Railway Tavern 1970s

Photo from Folkestone Herald

Folkestone Herald 16-6-1973

Local News

Residents in an east Folkestone shopping area can sleep a little easier in their beds. Something is, at last, being done about the blot on their environment – 115-119, Dover Road.

The site includes the old Railway Tavern which closed two years ago and has since fallen into disrepair. Broken windows and open doors act as welcome signs for adventurous children and shelter-seeking vagrants. Until Thursday shop owners and nearby residents had no idea how long they would have to put up with the nuisance. The Herald was asked to investigate, and a reporter found people living near the site both angry and frightened. Within seven hours he was able to assure them that positive steps were being taken to remove the eyesore. The property had been acquired by local builders, J. Hyham and Sons, who have detailed planning permission to erect seven two-bedroom flats. A spokesman for the firm said work was expected to start inside six months.

It cannot begin soon enough for people like Mr. Fred Groom, the shoe repairer whose shop stands next to the tavern. “We have had all sorts of trouble there”, he said, “with tramps using it as a doss-house and kids endangering themselves by playing there”.

Mr. Harry Thatcher, who runs Jackson`s hardware and gift shop, has forbidden his two sons to go anywhere near the site. He said “It is not only a terrible eyesore, but it is no exaggeration to call it a death trap”. Told there were ashes in what was once the public bar fireplace, Mr. Thatcher said “I am not surprised. We all know that tramps have been living there”.

This was one of the biggest bones of contention put forward by newsagent Mr. Alan Stephenson, who said “The place is an obvious fire risk. If ever the tramps, or anybody else, set it alight, the whole terraced block would go up, and seven shops would be in danger. Apart from the fire hazard, there must be a danger to health”.

Photographer Mike Scott, who said he found a child on the pub roof only last week, said the building should be boarded up to prevent anyone entering.

When a Herald reporter put this point to the spokesman for J. Hyham and Sons, he said “We shall take steps to fence off the area properly and to board up the windows of the pub”.

Folkestone Herald 23-6-1973

Local News

Demolition of the old Railway Tavern in Dover Road, Folkestone, was ordered this week.

On Saturday, the Herald reported that residents and traders in the area were angry at the derelict condition of the building, which closed two years ago. They claimed it was an eyesore and a danger.

Mr. Jim Hyham, the boss of a local building firm that acquired the property only two weeks ago, returned from holiday on Monday – and almost immediately asked a demolition company to start work on the site. He was expecting scaffolding to go up on Thursday. Said Mr. Hyham, “The property became our responsibility only two weeks ago when we obtained planning permission. We have boarded up the premises several times”. He added that when the demolition work was completed, materials would be moved away and the site kept tidy until such time as redevelopment starts. Seven two-bedroom flats will go up there.

One of the traders, who claimed that the site was a fire risk, was newsagent Mr. Alan Stephenson. He said on Thursday “This is very good news. Obviously everyone in this area will be delighted. We hope now for an early start on redevelopment. It will be the first time people have lived on the site for about 10 years”.