
where there was any abuse of the privilege. He hoped the state of things that
day would continue and even that there would be some improvement. The
percentage of drunkenness as compared with other towns was certainly something
of which they could be proud.
The Chief Constable said no account was taken in the
table of the huge floating population. Cheriton and Sandgate could take credit
to themselves that they had not caused them any additional trouble.
Radnor Street Licensed Houses
Several of the clergy and ministers and representatives
of various religions and temperance bodies were present in Court, evidently
with a view to watching the proceedings concerning the licensed houses in the
Radnor Street area. Mr. C.F. Nicholson, the Town Clerk, was also present.
The Chairman asked the Town Clerk if he had anything to
say.
Mr. Nicholson said he really did not quite understand
the position with regard to the licences in the Radnor Street area. Did they
want him to explain what the Corporation`s proposals would be?
The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): These licences will be
renewed today?
Mr. Nicholson: Certainly.
The Clerk: Nothing comes in force until next year?
Mr. Nicholson: The Corporation do not own any of the
licences for the moment. I did not anticipate I should have to explain anything
today.
The Chairman: We are asked to renew four licences in
the area. We have no official information. It is a question whether they should
be renewed or referred to the adjourned sessions. We know something by
newspapers. We can defer the renewal and in the meantime think over what action
we shall take.
Mr. Nicholson: The owners of these houses are not
represented this morning. Is it proper for me to say anything about it?
The Chairman: Why are you here?
Mr. Nicholson: I did not ask to be here.
The Rev. Dr. Carlile: Is this an application now being
made for the renewal of the four licences? If so, have the applications been
made in order?
The Clerk, to Mr. Nicholson: Is there anything you have
to officially mention? In the ordinary course there is an application for the
renewal of all the licences, which does not affect what you are doing in the
Radnor Street area.
Mr. Nicholson: I am not making any application this
morning.
The Chairman: We would like to have some information of
what is likely to happen.
Mr. Nicholson said as they were probably aware the
Corporation had submitted to the Ministry of Health a compulsory purchase
order. There were four licensed houses in the area. The Ministry declined to
allow the Corporation to purchase three of the houses and they were struck out
of the order. The remaining house, the Packet Boat, would be acquired by the
Corporation as a going concern. It so happened that the Jubilee, the Ship, and
the Oddfellows Arms, where they now stood, interfered with the proposed lay-out
of the new houses, and on instructions he entered into negotiations with the
owners. Two of them, the Jubilee and the Oddfellows Arms, agreed to re-erect, subject
to the approval of the Magistrates, on alternative sites that would enable the
Corporation`s lay-out scheme to be proceeded with. With regard to the Ship Inn,
he had not yet received the decision of the owners as to whether they were
prepared to pull down and re-erect a new house. The terms of the arrangements
with the Jubilee and the Oddfellows were subject to applications which would be
made to them in due course. There was to be an exchange of land in connection
with them. There was to be no cost to the Corporation other than paying the
tenant for the trade fixtures. With regard to the Ship Inn, he had not obtained
information whether they were prepared to pull down. That house did not
interfere with the scheme so much as the other two. It would be much better for
the scheme if that house was pulled down and re-erected, but the Corporation
could not insist upon it. The other owners had done all they could to assist in
their scheme. The Packet Boat would be definitely acquired. Notice to treat had
been served and a claim had been sent in. The Ministry confirmed the order
which included that house.
Mr. E.H. Philcox, who stated he represented a number of
residents in that area, said he would like to raise a question on the renewal
of the houses.
The Clerk: I cannot see you have any locus standi.
Mr. Philcox asked if the matter for the removals would
come up at the adjourned sessions. If so, he would be there to object. It
seemed to him they would be able that day to only provisionally renew the
licences for the time being, or mention that they would be referred on the
ground of redundancy.
Dr. Carlile said a very considerable number of
residents were interested in those four licences. If there was any
consideration of the question of the renewal of the licences they definitely
asked that their views might be considered in reference to redundancy.
The Chairman enquired what the police view was.
The Chief Constable said at the Magistrates` primary
meeting he received instructions to go into the question of redundancy and
ascertain whether it would be possible to differentiate between the houses. He
did so and he found some considerable difficulty in saying because it was an
established fact that there were not too many licensed houses for the summer trade
in the area. All the houses did extremely well. Whether they were structurally
adapted or not was open to enquiry. The houses less structurally fitted were
doing a better trade. More customers were in those pokey houses than in the
better houses. There was, he supposed, a psychological reason for it. He had
had a system of paying monthly visits and it gave him a line on the trade. He
had selected a certain number of houses and they had put them into three
groups.
The Chief Constable then described the groups and gave
details of the numbers of customers in them at certain times. The first group
consisted of the Mechanics Arms, the Honest Lawyer, and the Harvey Hotel. The
second group included the Harbour Hotel, the True Briton, the London and Paris
Hotel, and the Princess Royal. The third group were the Alexandra Hotel, Royal
George, South Foreland, the Wonder, the Pavilion Shades, the Chequers, the
Wellington, the Royal Oak, and the Lifeboat.
The Magistrates retired to consider the matter and on
their return the Chairman said they had decided to renew all the licences with
the exception of the Mechanics Arms, which they renewed until the adjourned
licensing sessions when it would be considered with regard to redundancy.
Dr. Carlile: Then no objection can be taken here and
now, or in any other place, to the four licences involved in the scheme?
The Clerk: There will be applications for removals
later and anyone can be heard at the time those applications are made. That is
the position.
The Chairman: It will be better for the objections to
be raised when the transfer comes along.
Dr. Carlile: It puts us at a very serious disadvantage.
There will only be a question of renewal then.
The Chairman: It is a question of renewing them for one
year now.
Dr. Carlile: It will be a question of the removal of
licences that have already been granted.
The Chairman: That is the position.
Summer Time Half Hour Extension
Mr. B.H. Bonniface, on behalf of the licensed
victuallers, applied for the Magistrates to fix the permitted hours for the
sale of intoxicating drink. His application was that during the whole of summer
time the hours should be extended to 8½ instead of eight and that closing time
during that period should be 10.30 p.m. instead of ten o`clock. He pointed out
that a similar concession had been granted in all the districts surrounding
Folkestone.
Dr. Carlile said he represented a large number of
ratepayers and residents. An agreement had bee made with the Vicar (the Rev.
Canon Hyla Holden), who was present, and others` approval on that subject. He
did not represent any temperance society. All he wanted to say was that the
application seemed to him quite a reasonable application. He was not offering
any opposition to the extension of hours during the summer, but they did wish
to put in a very strong plea that the Bench would exercise that seriousness
which was common today when applications were made for extensions of hours. The
report made by their Chief Constable on that point was rather alarming. Some of
them viewed with very grave apprehension the growing practice in different
parts of the country in the granting of extensions, where it seemed, to those
who lived in the neighbourhood, those extensions were not desirable. Those
objections extended to municipally controlled premises sometimes.
The Clerk read a petition from the Folkestone Branch of
the National British Women`s Temperance Association, and it stated that the
later time of closing was such a potential danger to drivers and in the general
interests of the public it was not desirable.
The Chairman said the Justices granted the application
and there would be the extra half hour extension for the period of summer time.
Folkestone
Herald 16-2-1935
Annual Licensing Sessions
Another year of sobriety was reported by the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S.
Beesley) to the Licensing Magistrates at the annual Licensing Sessions for the
Borough, which were held at the Town Hall on Wednesday. All the licenses were renewed with the
exception of that of the Mechanics’ Arms, which was referred to the adjourned
annual Sessions with a view to the question of redundancy being considered. During the Sessions reference was made
to the four licensed houses in the Radnor Street area, a statement being made
by the Town Clerk.
The Magistrates were Mr. R.G. Wood, Mr. A.E.
Pepper, Mr. J.H. Blarney, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman T.S. Franks, Alderman
Mrs. E. Gore, Mr. P. Seager, Alderman W. Hollands and Alderman J.W. Stainer.
The Chief Constable presented his report (for
details see Folkestone Extress).
The Chairman said it was not for him to make any exhaustive comment on
the report but only to thank the Chief Constable for the very full manner in
which he had placed everything before them and the details he had given them. He was desired to congratulate the
Chief Constable and the borough on the very splendid conditions of things,
especially in regard to the record of sobriety which had been maintained. They were glad to see that the wave of
sobriety which swept over the country some time ago continued. He then asked
the Chief Constable if his figures included the extended borough.
The Chief Constable said that that was so, therefore the report was
really even better than the year before.
The Chairman said that was so, for the number of convictions was no
greater last year than the preceding year when Cheriton and Sandgate were not
included. In regard to the size of the borough, the amount of drunkenness was
infinitesimal.
The licensees were also to be congratulated on the way in which they
had conducted their houses; they had also made some contribution to this
excellent report. The residents were to be congratulated and also those tens of
thousands of visitors who were with them during the year.
They were also glad to know that there were no proceedings against any
licensee during the year. They knew theirs was a difficult trade.
Referring to the number of extensions
granted, Mr. Wood said the Magistrates had been very liberal with these during
the past year; they had never granted so many before. There was an increase of
190 on the previous year. They noted that in only one instance had there been
any abuse of this privilege. There remained nothing more for him to say except
that they hoped that the happy state of affairs would continue and would even
be better. When they took the percentage figures for drunkenness they had every
reason to be proud of their record
The Chief Constable said he thanked them very
much for their kind remarks. No account was taken in the table he had put
before them of the huge floating population which they had in the summer time.
With regard to the figures for drunkenness, Sandgate and Cheriton could take it
upon themselves that they had not given them any additional trouble.
The Town Clerk (Mr. C. F. Nicholson) was
present and it was suggested he should address the Magistrates. He said that he
did not quite understand what they wanted him to tell them.
The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): What is the
position of the licensed houses in the Radnor Street area?
The
Town Clerk: You want me to explain what the effect of the Corporation’s proposals in regard to the
Radnor Street area will be?
The Clerk: These licences won’t be renewed, will they?
The Town Clerk: Certainly. The Corporation don’t own any of the
licences at the moment.
The Clerk: They may.
The Town Clerk: Only one. If the Bench want me
to explain what the position is likely to be I shall be pleased to do so.
The
Chairman said they were asked to renew four licences in the area. They had no official information as to what
would happen to them. The question arose whether they should be renewed that
morning or put over to the adjourned Sessions.
The Town Clerk pointed out that the owners of the houses were not represented
that morning. Was it proper for him to say anything about it in their absence?
The Chairman: Why are you here?
The Town Clerk explained that he was asked to come.
The Clerk said he thought the Magistrates might like some information.
Dr. J.C. Carlile, who was present with other clergy and ministers, then
asked if an application was now being made for the renewal of these licences in
the Radnor Street area.
The Clerk (to the Town Clerk): Is there anything you have to mention
this morning why the licences should not be renewed in the ordinary way?
The Town Clerk said it would not affect what the Corporation were doing
in the Radnor Street area if the licences were renewed. He pointed out that he
was making no application to the Magistrates that morning. As they were probably aware the
Corporation had submitted to the Ministry of Health a Compulsory Purchase Order
for the acquisition of most of the properties in the Radnor Street area.
Included in the order were four licensed houses, the Jubilee Inn, the
Oddfellows’ Inn, the Ship Inn and the Packet Boat Inn. When the Minister came
to consider the order he declined to allow the Corporation to purchase three
of those houses, the Jubilee, the Oddfellows’ and the Ship. They were struck
out of the order on the ground of the expense which would be involved if the
Corporation had to acquire them. The remaining house, the Packet Boat Inn,
would be acquired by the Corporation. It so happened that the position of the Jubilee Inn and the Oddfellows’
Inn as they stood at the present time interfered with the proposed lay-out of
the new houses. On the instructions of the Corporation he had entered into
negotiations with the owners of the houses concerned and two of them, namely
the Jubilee and the Oddfellows, had agreed, subject to the approval of the
Magistrates, to pull down and build new houses on alternative sites. That
would enable the Corporation’s lay-out scheme to be proceeded with, but with
regard to the other house, the Ship Inn, he had not yet received the decision
of the owners of that house as to whether they were prepared to pull down and
erect a new house on a new site. These terms of the arrangements with the
owners of the Jubilee and Oddfellows’ were subject to an application which
would be made to the Magistrates in due course. The owners of the houses were
conveying to the Corporation the sites of their existing houses in exchange
for sites on which they would build new houses. There was to be no cost to the
Corporation other than certain compensation to the tenant. In spite of the fact
that the houses were struck out of the order, the way in which the owners had
met the Corporation would enable the lay-out scheme to be proceeded with as
they desired.
The Chairman: That’s for two of the houses?
The Town Clerk replied that that was so. With regard to the Ship Inn, as
he had stated, he had not yet obtained the decision of the owners of the house.
If they decided to stay where they were, their house would not interfere with
the scheme so much as the other two had done. It would mean that their house
would abut in front of a line of cottages which were going to be built there.
The Chairman: It won’t seriously interfere with you?
The Town Clerk: No, but it would be much better if they would. We cannot
insist on them doing so. The other owners have done all they can to meet the
wishes of the Corporation. Continuing, the Town Clerk said
the fourth house was the Packet Boat Inn which was to be acquired by the
Corporation.
Dr. Carlile: Is it?
The Clerk: Don’t interrupt, please.
Continuing, the Town Clerk said notice to treat had been served and a
claim had been sent in. That house was being acquired because the site was
definitely required in connection with the lay-out scheme, and the Ministry had
confirmed an order which included that house but excluded the other three.
Mr. E.H. Philcox, a solicitor, then rose and asked permission to speak.
He stated that he represented a number of residents in the area: He wanted to address the Bench on the question of
the renewal of these licences.
The Clerk said he could not see any locus standi.
Mr. Philcox said when the matter did come before them again in
connection with the removals of these houses he would be there to object on
behalf of a number of residents. It did seem to him, however, that it would be
more satisfactory if they only provisionally renewed those licences that day. Amongst the
points he would make would be one on the grounds of redundancy.
Dr. Carlile said if the Magistrates were going to discuss this matter he
wished to point out that a considerable number of residents were interested in
these four houses and if there was any consideration of the question of the
renewal of these licences then they asked that their views might be considered
in reference to the question of redundancy. If the Magistrates were going to
refer them back no further word need be said now on the subject.
The Chief Constable said he received the Magistrates’ instructions at
their preliminary meeting in regard to the question of redundancy. He had found
some considerable difficulty in deciding. It was an established fact that there
were not too many licences in the borough for the summer trade, for all houses
did extremely well during the period, whether structurally adapted for the
purpose or not. One found that houses the least structurally fitted were doing
a better trade. They found more customers in these pokey houses. He supposed
there was a psychological reason for it. He had had a system since he had been
there of monthly visits and those visits gave him a line on what trade the
houses were doing. He had selected a number of houses and grouped them into
three groups.
The first group included the Mechanics Arms, the Honest
Lawyer, and the Harvey Hotel. He had taken comparative figures for the
year and these figures showed that the Honest Lawyer had an average of 19 customers
on every occasion they were visited; the Harvey Hotel 16, and the Mechanics
Arms six. They made a special series of visits
between January 17th and February 3rd and they found that
the Mechanics Arms had an average of five; the Harvey 10; and the Honest Lawyer
17. They would see from those figures that the figures were pretty well the
same for the whole year. It would appear superficially that of these three the
Mechanics Arms was the one to go.
He had another group made. It consisted of the Harbour Hotel, the True
Briton, the London and Paris and the Princess Royal. The figures for the year
showed an average of 28.5 for the Harbour Hotel; 17.5 for the True Briton; 46.5
for the London and Paris; and 7 for the Princess Royal. The licensee of the Princess Royal had
been there for 25 years and in spite of the figure he had mentioned they seemed
to be making a living somehow or other.
The Chief Constable mentioned a third group which included the Alexandra,
the Royal George' the South Foreland, the Wonder, the Pavilion Shades, the
Chequers, the Wellington, the Royal Oak and the Lifeboat. The two which were
doing the least trade, judged by' his figures, were the' Wonder with an average
of 12 and the Lifeboat with an average of 14. The others were not doing very
much better. It. was difficult to differentiate in that group. He was prepared to take directions from the Magistrates, but he was not
prepared to give any.
The Magistrates then retired.
The Chairman stated on their return that with reference to Dr. Carlile’s
question, the Bench had decided that later on he (the Chairman) should renew
all the licences with the exception of the Mechanics Arms, the licence of which
the Magistrates had decided not to renew that morning but refer to the
adjourned Sessions to have evidence of redundancy or otherwise.
Dr. Carlile: That means ho objection can be taken here and now or at any
other place to the four licences involved in the Radnor Street scheme?
The Chairman: I think now is the time for you to raise any objection.
The Clerk pointed out that there would be applications for the removals of
these licences later on and then anyone could be heard.
The Chairman: That will be the better time, then.
Dr. Carlile said it put them at a very serious disadvantage because the
licences would be granted again and there would only be the question of
removal. It meant that when it came to the question of removal of the licences,
it would be the removal of a licence which was already in being.
The Chairman: I am afraid that that is the position.
The Chairman then announced the renewal of all licences with the exception
of the Mechanics Arms, which he stated would be deferred until the adjourned
sessions.
Local News
The Folkestone Licensing
Magistrates on Wednesday, at the annual Licensing Sessions, granted an
application made on behalf of the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers’
Association that the permitted hours in Folkestone, Sandgate and Cheriton
should be extended to 10.30 p.m. during the period of Summer Time, which commences
on Sunday, April 21st, and ends on September 30th.
After the application had
been made by Mr. B.H. Bonniface on behalf of the Association, Dr. J.C. Carlile,
C.H., who was present with a large number of clergy and ministers, including
the Vicar of Folkestone (the Rev. Canon Hyla Holden), explained that whilst
they thought the application was a reasonable one, they asked the Bench to give
very careful attention to applications for extensions of individual licences.
Mr. Bonniface pointed out
to the Magistrates that they were entitled to vary the hours, and they could
add an extra half hour and make the number of opening hours eight and a half
instead of eight by fixing the closing time at 10.30 p.m. It was within their discretion
whether they made the period for the whole year or a part of it. It had been
decided that they were entitled to make an order for any period of eight weeks
and upwards. His application was to extend the 10 p.m. closing time to 10.30 p.m. for
the period of Summer Time. In the pas; the Magistrates had varied the hours
between June 1st and September 30th of each year, since the Association made
their first application some years ago. They had been told by the Chief Constable that there
had been no ill-effects from this extension in the past. The Magistrates had also granted
extensions during the period of the Easter holiday and the Whitsun holiday. In
a normal year Easter would not come within the period, although Whitsun would.
But when Easter was late, as it was this year, Easter fell within that
additional period, because Summer Time had been fixed to commence at 2 a.m. on
the third Sunday in April except when it fell on Easter Day, and then it
started on the second Sunday in April. There would be an additional week of
Summer Time this year. His application meant an extension of the old period by six weeks.
He represented practically
the whole of the licensed victuallers of the town; all except five who were not
members of the Association. The licensed victualler knew and should know what
hours the public liked best. He could have asked the Magistrates to vary the
hours to 6.3o p.m. to 10.30 p.m. all the year round. There might be objections
to that, but from the publicans’ and the public point of view there could be no
doubt that those
were the hours mostly desired by the public. He could name one seaside place where the hours had
been extended to 10.30 p.m. all the year round except during Summer Time when
there was an extra half hour’s extension to 11 p.m. Folkestone was a seaside place
and large numbers of visitors came to the town in the summer and also at such
holidays as Easter and Whitsun, and it was for that reason that the Magistrates
in the past had considered those periods as special occasions and they had
granted an extension up to 11 o'clock during those holiday week-ends. Mr. Bonniface pointed out that
from Dover to New Romney this extension to 10,30 p.m had been granted for the
period of Summer Time. Folkestone was in the middle and it would be greatly to
the advantage of the police to have one set time for the whole district.
Dr. Carlile then
addressed the Magistrates, stating that he represented himself and also a
large number of ratepayers and residents in the town. It had been agreed
between him and the Vicar and others that what they wished to say should be
said by him speaking on behalf of all of them. He informed the Magistrates that
he did not represent any temperance society; he represented individual ratepayers
and residents, and quite a considerable number of them, as their Worships
would discover on a later occasion. All he wanted to say that morning was that the application seemed to him
and his friends quite a reasonable one, and they
were not offering any opposition to the hours during Summer Time. They did,
however, want to put in a very strong plea that the Bench would exercise the
seriousness which was common to it when applications were made for extensions
of hours. The report made by the Chief Constable was rather alarming in some
respects, showing as it did the large number of extensions granted last year,
and some of them viewed with grave apprehension the growing practice in different
parts of the country of granting extensions where it seemed to those who lived
in the neighbourhood that those extensions were not desirable, and that objection sometimes
extended to municipally controlled premises. So far as the application then before the
Magistrates was concerned they had no objection.
The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes)
said there was a letter from, the Folkestone branch of the National British
Women’s Total Abstinence Union in which it was stated that the granting of this
later half hour was of great potential danger to motor drivers, and in the
general interests of the public was not desirable.
The Chairman of the
Licensing Magistrates, Mr. R. G. Wood, said the licensing justices would grant
the application Mr. Bonniface had made and would give a half-hour’s extension
for Summer Time during the ensuing year.
Folkestone
Express 13-4-1935
Local News
With the commencement of Summer time on Sunday the
hours for the sale of intoxicating drink will on weekdays be extended by half
an hour, the time of closing of licensed premises then being 10.30 p.m. instead
of ten o`clock.
Folkestone
Express 20-4-1935
Local News
At the Folkestone Police Court on Friday, before Mr.
R.G. Wood and other Magistrates, Mr. B.H. Bonniface, on behalf of 62 licensees
belonging to the Licensed Victuallers` Association in the borough, applied for
an order of exemption on May 6th. He said they all knew that on that
day were the King`s Jubilee celebrations, and he requested they grant a special
order of exemption allowing public houses to be open at 10 a.m., half an hour
earlier than usual, and to remain open until 3 p.m., which was half an hour
longer than usual. In the evening he applied for opening hours from 5 to 11.
There would be more people about the town and in the streets in consequence of
the celebrations.
The Chairman said he was inclined to think the
application to remain open until 3 p.m. might be reasonable, and also for the
extra half hour from 10.30 to 11 p.m. There would be no more visitors to the
town, as each town was having its own celebration.
Mr. Bonniface said the publicans would not ask for this
application if there was not a demand from the public. People would be out in
the streets more than they would be in the ordinary way. It would not mean
additional drinking but just that the premises would be open.
The Chairman said part of the application would be
granted, the extension from 2.30 to 3, and from 10.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Folkestone
Express 21-12-1935
Local News
An extension of the licensing hours for the Christmas
holidays and New Year`s Eve were granted by the Folkestone Magistrates on
Friday.
Mr. B.H. Bonniface made the application on behalf of
sixty five licensees, and the Magistrates granted an extension of the hours
from 10 to 11 p.m. on Monday, December 23rd, Christmas Eve, Boxing
Day, and New Year`s Eve,
On Tuesday similar applications made by other licensees
were granted.
Folkestone Express
15-2-1936
Annual Licensing Sessions
Folkestone, even with the increased licensed hours, during
the past year had a decrease of one in the cases of drunkenness, the total
being 23. This satisfactory state of affairs was disclosed at the Folkestone
Police Court at the annual licensing sessions on Wednesday when the Chief
Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented his annual report. The licence holders
were also congratulated on the manner in which they had conducted their
premises.
The Magistrates on the Bench were Mr. R.G. Wood, Dr. W.W.
Nuttall, Dr. F. Wolverson, Mr. F. Seager, Mr. R.J. Stokes, and Eng. Rear
Admiral L.J. Stephens.
The Chief Constable presented his report as follows: I have
the honour to present my thirteenth annual report relating to the
administration of the licensing laws within the borough for the year ending 31st
December, 1935.
Licensed Premises: There are 126 premises in the borough
licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, this number being made up as
follows: Full licences 75, beer on 10, beer off 5, beer and wine off 4, wine
and spirits off 10, beer and spirits off 5, beer and sweets off 4, wine on 3,
cider and sweets off 1, wine off 6, cider off 1, wine and spirits off 1. Total
126, 88 on licences and 38 off licences. This number shows one full licence
less than appeared on last year`s annual report, brought about by the fact that
when certain licensed premises were taken over from the County Police upon the
extension of the borough boundaries in 1934, the Royal Kent Hotel, Sandgate,
and the Royal Kent Tap, Sandgate, were shown as having two separate publicans`
licences. It was subsequently ascertained that there is but one licence for the
two premises.
Six Days` Licences: There are three such licences in the borough,
namely, Victoria Pier (alehouse licence), Messrs. Bobby`s (wine on), and 34,
Sandgate Road (wine on).
Occasional Licences: Sixty three occasional licences were
granted to licence holders to sell intoxicating liquor other than on their own
licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours: Eight hundred and seven
extensions have been granted to licence holders within the borough when
dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises, and on public
holidays, etc. This is 282 less extensions than were granted last year. I am
pleased to report that in no case has any abuse of this privilege been
reported.
Alterations to Licensed Premises: Structural alterations
were sanctioned by the Bench on the 6th March, 1935, to the Eagle
Tavern, Guildhall Street. On the 13th March, 1935, the Bench
approved plans for the Jubilee Inn, Radnor Street, to be re-built on a site 245
feet eastwards of where the old premises stood. The Packet Boat has been
demolished under the Radnor Street clearance scheme, and the licence of this
house has been transferred to the East Cliff Pavilion, a condition imposed by
the licensing Bench being that all drink supplied must be consumed on the
premises.
Proceedings Against Licence Holders: One licence holder was
reported for aiding and abetting another person to consume intoxicating liquor
on his premises after permitted hours. Both he and the consumer were summoned
and appeared before the Justices, the cases against them being dismissed. Two
other licence holders were reported to me for permitting the use of bagatelle
tables on their premises on Sundays, and these were officially cautioned.
Drunkenness: During the year 23 persons (19 males and four
females) were proceeded against in the Borough Court for drunkenness. These
were dealt with as follows: Convicted: Seven males and one female. Discharged:
Twelve males and three females. The persons proceeded against were: Residents:
Seven males and three females. Non-residents: Three males and one female. No
fixed abode: Nine males. The above cases include four charges of being drunk
whilst in charge of motor vehicles. The total figures for drunkenness show a
decrease of one as compared with the preceding year, when 15 persons were
convicted and nine discharged.
The report then gave a table for drunkenness in other towns
similarly situated to Folkestone, and was as follows: Folkestone, with a
population of 46,170, and the number proceeded against per 1,000 population was
equal to .49 percent; Hastings, 62,507 and .78; Dover 41,281 and .26; Gravesend
37,670 and .69; Canterbury 25,109 and .43; Newcastle-under-Lyme 54,742 and .40;
Chester 41,438 and .67; Scarborough 42,384 and .85; Bedford 42,606 and 1.21;
Ramsgate 34,422 and .61; Margate 40,307 and .66.
Proceeding, the Chief Constable said “As usual, Folkestone
is very well up in the table”.
Permitted Hours: At the General Annual Licensing Meeting on
the 13th February, 1935, the permitted hours, as allowed by the
Licensing Act, 1921, were fixed by the Licensing Justices for this borough as
under: Weekdays, from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. At the annual
licensing meeting on 13th February, 1935, the Licensing Justices
granted an extension of half an hour on weekdays, from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.,
under Section 1 (1) of the Licensing Act, 1921, for the period of Summer Time
(16th April to 6th October). This extension has been in
force during this period and no ill-effects have been observed. An abstract
showing the times and dates when drunkenness occurred is attached for the
information of the Justices.
Visits by Police to Licensed Premises: All licensed premises
have been periodically visited by my officers, and in three cases, as mentioned
earlier in this report, adverse reports have been received. Apart from this,
the conduct of licensed premises in the borough has been satisfactory. The
total number of visits during the year was 1,900.
Clubs: Thirty clubs where intoxicating liquor is sold are
registered under the Licensing Act. This is four more than were in existence
this time last year. During the year six new clubs were registered, and these
are shown on the following tables numbered 1 to 6. Two clubs are not being
registered this year, namely, the Kent County Club, 201, Sandgate Road, and the
Marine Bridge Club, Hotel Ambassador, The Leas.
Hotels: Seven hotels and three restaurants have authority
under Section III of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating liquor
with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely: Royal Pavilion
Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Princes Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Metropole
Hotel, Savoy Cafe, Astoria Restaurant, Queen`s Hotel, and 54, Tontine Street.
Authority was granted by the Licensing Justices in respect of the last two
named premises on 13th February, 1935.
Billiards Licences: There is no change in the number of
billiards licences in the borough, three premises being so licensed, namely;
No. 24, Rendezvous Street, the Fishermen`s Institute, in The Stade, and the
Queen`s Hall, Tontine Street. The last named hall was entered under a warrant
by police on the 12th September, 1935, which resulted in ten persons
being prosecuted. The manager was fined the sum of £5 for allowing the hall to
be used for the purpose of betting; another person, being a bookmaker, was
fined £15 for using the premises for betting; seven persons were bound over for
frequenting the hall for betting, and one was discharged.
Music and Dancing: Fifty six licences for music and dancing
have been granted or renewed during the year under the provisions of Part IV of
the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890. Of this number, 19 are for the use of
wireless for public entertainment in licensed premises.
In conclusion, I should once again like to express my
appreciation for the ever-ready courtesy and fairness extended to me by the
Bench during the year under review, and for the valuable assistance and advice
of your Clerk, Mr. Charles Rootes, which is always placed at my service. I
should also like to congratulate the licence holders on the way they have
conducted their houses.
The Chairman said he wished to thank the Chief Constable for
the report and say they thought it of a satisfactory nature. It redounded to
the credit of the licensees, and further to the town and the many visitors who
they had there during the season. There was no cause for much special comment
from him. With regard to the licence holders, the Magistrates were very pleased
to know they had been able again to manage a difficult business without any
infringement of the law. One case was brought against a licence holder, and it
was brought up there and dismissed, therefore no licensee had had a conviction
during the year. With regard to drunkenness, 23 persons were proceeded against,
or one less than the year before, and out of that number only ten of them were
residents of the borough. Folkestone was today very much larger now than a few
years ago, and the fact that only 23 persons were proceeded against and only
eight convicted redounded to the credit of the town and its visitors. He hoped
that the satisfactory conditions prevailing at present would continue in the
future.
The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said last year an extra half hour
was granted. That was a general order which stood permanently until the
Magistrates decided otherwise. He had had letters from three persons on the
matter. The general order was with regard to summer time, when there was the
extra half hour on weekdays.
The Chief Constable said that extension of half an hour had
not in any way resulted in increased drunkenness.
The Chairman said the Justices renewed all the licences, and
therefore no licence would be referred to the adjourned meeting. The conditions
on which they granted the licences twelve months ago gave the licensees an
extension of half an hour during the official summer time on weekdays, and that
would be continued until altered by the Justices on any subsequent occasion.
The Magistrates fixed the date for the adjourned licensing
sessions for Wednesday, March 11th.
Folkestone Herald
15-2-1936
Local News
A slight decrease in drunkenness and the excellent manner in which local
licensees had conducted their businesses during the past year were referred to
at the General Annual Licensing Sessions, which were held at the Town Hall on
Wednesday.
Mr. R.G. Wood presided, with Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Engineer Rear-Admiral
L.J. Stephens, Mr. F. Seager, Mr. R.J. Stokes, and Dr. P. Wolverson.
The report submitted by the Chief Constable (Mr. A. S. Beesley) was read
(See Folkestone Express for details).
The Chairman said the Licensing Justices wished him to thank the Chief
Constable for his very full report and say at the same time that they thought
it was of a very satisfactory character. They concurred with the Chief
Constable that the report redounded to the credit of the licensees of the town,
the residents and the many visitors they had in the borough during the season. He did not think the report called for
any special comment from him. With regard to the licence holders, they were
very pleased to know that they had been able to manage a difficult business
without any infringement of the law. Only one case had been brought before
them, and that had been dismissed, so there was no conviction against any
licence holder during the year. With regard to the number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness,
23, the total was one less than last year, and of that number only 10 were
residents. He
thought that they could all agree that a report showing that only 23 were
proceeded against for drunkenness redounded to the credit of the town and
their visitors. They hoped that that satisfactory condition of affairs would
continue in the future.
In
regard to hours, the Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said the hours fixed last year in
regard to a half-hour’s extension was in the form of a general order. He had
letters from three persons who thought that application had to be made each
year. That was not so, however. Last year the Magistrates had made a general
order, and until that order was altered the extra half hour would continue
during Summer Time.
The
Chief Constable said the Magistrates would see from the table showing the times
at which drunkenness occurred during the year that the extension of half an
hour was in no way responsible.
The Chairman said they unanimously agreed to renew the whole of the licences,
None would be referred to the adjourned meeting, but all renewed that morning,
and the condition which they granted licensees 12 months ago, allowing an
extra half- hour during Summer Time (Sunday, April 19th, to Sunday, October
4th, this year) would continue. It was a general order, and would continue
until it was altered by the Justices.
Editorial
Once again the Chief Constable has been able to present to
the Folkestone Licensing Magistrates a report that reflect credit upon the town
in general and upon the licensees of the borough in particular. At the Annual
Licensing Sessions on Wednesday it was stated that only eight persons out of 23
proceeded against had been convicted for drunkenness during the year and of
those proceeded against only ten were residents. Proceedings had been
instituted against licensees in only one case, and the Magistrates who heard
that case dismissed it. The old days of heavy drinking have happily passed
away; the drunken man today is a rarity, though cases still occur in which men
under the influence of drink, but not drunk, become quarrelsome and create
disturbances which, in themselves not serious, nevertheless require the
friendly intervention of a police officer. Licensees do not welcome the type of
customer whose toping habits make him a nuisance to himself and to others; they
prefer the man who drinks his drink in moderation. In recent years brewery
companies have in numerous cases carried out remodelling schemes in premises
owned by them. The ill-lighted, dingy premises have nearly gone; alterations,
improvements and extensions have been made, so that today the licensee is in
charge of premises of which he may be proud, attractive to his customers, and
equipped for their comfort and convenience. The bad old days of the drinking
den will never come back. One feature of the Chief Constable`s report which
gives cause for gratification is that no ill-effects had been observed by the
police as a result of the extension of permitted hours during the period of
Summer Time. Undoubtedly this extension is greatly appreciated both by visitors
and residents during a time of year when the town has large numbers of
visitors. The fact that licensees have conducted their houses in such a manner
as to satisfy the Magistrates that there has been no abuse of the privilege
reflects to their credit. The difficulties of the licensed trade are
well-known. Regulations are very numerous, and the licensee must be extremely
careful to see that none is transgressed, but in spite of all the difficulties
the conduct of almost all the houses has been such as to satisfy the Chief
Constable and the Licensing Magistrates.
Folkestone Express
11-4-1936
Local News
Mr. B. H. Bonniface, on
behalf of Mr. P. F. M. Booker and 65 other licensees, made an application at
the Folkestone Police Court on Friday for an extension of the permitted hours
for to-day (Thursday) , Saturday and Easter Monday.
It was, he said, one of
the very few years that he had to make the application, for summer time did
not start that year until after Easter.
The magistrates granted
an hour’s extension, from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m., on the three days.
Folkestone Express
13-2-1937
Annual Licensing Sessions
There were two cases of drunkenness less during the
past year before the magistrates than in the preceding year, the total number
being 23. No proceedings were taken against any license holder in the same
period. These facts were disclosed by the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) in
his annual report presented to the magistrates at the Folkestone annual
licensing sessions on Wednesday. Mr. R.G. Wood presided on the Bench.
The Chief Constable presented his report, which contained
the following details:-
Licensed Premises: There are 126 premises in the
Borough licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, this number being made up
as follows: Full licences 75 ; beer “on” 10; beer “off ” 5; beer and wine “off
” 4; beer, wine and spirits “off ” 10; beer and spirits “off ” 5; beer and
sweets “off ” 4; wine “on ” 3; cider and sweets “off ” 1; wine and cider “off ”
1; wine “off” 6; cider “off” 1; wine and spirits “off ” 1; total, 126, “on ”
licences 88, and “off” licences 38. The total number of licensed premises
shown above is the same as that given in last year’s annual report, and
although a full licence was
granted by the licensing justices on the 3rd April, 1936, to Dennis
F. Warren in respect of the proposed “Sun Ray Lounge” at the Victoria Pier,
these premises are not yet in existence.
Six Days’ Licences: There are three such licences
in the Borough, namely, the Victoria Pier (alehouse licence), Messrs. Bobby’s
(wine “on”), and 34, Sandgate Road (wine “on”).
Occasional Licences: Forty occasional licences were
granted to licence holders to sell intoxicating liquor other than on their own
licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours: Nine hundred and
eighty-two extensions have teen granted to licence holders within the Borough
when dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises, and on public
holidays, etc. This is 175 more extensions than were granted last year. I am
pleased to report that in no case has any abuse of this privilege been reported.
Proceedings against Licence Holders: It is pleasing
to report that during the year under review, no licence holders were proceeded
against for breaches of the licensing laws. Reports were submitted against two
licence holders, in one case the licensee not turning out sharply to time at 10
p.m., and in the other the licensee failing to exhibit the statutory notice
that the premises were licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor. Both were
officially cautioned.
Drunkenness: During the year 21 persons (17 males
and 4 females) were proceeded against in the Borough Police Court for
drunkenness. These were dealt with as follows: Convicted, 10 males and 2
females; discharged, 7 males and 2 females. The persons proceeded
against were: Residents, four males and one female, non-residents, six males,
and no fixed abode, one female. These figures do not include five persons
proceeded against under Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. The total
figures for drunkenness show a decrease of two as compared with the preceding
year, when eight persons were convicted and 15 discharged.
Permitted Hours.—At the general annual licensing
meeting on the 12th February, 1936, the permitted hours as allowed
by the Licensing Act, 1921, were fixed by the licensing justices for this
borough as under: Weekdays: From 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10
p.m. Sundays: From 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m. At the same meeting
mentioned above the licensing justices granted an extension of half-an-hour on weekdays, from 10 p.m. to
10.30 p.m. under Section 1 (1) of the Licensing Act, 1921, for the period of
summer time (19th April to 4th October). This extension
has been in force during the period stated, and no ill-effects have been observed.
An abstract, showing the dates and times when drunkenness occurred in the
borough, is attached for the information of the justices.
Visits by Police to Licensed Premises: All licensed
premises have been periodically visited by my officers, and in two cases, as
mentioned previously in my report, adverse reports have been received. Apart
from these, the conduct of licensed premises in the borough has been satisfactory.
The total number of visits during the year was 1,759.
Clubs: Thirty clubs where intoxicating liquor is
sold are registered under the Licensing Act. There is no change in the number
which was in existence the previous year, but one club, the Folkestone Bridge
Club, ceased to exist on the 8th January, 1936, and a new club, the New Kent Bridge Club, was registered on
the 2nd April, 1936. A report was submitted against the Secretary
of a club for allowing the consumption of intoxicating liquor after hours, and
he was officially cautioned.
Billiards Licences: There are two licensed billiard
halls in the borough. This is one less than last year, the Queen’s Billiard
Hall having closed down.
Music and Dancing: Fifty-nine licences for music
and dancing have been granted or renewed during the year under the provisions
of Part IV of the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890. Of this number, 29 are
for the use of wireless for public entertainment.
Conclusion: In conclusion, may I express my
gratification and thanks for the consistent co-operation and equity extended to
me by the Bench during the year under review, and for the valuable assistance
and advice always placed at my service by your Clerk, Mr. Charles Rootes.
The Chairman said it had been a privilege for some
years to be able to express the satisfaction of the Justices at The Chief
Constable’s report. This year it was no exception. He was happy to state the Justices
were very gratified at the character of the report, but, of course, the Chief
Constable had the assistance of the license holders, otherwise he could not
have given such a good report. It was pleasing to note that no proceedings had
been taken against a license holder. The magistrates recognised those people were
engaged in a business of some difficulty. They had no doubt they had had the
assistance of their customers. It was also gratifying to note that the persons
proceeded against for drunkenness was two less than last
year. They compared very favourably with other towns in Kent. That showed that
people came to the seaside to enjoy their holidays, and they did not go to that
excess they used to in days gone by. It was not necessary to say that they
hoped those satisfactory conditions would continue.
The Chairman said no licences were referred to the
adjourned licensing sessions on the ground of redundancy or any other ground.
All the publicans` licences as well as the other licences would be renewed.
Folkestone Herald 13-2-1937
Annual Licensing Sessions
No fewer than 982 extensions were granted to
licence holders in the Borough by the Folkestone Magistrates during the last
year, an increase of 175 over the previous year.
This fact was revealed in the Annual Report
presented by the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) to the Licensing Justices
at the General Annual Licensing Sessions at the Town hall on Wednesday. Mr.
R.G. Wood presided, and also present were Dr. F. Wolverson, Alderman Mrs. E.
Gore, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, Mr. R.J. Stokes,
Alderman W. Hollands, and Mr. A.E. Pepper.
The Chief Constable presented his annual report
(for details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman of the Licensing Bench said it had
been his privilege for some years past to express the satisfaction of the
Licensing Justices with the Chief Constable’s report with regard to licensing
matters, and this year was no exception to what had gone before he was happy to
state. The Justices were very gratified at the character of the report. Of
course the Chief Constable had had the assistance of the licence holders,
otherwise he could not have given such a good report, and it was very pleasing
to note that no proceedings had been taken against any licence holder during the past
year. In connection with that, he thought he might repeat what he had said in
previous years. The Justices recognised that licensees were engaged in a business
of some difficulty and they had done well to be able to conform to all the
rules and regulations. The Justices had no doubt that the licensees had had the assistance of
their customers as well. It was also gratifying to note that persons proceeded against for
drunkenness were two fewer than the previous year. Folkestone also compared
very favourably with other towns in Kent. He thought it was a very good sign that Ramsgate,
Margate and Folkestone, the three big seaside resorts of the county, were so
close to each other with regard to convictions for drunkenness. Folkestone had not quite got on top by
one; Ramsgate had 11 convictions, Folkestone 12 and Margate 13. This was very satisfactory from a
general point of view and it showed that the people who came to the seaside to
enjoy their holidays did not go to that excess they did in years gone by. The Licensing Justices hoped this very
satisfactory condition of things would continue.
The Chairman said no licences would be referred to
the adjourned sessions this year on the grounds of redundancy or any other
grounds, and all the licences were renewed for the coming year.
Folkestone Express
20-3-1937
Local News
Mr. B.H. Bonniface at the Folkestone Police Court
on Friday applied for extended licensing hours over the Easter holidays on
behalf of Mr. Booker of the East Kent Arms and 66 other licensees. He asked for
extensions of hours from 10 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 25th,
Saturday, March 27th and Monday, March 29th. His
application was granted.
Folkestone Herald
24-4-1937
Local News
Folkestone’s
Coronation drink hours were fixed by the Magistrates on Tuesday. Following an application by 64
licensees, the Justices agreed to an extra half hour’s extension throughout
Coronation Week, from 10.30 - 11 p.m., except on Coronation Day, when licensed
premises will be open from 10.30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. The
extension also includes an extra half hour on Whit Monday, May 17th.
The Magistrates were Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Aldermen Mrs.
E. Gore and G.A. Gurr, Mr. S.B. Corser, and Mr. R.J. Stokes.
The application was made by Mr. B. H. Bonniface,
who said: I need not enlarge on it being a special occasion during that week. I
am asking you to grant an extra half hour on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
and Saturday and Whit Monday, and on Coronation Day I am asking that you
permit the opening of licensed premises from 10.30 in the morning until 3 p.m., and from 5
o’clock in the afternoon until midnight. I don’t want to enlarge upon my application. We
have always applied to you and received every consideration and, of course,
you will bear in mind that so far as Friday, Saturday and Whit Monday are
concerned, I am asking for what you have in the past always granted to us. It
is practically identical to what has been granted in Hastings; not quite as
much as has been granted in Eastbourne, and identical to what has been granted in
Brighton.
Local News
Six licensees appeared before the Folkestone
Magistrates yesterday and were granted similar extensions for Coronation Week
as those given to 64 other licensees on Tuesday.
Folkestone Express
18-12-1937
Local News
At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday the
magistrates considered the question of the extension of the licensing hours
during the festive season.
Mr. B. H. Bonniface said he applied for the
extension of the permitted hours for a number of licences in the Borough during
Christmas and the New Year. He appeared for 66 licensed victuallers, whose
names he had supplied to the Clerk of the Court and the Police. That year, probably to their surprise,
he was not applying for the extension on four days as he had done during the
previous two years. He was applying in respect of three days, Christmas Eve,
Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve, and that the extension should be from 10 to 11
o’clock on each night. When he had previously made the application they had
held that such days were special occasions.
The Chairman (Councillor R. G. Wood) said the
application would be granted, therefore there would be extensions on the three
nights.
Folkestone Express
12-2-1938
Annual Licensing Sessions
The annual licensing sessions for Folkestone
were held at the Police Court on Wednesday, when the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S.
Beesley) presented his annual report, from which it appeared that although
there was an increase in the number of cases of drunkenness, only three of them
concerned residents of the whole of the borough. A satisfactory feature was
that the licence holders had conducted their premises exceedingly well and no
proceedings had been taken against any of them.
The Magistrates on the Bench were Councillor
R.G. Wood, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, Alderman Mrs. E.
Gore, Alderman W. Hollands, Alderman J.W. Stainer, Mrs. Saunders, Mr. P.
Fuller, Miss Grace Broome-Giles, and Alderman G.A. Gurr.
The Chief Constable presented his report as
follows: I have the honour to present my fifteenth annual report relating to
the administration of the licensing laws within the borough for the year ending
31st December, 1937.
Licensed Premises: There are 126 premises in
the borough licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, as follows: Full
licences, 75; beer “on”, 10; beer “off”, 5; beer and wine “off”, 4; beer, wine
and spirits “off” 10; beer and spirits “off”, 5; beer and sweets “off”, 4; wine
“on”, 3; cider and sweets “off”, 1; wine and cider “off”, 1; wine “off”, 6;
cider “off”, 1; wine and spirits “off”, 1. Total, 126. “On” licences 88, and
off licences 38. The premises known as 117, Dover Road, in respect of which
Charles Henry Aylett holds a wine and spirits off licence, have been empty
since the 6ht February, 1937, and the licence would therefore appear to be
redundant. I recommend that the licence be not renewed.
Six Days` Licences: There are still three such
licences in the borough, as follows: Victoria Pier (alehouse licence), Messrs.
Bobby and Co. (wine on), and 34, Sandgate Road (wine on).
Occasional Licences: Twenty four occasional
licences, in respect of 39 days, were granted to licence holders to sell
intoxicating liquor other than on their own licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours: One thousand,
four hundred and eighty extensions have been granted to licence holders within
the borough. This is 498more extensions than were granted last year, due to the
large number of extensions being granted during Coronation week. In no case has
any abuse of this privilege been observed.
Alterations to Licensed Premises: Structural
alterations were sanctioned by the Bench on the 26th May to The
Lifeboat.
Licences Transferred: The following licences
were transferred during the year: Raglan Tavern, from Richard Stanley to Lewin
A. Hall; Martello Hotel, from Albert W. Bridges to Ronald Chapman; East Kent
Arms, from Percy F. Booker to Dorothy Funnell; Two Bells, from Henry W. Drye to
William Reeves; Black Bull Hotel, from William Jackson to Arthur E. Lacey;
Pavilion Shades, from Edward Bishopp (exor.) to John Bishopp.
Drunkenness: During the year 30 persons (26 males and four
females) were proceeded against in the borough Police Court for drunkenness. These
were dealt with as follows: Convicted, 12 males and four females; discharged,
14 males. The persons proceeded against were: Residents, three males; non-residents, 14
males and three females; no fixed abode, nine males and one female. These
figures do not include six persons proceeded against under Section 15 of the Road
Traffic 1930. The total figures for drunkenness show an increase of nine as
compared with the preceding year, when twelve persons were convicted and nine
discharged. The following table gives particulars of drunkenness in other town
similarly situated to Folkestone: Folkestone, 46,170 population, and number
proceeded against per 1,000 of population .64; Margate, 40,307 and .69;
Hastings, 65,207 and .82; Scarborough, 42,384 and .78; Dover, 41,281 and .65.
Permitted Hours: At the general annual licensing
meeting on the 10th February, 1937, the permitted hours, as allowed
by the Licensing Act, 1921, were fixed by the Licensing Justices for this
borough as under: Weekdays from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 10
p.m. Sundays, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. At the same
meeting mentioned above, the Licensing Justices granted on extension of half an hour on weekdays,
from 10 p.m. until 10.30 p.m., under Section 1 (1) of the Licensing Act. 1921, for the
period of summer time (18th April until 3rd October).
This extension has been in force during the period stated, and no ill effects
have been observed.
Visits by Police to Licensed Premises: The same
strict supervision has been exercised by my officers. Only one adverse report
has been received. This was dealt with by a caution. Apart from this the conduct of all
licensees in the borough has been satisfactory. The total number of visits
during the year was 1,393.
Clubs: Thirty two clubs, where intoxicating liquor
is sold, are registered under the Licensing Act. This is an increase of two in
the number which was in existence the previous year, the new clubs being the
Grand Hotel Sports Club, Oxford House, Oxford Terrace, commenced on the 6th
March, and the Comrades of the Royal Air Forces Association (Folkestone) Club,
24, Guildhall Street, commenced on the 19th October. Two clubs were
visited under a search warrant and as a result twelve persons were summoned for
breaches of the Licensing Act, six being convicted and six discharged. One club
made application for a certificate under Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, and this
was refused
Hotels: Eight hotels and three restaurants have
authority under Section III of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating
liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely: Royal
Pavilion Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Queen`s Hotel, Savoy Cafe, 54,
Tontine Street, Grand Hotel, Princes Hotel, Metropole Hotel, Royal Kent Hotel,
and Astoria Restaurant. There is no alteration in the number of premises
possessing this authority over last year. One club applied for a certificate on
the 10th February, but this application was not granted by the
Licensing Justices.
Billiards Licences: There are two
licensed billiard halls in the borough, namely: 24, Rendezvous Street and the
Fishermen’s Bethel in The Stade. This is the same number as last year.
Music and Dancing: Sixty two licences for music and
dancing have been granted or renewed during the year, under the provisions of
Part IV of the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890. Of this number, 20 are for
the use of wireless for public entertainment.
Conclusion: I cannot conclude my report without
expressing my thanks to the Bench for their continued co-operation and
impartiality during the past year, and to Mr. Charles Rootes, your learned
Clerk, who is ever ready to help and advise, neither can I deny my tribute of
appreciation to the licensees, and to the members of the public generally, for
their assistance to Police in carrying out the provisions of the Licensing
Acts.
The Chairman said lie was instructed by the Licensing
Justices to say that it was a good report and that was repenting what he had
said for some years. It was not up to what it had been and he wished to comment
on two features. There were 1,430 extensions of licences. The magistrates had
been very liberal about them and they were pleased to know from the report that
the privileges had not been abused. One of the two features that were not so
satisfactory was in regard to the proceedings against people for drunkenness.
Thirty persons had been proceeded against during the year, as compared with 21
last year, or nearly 50 per cent increase. That was not peculiar to Folkestone,
for increases had been taking place over the whole of the country. He was sure
that Bench, in common with other Benches, hoped that would not continue. There
was, however, one feature about the number of cases, and that was that only
three of them concerned residents of the borough. They were quite pleased that
there were only three residents before them. They were also glad to note when
compared with Margate, Hastings, Scarborough and other places Folkestone was at
the top of the list for the lowest number of prosecutions with regard to the
number of the population. He might say it was very interesting to find that the
police paid 1,313 visits to licensed houses and the conduct of all the
licensees had been satisfactory. There had been no proceedings taken against
one licensee, and the Chief Constable had only had to warn one. He offered the
licensees the congratulations of the Licensing Justices on the fact that they
had been able to conduct such a difficult business for another year without
infringing the licensing laws. They had 32 clubs in the borough against 88
fully licensed houses. The former number was two more than last year. Clubs
were continually on the increase. They had thought that before now they would
have had some legislation to reduce the disparity between the clubs and the
licensed houses, but nothing had happened so far. He felt with others that such
legislation was overdue. The time must be near at hand when clubs would be put
on rather a different footing than they were today. Reverting to the number of
prosecutions for drunkenness, he had an idea that the Coronation had something
to do with the increase, for he saw there were six convictions in May, and that
was a big proportion for each month. He hoped next year the Chief Constable
would give them a report which would show a decrease in the number.
The Chief Constable said with regard to the cases
of non-residents most of them were of the roadster type. He would like to ask
the public to refrain from indiscriminate charity to such people, who were a
continual nuisance and annoyance. Well-disposed persons assisted such people in
the hope that they would buy food,
but they bought drink. There were many charitable objects who would assist such
people, so he did ask charitably disposed people not to give indiscriminately.
The Chairman then announced that all the licences
would be renewed.
Folkestone Herald
12-2-1938
Annual Licensing Sessions
During the past year 30 persons were proceeded
against for drunkenness at Folkestone, but only three were residents, it was
stated at the annual Folkestone Licensing Sessions, held at the Town Hall on
Wednesday.
The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley)
referring to this feature of his report, asked the public not to give
indiscriminately to people of the roadster type who called at their doors. He stated
that people gave these callers money to buy food, but instead they obtained
drink.
The Chairman of the Licensing Justices
(Councillor R.G. Wood) presided and there were also present Dr. W.W. Nuttall,
Engineer Rear-Admiral L.J. Stephens, Alderman Mrs. E. Gore, Alderman W.
Hollands, Alderman J.W. Stainer, Mrs. R.L.T. Saunders, Mr. P. Fuller, Miss G.
Broome Giles and Alderman G.A. Gurr.
The Chief Constable presented his annual
report (for details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman said he was asked by the
Licensing Justices to say that they considered the report a good one. That was
repeating what he had said for a good many years now. The report, however, was
not quite up to preceding ones, there being two features which were not as
satisfactory as last year. During the past year there had been 1,430
extensions; the Magistrates had been very liberal in granting them, and they
were pleased to note what the Chief Constable had said – no abuse of that
privilege had been observed. One of the features which was not so satisfactory was the increase in
drunkenness. The report showed that some 30 persons were proceeded against as
compared with 21 during the previous year, an increase of nearly 50 per cent. That increase
was not peculiar to Folkestone; he had noticed it had been occurring all over
the country. They were better off than some towns, however, because only three
of the 30 were residents. They were also glad to know that when comparisons
were made with other towns they had the lowest number in regard to population. The Chairman
said notwithstanding the fact that the police had paid 1,393 visits to licensed
premises during the year, the conduct of all licensees in the borough had been
satisfactory, the police only having to warn one. He offered his
congratulations to the licensees generally on the fact that they had been able
to conduct a rather difficult business for another year without infringing the
Licensing Law. There were 32 clubs as compared with 88 full “on” licences in the town.
Two more clubs had been added during the year; these clubs were continually on
the increase. They had expected that by now they would have had some legislation passed to
reduce the disparity between the number of clubs and licences but nothing had
yet been put into law. He felt, with others, that that legislation was overdue. The time must
be near at hand when clubs were put on rather a different footing from what
they were today, more in line and more under that control which was exercised
over other licensees.
Referring again to drunkenness, the Chairman
said he had an idea that the Coronation celebrations had had something to do
with the increase. There was a considerable increase in May and it would appear
that some persons had celebrated the Coronation rather too well.
The Chief Constable said with regard to the
number of non-residents proceeded against for drunkenness, they were mostly of
the roadster type, and he would like to ask the public generally to refrain
from indiscriminate charity because these men wore a continual source of
trouble and annoyance to the police. People helped them in the hope that they
would buy food, but instead they bought drink. He did ask the public not to
give indiscriminately to people who came to their doors.
Folkestone Express
17-12-1938
Local News
Sixty six Folkestone licensees were granted an
hour’s extension of the permitted hours from 10 to 11 p.m. on Friday,
December 23rd, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve by the
Folkestone magistrates on Friday.
Mr.
B.H. Bonniface, who made the application, said all the hotels were booked up
for the holiday.
The Chairman said the magistrates renewed all
the licences, and there would be no alteration in the licensed hours from those
of last year.
Folkestone Express
11-2-1939
Annual Licensing Sessions
There was a decrease of six
cases of drunkenness before the Magistrates during last year, the total number
being 24 as against 30 in 1937. There were no proceedings against any licence
holder during the twelve months. These were the main features presented by the
Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) in the annual report he submitted to the Magistrates
at the annual licensing sessions at the Folkestone Police Court
on Wednesday, when the Chairman (Councillor R.G. Wood) offered congratulations
upon such a satisfactory state of affairs.
The other magistrates on
the Bench were Mr. A.E. Pepper, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman Mrs. E. Gore, Mr. R.J.
Stokes, Dr. F. Wolverson, Alderman W. Hollands, Mr. S.B. Corser, Alderman J.W.
Stainer and Mr. P. Fuller.
The Chief Constable (Mr.
A.S. Beesley) presented his report, which contained the following among other
details:
Licensed Premises: There
are 126 premises in the borough licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor,
as follows: Full licences 75 ; beer “on” 10; beer “off” 5; beer and wine “off”
4; beer, wine and spirits “off” 10; beer and spirits “off” 5; beer and sweets
“off” 4; wine “on” 3, cider and sweets “off” 1; wine and cider “off” 1; wine
“off” 6; cider “off” 1; wine and spirits “off” 1; Total: “on” licences 88 and
“off” licences 38.
Six Day Licences: There
are still three such licences in the borough, namely: Victoria Pier (alehouse
licence), Messrs. Bobby and Co. (wine “on”), and 34, Sandgate Road (wine “on”).
Extension of Licensing
Hours: 797 extensions have been granted to licence holders within the borough.
This is 683 less extensions than were granted last year, due mainly to the fact
that 1937 was Coronation year. No ill effects have been observed.
Occasional Licences: Thirty-three
occasional licences, in respect of 71 days, were granted to licence holders to
sell intoxicating liquor other than on their own premises.
Drunkenness: During the
year 24 persons (21 males and 3 females) were proceeded against in the
Borough Police Court for drunkenness. These were dealt with as follows:
Convicted nine males and one female; discharged, 12 males and two females. The
figures shown include two males convicted and three males discharged for
methylated spirit, drinking. The persons proceeded against are classified as
follows: Residents, ten males and one female; non-residents, one male; no fixed
abode, seven males and two females; soldiers, three. This compares favourably
with 30 persons (26 males and four females) proceeded against in 1937. The
figures do not include one person proceeded against under Section 15 of the
Road Traffic Act, 1930.
Permitted Hours: At the
annual general licensing meeting on the 9th February, 1938, the permitted
hours, as allowed by the Licensing Act, 1921, were fixed by the Justices for
the borough as under: Weekdays, from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to
10 p.m.; Sundays, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. At the same
meeting the Licensing Justices granted an extension of half-an-hour on
weekdays, from 10 p m. until 10.20 p.m., under Section 1 (1) of the Licensing
Act, 1921, for the period of Summer Time (10th April until 2nd
October, 1938). This extension has been
in force during the period defined, and no ill-effects have been observed. An
abstract, showing the dates and times when drunkenness occurred in the borough,
is attached for the information of the Justices.
Visits by Police to
Licensed Premises: Strict supervision of licensed premises has continued to be
exercised by my officers. With the exception of three adverse reports, one for
which proceedings are pending, and the other two dealt with by caution, the
conduct of all licensees has been satisfactory. The total number of visits
during the year was 1,018.
Clubs: There are now 29
clubs where intoxicating liquor is sold, and which are registered under the
Licensing Act. This is a decrease of three in the number in existence the
previous year.
New Clubs: The Circle
Restaurant Club, Sandgate Road, on 6th April, 1938; the East Kent Road Car
Company Social Club, Kent Road, Cheriton, Folkestone, on 12th
December, 1938.
Clubs Ceasing to Exist: The
Crescent Club, the Optimist Hockey Club, Highciiffe Billiards Club, Lister’s Club
(struck off), and Folkestone Sporting Club. One Club was visited under a search
warrant, and proceedings were taken against 10 persons for breaches of the
Licensing Act. Of these three were convicted and seven discharged, while the
Club was ordered by the Justices to be struck off the register.
Hotels: There are eight
hotels and three restaurants authorised under Section 3 of the Licensing Act,
1921, to supply intoxicating liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on
weekdays. There is no alteration in the number of premises possessing this
authority over last year.
Billiards Licences: There are two licensed
billiard halls in the borough, as follows: 24, Rendezvous Street, and the
Fishermen’s Bethel, in the Stade, this number being the same as last year.
Music and Dancing:
Sixty-five licences for music and dancing have been granted or renewed during
the year, under the provisions of Part IV of the Public Health (Amendment) Act,
1890. Of this number, 22 are for the use of wireless for public
entertainment.
Conclusion.—My report
would not be complete without some reference to the admirable cohesion which
exists between Police and Bench, whose impartial discrimination during the
past year has tended so much towards harmonious relations, or without some
mention of the valuable advice and assistance proffered by your learned Clerk,
Mr. Charles Rootes, at all times, and finally to the licensees and members of
the public, whose practical observance of the licensing laws so materially
lightens the task of the police in their work.
The Chairman said the
Justices had instructed him to say that they were gratified with the contents
of the report, and cases in which proceedings had been taken had shown a
decrease, 24 that year against 30 last year. They also noted with great
satisfaction that half of that 24 were not residents of the borough. The summer
extension was not responsible for any of the cases. The Justices also noted
that the number of clubs were not on the increase, but that there was a
decrease of three on the year. Then the matter of the conduct of all licences
was very satisfactory, and proceedings had not been taken against any,
licensee during the past year. That showed that the licensees had done well in
conducting a difficult business successfully.
Folkestone Herald
11-2-1939
Annual Licensing Sessions
Satisfaction was expressed by the Folkestone
Licensing Justices at the report submitted by the Chief Constable at the annual
Licensing Sessions held at the Town hall on Wednesday. The report showed that
during 1938 there had been a decrease in the number of persons proceeded
against for drunkenness, and also that proceedings had not been taken against
any licensee during the year.
The Magistrates were: Councillor R.G. Wood, Mr. A.E.
Pepper, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman Mrs. E. Gore, Alderman J.W. Stainer, Alderman
W. Hollands, Dr. P. Wolverson, Mr. R.J. Stokes, Mr. S.B. Corser and Mr. P.
Puller.
The Chief Constable presented his annual report
(for details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman expressed the thanks of the Justices for the
report and added that he was instructed to say that they were very grateful at
its contents, noting with satisfaction that the number of cases in which
proceedings had been taken for drunkenness had decreased from 30 to 24 during
the year. They also noted with great pleasure that not half of those 24 were
residents of the borough. So far as he could see, the extension of hours during
the summer months was not responsible for any of the cases. The Justices also
noted with satisfaction that the number of clubs was not on the increase. They
were inclined to think that they had enough for a town of Folkestone`s size,
and they were glad to note the number was three fewer. The conduct of all the
licensees had been satisfactory. He believed it was a fact that no proceedings
had been taken against any licensee during 1938. They were gratified to know
that, because it showed that the licensees had succeeded in conducting their
difficult business successfully.
The Magistrates renewed all licences and also
agreed that there should be no alteration In the permitted hours, the half-hour’s
extension from 10 o'clock to 10.30 p.m. to be allowed during the months of Summer
Time as heretofore.
Folkestone Express
1-4-1939
Local News
Mr. B.H. Bonniface applied for one hour`s extension of
licensed hours at the Folkestone Police Court on Friday for Thursday, 6th
April, Saturday, 8th April, and Monday, 10th April, on
behalf of 65 licensees in the borough. The Chairman (Dr. W.W. Nuttall) said
that the extensions would be granted.
Folkestone Express
7-10-1939
Local News
There has been considerable conjecture as to
how the extension of summer time would effect the hours of licensed houses,
which now have the usual half hour’s summer time extension. The matter
was cleared up by the Chairman of the Licensing Justices (Councillor R.G. Wood)
at the quarterly Transfer Sessions held on Wednesday at the Folkestone Police
Court.
Councillor Wood said summer time was going to
be extended for some purposes by the Government, but that did not affect the
order made by the justices at The Brewster Sessions. This was that the opening
time should be the same as in previous years. The usual summer time expires on
Saturday night. This means that the closing time on and after Sunday
will be 10 p.m. instead of 10.30.
Folkestone Express
16-12-1939
Local News
On Tuesday at the Folkestone Police Court the
licensed victuallers were granted an hour extension at night on the Friday and
Saturday before Christmas Day. The magistrates on the Bench were Councillor
R.G. Wood, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, Mr. A.E. Pepper, Alderman W. Hollands, Eng.Rear-Admiral
L.J. Stephens, Alderman J.W. Stainer and Miss G. Broome-Giles.
Mr. B.H. Bonniface said he appeared on behalf
of 69 licensees in the Borough, but he did not make his usual application on
that occasion. It had always been the custom to make the application that on four
days they should be granted one hour’s extension, from ten to eleven o’clock.
That year he was instructed to ask for one hour's extension on December 22nd
and 23rd, the Friday and Saturday immediately before Christmas. The
reason they asked for that was that during that week all restrictions regarding
the hours of the closing of shops had been suspended and shops could open for
as long as they liked. The licensees felt that on the Friday and Saturday people would be
shopping late in the town, and they hoped that quite a number of people would
be also coming to the town. They therefore asked that they would grant that
extension for those two days, and they were not asking for Boxing Day.
The Chairman said the one hour extension would be
granted for Friday and Saturday before Christmas Day.
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