Updates

8th February, 2014: Folkestone Daily News Reports for 1914 added

General Licensing Notes 1910 - 1914

Folkestone Express 21-5-1910

Local News

The members of the Licensed Victuallers` Association have decided to close their premises on the day of the late King`s funeral from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The time of closing applies to the public houses in Folkestone, Sandgate, Seabrook, Hythe, and Cheriton.

Folkestone Daily News 10-4-1913

Local News

On Monday afternoon a meeting of the leading licence holders of the town was held at the Guildhall Hotel. Mr. G. Kirby presided.

Mr. Councillor Jones explained the extraordinary action taken by the Assessment Committee and the unjust and irregular way in which their proceedings were carried out. He said that as a ratepayer he objected to be mulcted in expenses increasing the rates by the bungling of certain individuals who were actuated by fads and bias more than by common sense. It was a notorious fact that on every appeal that had been made against the Elham Union Assessment Committee`s award, the appellants had been successful, and the ratepayers had lost and been mulcted in costs. If valuations were to be made and assessments increased, they should be made by practical experts, and not by amateurs or interested persons.

 

Several members spoke and gave their experiences in connection with the Assessment Committee`s vagaries.

It was unanimously resolved to appeal against the assessments as shown below, which were increased in this extraordinary manner.

The following list was also produced showing the assessment of all licensed premises in the borough.

Gross/Rateable

Agnes Inn 40 32

Alexandra Hotel 80 64

Alexandra Tavern 19 15

Bathing Establishment (all in) 170 100

Belle Vue 30 24

Black Bull 175 140

Bodega (Queen`s Hotel, all in) 850 680

Bouverie Arms 70 56

Bouverie Hotel 125 100

Bradstone Tavern 50 40

Brewery Tap 100 80

British Lion 40 32

Castle Inn 70 56

Chequers Inn 35 28

Clarence Hotel 95 75-10

Clarendon Hotel 150 120

Eagle Tavern 65 52

Earl Grey 45 36

East Cliff Tavern 50 40

East Kent Arms 100 80

Foresters Arms 75 60

George 60 48

George the Third 35 28

Globe 50 40

Granville Inn 24 19

Guildhall Vaults 170 136

Gun Tavern 70 56

Harbour Hotel 70 56

Harvey Hotel 105 84

Honest Lawyer 30 24

Imperial Hotel 120 96

Isle of Cyprus 36 28-10

Jubilee Inn 45 36

Lifeboat Inn 20 16

Lord Nelson 30 24

London and Paris Hotel 160 128

Martello Hotel 55 44

Mechanics Arms 35 28

Morehall Hotel 65 52

Oddfellows Arms 40 32

Oddfellows Inn 30 24

Packet Boat 38 30

Pavilion Hotel Refreshment Room 76 60-10

Pavilion Shades 60 48

Prince of Wales 40 32

Prince Albert Hotel 80 64

Princess Royal 60 48

Raglan Hotel 45 36

Railway Tavern 50 40

Railway Bell 115 92

Railway Hotel, Coolinge Lane 75 60

Red Cow 75 60

Richmond Tavern 32 25-10

Rose Hotel 145 116

Royal Norfolk Hotel 180 144

Royal Oak Inn 25 20

Royal George 70 56

Royal Standard 35 28

Shakespeare Hotel 130 104

Ship Inn 40 32

South Foreland 90 72

Sportsman Tavern 35 28

Star and Garter 35 28

Swan Hotel 75 69

True Briton 75 69

Two Bells 40 32

Victoria Hotel 200 160

Wellington 36 29

West Cliff Shades 150 120

Wheatsheaf 32-10 26

Wonder Tavern 45 36

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who congratulated those present on combining together to fight this un-Englishlike attack upon their trade.

Folkestone Daily News 1-1-1914

The Licensing Bench – A retrospect for 1913

There has been little to discuss on licensing matters. No charge, worth speaking of, has been made against the whole trade, and the Chief Constable has said in open Court, from time to time, that the houses are well conducted, which statement, from our intimate knowledge, we endorse.

At the last licensing sessions seven houses were notified on the plea of redundancy, not that there was any reason why they should be deprived of their licences, except by the provisions of the present idiotic Licensing Act a large amount of the compensation revenue had accumulated, this being extorted from the struggling trade, and had to be disposed of.

However, the local licensing justices, on hearing the cases against these houses, recommended two for further consideration by the County Bench. One case was heard at the preliminary meeting, and the licence was not interfered with. The second case was heard at the East Kent Sessions, and ordered to be closed. It appeared to those present that the justices were more influenced by the sanitary defects of the building than the compensation question.

In conclusion we reiterate our previous remarks that the Folkestone justices, with all their shortcomings, are far ahead of any court of summary jurisdiction in the county. They have not been pilloried for many years, neither have their decisions been successfully appealed against, or has it been necessary to petition the Home Secretary for remission of any sentence. There is room for improvement, and we feel sure they will continue on that course. We should like to congratulate the Town Council in a similar manner.

Folkestone Daily News 10-7-1914

Comment

We have not been able to comment on the action of the authorities on the licensing question for some time past, as the matter of the Lord Nelson was sub judice, and during our many years` connection with the press of Folkestone we have never descended to deal with matters sub judice, or influencing one way or the other any judicial decision.

The matters are now settled, and hence we consider ourselves free to criticise the action taken by the licensing authorities. In 1913, seven houses were scheduled on the score of redundancy. To our mind not a tittle of evidence affecting the question was brought in support of those houses, with the result that five out of the seven were disposed of by the local justices, leaving two to be further considered at the Canterbury Quarter Sessions. That body met before the Sessions and returned the Lord Nelson, referring the Cyprus to the Quarter Sessions. They refused it more for sanitary reasons than on the score of redundancy.

The case of the Lord Nelson did not differ in 1914 from that of 1913, yet the county licensing authorities said on Wednesday exactly the reverse to that which they stated a year ago. No explanation was given why they altered their decision.

It is not our province to differ from the justices, either county or town, but we are entitled to say that erratic decisions, peculiar and inconsistent conduct, inflict a very great hardship on those who are interested in the trade. If the local licensing justices say that seven houses ought to be referred on the score of redundancy in 1913, and there is no difference in 1914, and they are content to say that only one house is in excess of those required, reasonable men, unbiased by any interests or sentiment, cannot understand their action. Neither can they understand the county licensing authorities altering their mind from one year to another without giving any reason.

The licensing trade is a legitimate business, and public houses should be properly and fairly dealt with by the State the same as any other property. While the proprietors of licensed property and the tenants of the same are harassed and kept on tenterhooks by such erratic conduct on the part of those whom the Legislature has entrusted to carry out the provisions of the Licensing Act, what chance is there for genuine improvement of either property or tenants?

In the olden days a man invested his savings and took a licensed house. He whole of his interests were bound up in the same, and as a rule he had decided to end his days in his house. He took a pride in the same, a pride in his customers, and the characteristics of his business. Our memory takes us back to numbers in Folkestone and in other places who have been honoured and respected citizens, intelligent far above the average, broad-minded in the extreme, good husbands, sons and fathers, maintaining self-respect themselves and commanding self-respect from others.

These men are being ruthlessly swept out of their business by cranks, faddists and fanatics, who lack intelligence, foresight, and statesmanship. The community is suffering from the loss of such men, who were a national asset, not now to be replaced.

The whole country furnishes object lessons similar to Folkestone. The professed intention of the Temperance faddist seems to be that of increasing Temperance or reducing drunkenness. This was their pretence. Were they ever sincere, or are they sincere now? The tendency of present legislation is to penalise respectably conducted houses because they do not sell enough drink, and a premium is given to those houses which sell a large quantity.

The Lord Nelson, from time immemorial, has been a fisherman`s house, from the time Mr. William Harrison kept it up to now. It never did a large trade. The proprietor and the various tenants never took steps to make it do a large trade. They were content with a respectable, cosy house to meet the requirements of a certain class, and did so.

The authorities closed two common lodging houses on either side of the house. By doing so some of those who lived at common lodging houses were driven to the Lord Nelson. The tenants, by their licence, were bound to serve them, even though some of their more respectable customers went elsewhere. The owners of the Lord Nelson spent enough money to re-build the house in partitioning and making bars to suit the customers they would have preferred not to supply, with the nett result that for doing what the law compelled them to do their licence is taken away, the evidence relied upon being that they did not sell sufficient drink, and served, as it was put, rag and bone people.

As another object lesson of idiotic legislation administered locally with a lack of intelligence we would call the attention of our readers and old residents to a triangular block of buildings in Beach Street. We remember four licensed houses adjoining each other in this block – The Providence, Blue Anchor, Queen`s Head and Wonder Tavern.

The teetotal prating about this block was nauseous, and cases of drunkenness on being heard by the justices were always attributed to this block. They were four respectable houses, well conducted in every way, and provided for various classes of fishermen, South Eastern employees, and workers in the neighbourhood.

Three houses out of this block have been closed by the authorities on the score of redundancy. The fourth one is always crowded and sells more beer now than all the four put together, while it is secure from interference. Why? Because the premium offered for increased trade is such that the evidence of redundancy could not be produced, and the amount required for compensation, were it closed, would be more than the commissioners would give.

We have no wish to close any well conducted house on the score of redundancy. The more there are the less there is of drunkenness and more easy the supervision, and also the greater comfort and convenience for the public. The statistics of drunkenness, as at present given by convictions, are utterly fallacious. The young, energetic policemen, wanting to earn promotion, will often arrest people for drunkenness when older and more common-sense men will send them home and prefer no charge. Thus the number of public houses has nothing to do with it.

On Wednesday last twelve houses were referred to the Canterbury Quarter Sessions, eight of which were undefended. Two were given their licence, and two refused. This means that on the 1^st of January, 1915, there will be ten less beerhouses in Kent than there were in 1914. There will be just as much drink consumed, or even more, but the revenue will not be so large. Kent will follow Northern towns, and the public will insist on their liberty and choice of having moderate refreshments to suit their tastes, and also accommodation which they require. This has been provided in the North by clubs; it will be provided in the South.

Such clubs, on being conducted as respectably as the houses which are being swept away on the excuse of redundancy, can defy the police and Temperance faddists. They will be under no restriction as to opening or closing to a minute, and furthermore will not have to contribute to the revenue. When the Lord Nelson is closed, a Fishermen`s and Mariners` Club will be formed to take its place. Such club will be allowed to supply its members if they go to sea or land between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The proprietors will not be compelled to serve rag and bone dealers, for serving which the licence of the Lord Nelson has been taken away. And such club will also, as time goes on, reduce the trade of licensed houses which are now doing well in such a manner that they will be closed on the score of redundancy.

We shall have more to say as time goes on.

East Kent Licensing.

The Kent Licensing Committee held their annual sessions at St. Augustine`s, Canterbury, on July 8^th. Lord Harris presided up to lunchtime, when Parliamentary duties called him to London, necessitating the Vice Chairman, the Hon. Plumptre, taking his place.

There were twelve cases that had been remitted, eight of which were uncontested, leaving the Coach and Horses at Deal (Flint and Co), a house in Sandwich belonging to Mackeson and Co., the King`s Head in Herne Bay, and the Lord Nelson in Folkestone belonging to Ash and Co. Learned counsel were engaged on both sides. The evidence was of the similar stereotyped kind as that usually given in these cases, which it seems are decided more by the fact of the funds in the hands of the Commission Committee than anything else. No doubt this is the reason why the other eight houses were not defended.

The following evidence was submitted:

Number of tenements in the area isolated by the railway line:

1  The Stade                  23 tenements

2  Radnor Street             52       “

3  East Street                 32       “

4  Clout`s Alley              11       “

5  Dunn`s Alley              12       “

6  Bates` Alley               11       “

7  North Street               64       “

8  East Cliff Gardens       19       “

9  East Cliff                    56       “

10 Radnor Bridge Road     8       “

11 East Cliff Villas             4       “

12 Dudley Road             70       “

13 Seagrave Road            6       “

14 Stanley Road             39       “

15 Burrow Road             30       “

16 Penfold Road             73       “

17 Warren Road             63       “

18 Thanet Gardens         54       “

19 Wear Bay Crescent    67       “

20 Wear Bay Road         16       “

21 Radnor Bridge Cottages  8       “

In Institutions

22 St. Andrew`s Convalescent Home    200 persons

23 Wear Bay                                    100      “

24 Sanatorium                                   40      “

Public Works in the isolated area

Approximate estimate of number of men who need refreshments

Flushing Service                                   200

South Eastern Good Service                   300

Porters` Passenger Service                    250

South Eastern Works Permanent Staff       40

Casually Employed                                 50

Customs Officials                                 100

Colliers and Traders                              100

Ramsgate Smacks                                  70

Rye Steam Trawlers                                60

Fishermen                                            300

Fish Packers, etc.                                  100

Fish Dealers                                          100

Marx, Builder                                         100

Dust Destructor and Engineering Works        50

Allotment Gardens                                    60

Plicher`s Market Gardens                           50

Sundry Servants and Employees                100

Total                                                   2040

Licensed Houses in the Isolated Area:

Fully Licensed

Lord Nelson, Jubilee, Ship, Oddfellows, Packet Boat, Royal Oak, East Cliff Tavern (the Warren Inn, a fully licensed house at the extreme end of the area, provided with pleasure gardens, was deprived of its licence)

Beer Licence – The Lifeboat

During the season numbers are greatly augmented by visitors, especially at boarding houses. Several houses have from 40 to 60 boarders between July and August.

The Lord Nelson is the largest house, and more conveniently situated, especially for visitors. I has a frontage of 30 feet and a depth of 26 feet, with a club room for visitors 16ft. 3in. by 12ft. 7in. It is admirably situated for private parties, etc.

The Jubilee is a house with a smaller frontage, and has been extended over that which was known as the Skittle Alley. The Oddfellows and the Ship have also been extended over yards, the same as can be done by the Lord Nelson.

The Royal Oak and the East Cliff Tavern are negligible quantities as far as accommodation is concerned. They are simply cottages that have been adapted for small public houses.

The want of accommodation is seriously felt by those who have invested their money in property in this isolated district. Formerly there were more houses to supply the refreshments. They have been closed by the authorities. The North Foreland has been transformed into a Bethel or Temperance tavern. The Radnor, Tramway, Star, and Marquis of Lorne have been deprived of their licences and are now common lodging houses, accommodating 100 to 150 of the travelling class, who require refreshments, which the westernmost bar of the Lord Nelson has been partitioned off to supply (shown on the plan marked A). The centre bar (marked B) is used by the fishermen and others for temporary refreshments during the daytime, and the club room (marked C) is used during the evening by the better class of fishermen to discuss business problems, and during the day for visitors to the Warren to obtain refreshments.

The annexed plan and rough model show how this eastern district is cut off and isolated from the rest of the town.

The South Eastern Pier continues through the Harbour Station and a few yards across the bridge, which divides the inner and outer harbours, from whence it rises on a gradient to 20 feet, and continues about halfway up the Tram Road to the level crossing at East Cliff, then follows on a spur line which joins the main line beyond the Junction Station.

Thus the whole of the inhabitants and workmen mentioned are prevented from getting into the town, except by the level crossing in Warren Road, which is kept shut. A few yards lower down is a style, very dangerous to children, and where many accidents have occurred. Further down is the East Cliff crossing, and nothing between that and Radnor Street, where the bridge is about 20ft. high.

There are three arches on the Stade for vehicular traffic. These are very dangerous for foot passengers, and no pathway exists on either side. Two fish carts passing each other under these arches make them impassable and very dangerous for pedestrians, who have to divert when coming from the Harbour round the Fish Market and through May`s Alley (marked on the model), and round to the right, past the Nelson and through the Radnor Street arch. The gates at the Harbour have to be often closed, necessitating the men walking along the pathway on the easternmost side of the line, as shown on the model.

The slipway or landing stage is used by the fishermen and all those who enter the Harbour. The steps further along are used the same for fish carrying, but not by the general public.

Take a similar area outside the isolated district west of the Tram Road, including Beach Street, Seagate Street, Dover Road (from the Raglan), London Street, Tram Road, Radnor Bridge Road, Martello Avenue, Folly Road, Morrison Road, Swiss Terrace, Warwick Terrace, Grosvenor Terrace, Saffron`s Place, Rossendale Road, and Dover Street (to the Raglan).

Fifteen streets with under 500 tenements are allowed twelve licensed houses, including the Royal George, Alexandra, Wonder, South Foreland, Chequers, Wellington, Oddfellows, Granville, Swan, Raglan, Martello, and Raglan Tavern. This averages one house to 80 tenements, and the isolated side means one house to 103 tenements. It is almost incredible to say, with all the working population, that the Lord Nelson is unnecessary.

The house at Ashford had its licence renewed, also that at Sandwich, but house at Herne Bay and the Lord Nelson were refused, notwithstanding the very able defence set up by Mr. Herbert Morris, especially in the case of the King`s Head at Herne Bay. It seems to us that the law must sooner or later be altered to prevent difficulties that must arise if the present state of things continues.

The justices adjourned for some time and considered the matter, and on their return refused both licences.

As far as the Quarter Sessions is concerned, it certainly presents a very excellent opportunity for a pleasant day`s outing for chief constables, officials, policemen and others, and nice little easy jobs for learned counsel. If the licensed victuallers were to devote their energies in attempting to secure common-sense reforms rather than frittering them away on congresses, delegates, etc., there might be hopes for better things. As it is, the reforms must be brought about by healthy expression of public opinion, independent of the interests of monopolies on one side and sentimental faddists on the other.

 

Folkestone Express 12-9-1914

Local News

On Tuesday a special sitting of the Magistrates was held for thr purpose of deciding as to the early closing of public houses and registered clubs. They first conferred in private, and among those who were on the Bench when they came into Court were E.T. Ward, Alderman Jenner, Dr. Tyson, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Colonel Owen, and J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G.I. Swoffer, R.G. Wood, G. Boyd, W.J. Harrison, A. Stace, and C.E. Mumford Esqs.

The Chairman said the Magistrates had had an application from the Chief constable as to putting into force the new Act with regard to the earlier closing of public houses. It seemed to be, in their opinion, a very right thing they should exercise the powers under the Act.

The Clerk said it would be necessary to pass a resolution in the public court concerning the matter.

Lieut. Col. Fynmore then proposed the resolution, which read as follows: That the Licensing Justices of the Borough of Folkestone, upon the recommendation of the Chief Constable of the Borough that it is desirable for the maintenance of order and the suppression of drunkenness within the Borough, pursuant to, and in exercise of the powers vested in them by the Intoxicating Liquor (Temporary Restriction) Act, 1914, by order that as from this day the sale or consumption of intoxicating liquor in the Borough aforesaid, and supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor on the premises of any persons holding any retailer`s licence in the Borough aforesaid, and the supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor in any registered club in the Borough aforesaid, shall be suspended at and from the hour of 9 in the evening of every day during the continuance of the present war and for a period of one month after the close thereof unless this order be sooner revoked.

Mr. Linton seconded, and the resolution was unanimously carried.

On the motion of Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Stainer, the Clerk was directed to give notice of the order.

The licensed houses were closed on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. for the first time. The Act had been put into operation in Cheriton, Sandgate and Hythe on the previous Saturday evening.

Folkestone Herald 12-9-1914

Thursday, September 10^th: Before Mr. J. Stainer, Councillor C. Ed. Mumford, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Councillor W.J. Harrison, and Mr. E.T. Morrison.

To a licensee who applied for an extension of time from 9 o`clock to midnight, the Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said he did not think the Bench could grant it. The normal law was suspended under the new Act, which contained no provision for extension of hours.

Folkestone Express 26-12-1914

Local News

On Monday evening shortly before six o`clock notice was received in Folkestone that all public houses must be closed at eight o`clock in the evening. The order came from the military authorities, but all licensed premises could not be served with the notice before the stated hour, and some remained open after the time.

The order was as follows:- OHMS, Headquarters, Shorncliffe, 21^st December, 1914. In order that the Borough of Folkestone may be in conformity with the rest of the Training Area in this Command, I hereby direct under authority of the Defence of the Realm Act (Consolidated) Regulations, 1914, para. 10, that all licensed premises whatsoever within the Borough of Folkestone shall be closed forthwith at 8 p.m., and until further orders; and I also hereby direct that the police acting under the orders of the Chief Constable shall be the executive authority to carry out this order.

James Spens, Major General,

Commanding 12^th Division.