Folkestone Herald 13-2-1971
Annual Licensing Sessions
Police
are keeping an extra careful eye on some pubs in Folkestone - particularly
those popular among young people. This was revealed by Chief Superintendent W.
Pullinger in his report to the annual meeting of the
town’s Licensing Justices, on Wednesday.
He said that during 1970 licensed premises had
been generally well-conducted. But he went on “As in most towns, certain
premises require additional police supervision to ensure that the liquor
licensing laws are not abused. This is sometimes due to slackness on the part
of the licensee, or to popular premises attracting large numbers of young
people”.
Mr. P.J. Baden-Fuller, the Chairman of the
Justices, appreciated the difficulties licensees faced with young people. He
said the Justices hoped that those licensees concerned would try to enforce the
liquor laws, but added “It is so difficult to tell the ages of young people
sometimes”.
Later, The Herald spoke to landlords of
Folkestone pubs that are popular with youngsters – only to find they did not
think they had a problem. Several of them agreed with Mr. Baden-Fuller that it was difficult to
tell the ages ot some young customers. The answer to a difficult situation
was, they agreed, firmness and rigidly following the maxim “If in doubt, don’t
serve”.
At the Shakespeare, in Guildhall Street, Mr. Ron Balsom, the landlord,
said “I have spent many years in London as a licensee, and the young people
here are a lot different. I find them very reasonable and very well behaved.
They certainly do not cause me any headaches”.
Mr. Alan White, landlord of the Prince Albert in Rendezvous Street, said
“There is an occasional problem caused by young soldiers from Shorncliffe
wanting a drink. You know who they are and you just have to handle the
situation firmly. Trouble is caused when youngsters unused to alcohol have a
few drinks and get a bit het up. A landlord has a duty to regular customers,
and must make sure that kind of situation does not arise”.
At the West Cliff Shades, Christ Church Road, a spokesman said there
were no problems worth mentioning, though there had been occasional instances
of vandalism.
At the British Lion, in The Bayle, Mr. Gerry Hourahane said “It is
difficult to judge ages, particularly those of foreigners. But if you ask them
what year they were born they usually answer correctly without thinking”.
Another aspect of Chief Superintendent Pullinger`s report to the
Justices was that hotels and restaurants are catering more for Continental
visitors. The number of restricted licences granted to hotels, restaurants and
other premises had increased, he reported. “This is no doubt due to more people
requiring intoxicants for consumption with their meals, particularly in
Folkestone, where the number of Continental visitors, especially day visitors
from France and Belgium, continues to increase.
The report showed that 19 cases of drunkenness were dealt with by the
police in 1970, compared with 16 in 1969, an increase “which does not reflect
on licensed premises”. Fourteen cases of motorists unfit to drive through drink
were also dealt with by the police – two fewer than in 1969. There are now 177 licensed premises in
Folkestone. The police had no objections to any licences being renewed.
Folkestone Herald 15-5-1971
Local News
When 1,400 continentals visit Folkestone next Thursday
the doors of local pubs will be open to them all afternoon. On Tuesday local
Magistrates decided in favour of a second application to allow 17 pubs to
remain open especially for the visitors. They had vetoed a previous
application. The second made by publicans was amended to allow for a half-hour
break at 5.30 p.m. before their premises opened for the evening session.
Mr. J. Medlicott, for the publicans, told the Magistrates
that the visitors were delegates attending a conference in Bruges. One of its
highlights was to be a visit to England. He referred to a letter received by
Folkestone Corporation from the British Tourist Authority supporting the
publicans` application. The visit – by Dutch, Swiss, Belgians and Germans – was
a special occasion, not just a shopping expedition, said Mr. Medlicott. It had
been arranged by a Bruges tourist organisation which had particularly asked
that pubs should be open in the afternoon.
Police Inspector R. Sanders made no formal objection to
the application – but doubted whether the visit was a special occasion.
The Chairman of Folkestone Chamber of Trade, Mr. Alan
Stephenson, said later “The cross-Channel visitors` committee of this Chamber
is very pleased that this has been seen as a special occasion by the Justices. When one is reminded that this
extension is no more than happens in many market towns every week of the year,
it seems a fair request, especially as Folkestone’s image abroad could be much
influenced by the original decision not to allow the pubs to open”.
The pubs which will stay
open are; Jubilee, Ship, Oddfellows, Royal George, London and Paris, True
Briton, Harbour Inn, Princess Royal, Clarendon, Brewery Tap, Earl Grey, Prince
Albert, George, Globe, East Kent Arms,
Guildhall and Shakespeare.
Folkestone Herald 22-5-1971
Local News
About 1,400 Germans successfully invaded Folkestone
on Thursday to enjoy themselves. The visitors - members of the BMW enthusiasts’ club
- strolled about the town shooting local scenes with their cine cameras and
went shopping. Many
bought driving gear, ranging from tyres to goggles and crash helmets - but
fewer than expected went to the pubs. They were visiting Folkestone during an
international convention of their club, held this week at Bruges, in Belgium. Local licensees had gained extensions
of opening hours to cater for them. But it was the locals who patronised some
of the 17 town centre and harbour area pubs that stayed open.
At the Shakespeare, in Guildhall Street, Mr. Ron
Balsom, said “It was a complete waste of time staying open. I only had 13 Germans in all day”.
Mr. John Tobin, landlord of the East Kent Arms, in
Sandgate Road, said most of his customers had been regulars.
The Oddfellows Arms, in The Stade, was closed by
3.15 p.m. A
spokesman there said “It was a complete and utter waste of time”.
At the True Briton a spokesman said “We did very well - thanks largely to our
regulars”.
The
London and Paris, at the harbour, was busy, but a spokesman said the pub had
not taken a great deal of money.
However,
one very pleased landlady was Mrs. M.M. Lewis, at The Guildhall. “It has been absolutely fantastic”, she said, "We have teen completely packed
out with both German visitors and regulars".
Folkestone's publicity officer, Mr. Charles
McDougal, said “The original letter we received from Belgium about this visit
gave the departure time as 6 p.m. It was not until two days before the visit that we
learned otherwise".
Mr. Alan Stephenson, chairman of Folkestone Chamber
of Trade, said “These people wanted to come to Folkestone, and their visit gave
them an opportunity to sample the pleasures of the town as a holiday resort
rather than just a shopping centre”.
Folkestone Gazette
23-6-1971
Local News
A former Folkestone licensee, Mr. William Powell,
of 12, Julian Road, Folkestone, collapsed and died in the National Westminster
Bank, Sandgate Road, on Thursday afternoon. Mr. Powell, who was licensee of the Shakespeare
Hotel, Guildhall Street, for many years, served in the R.A.F. during the Second
World War. He was 68. Following his retirement from the Shakespeare he was, for a number of
years, manager of Walter and Sons secondhand furniture department in Cheriton
Road.
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