DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 17 May, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest ????

Bell

Closed 2007

118 Heath Road / Union Road 1881Census

Coxheath

Bell 1930

Above photo, circa 1930, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bell sign 1992

Above sign left August 1992, sign right, February 1997.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Bell sign 2002

Above sign February 2002, kindly sent by Brian Curtis.

 

I am informed that the pub closed in 2007 and is operating as the "Spice Lounge and Indian Restaurant.

 

Spice Lounge 2015

Above photo kindly sent by Tricia Francis, March 2015.

Spice Lounge 2019

Above photo, 2019.

Spice Lounge sign 2015

Above sign, March 2015, also by Tricia Francis.

 

The pub is very similar in design to the "Carpenter's Arms" at Hadlow, the "Black Boy" at Sidcup, the "Ship" at Lydd on Sea, the "Welcome Inn" in Eltham, the "Worlds Wonder" at Warehorn, the "Redstart Inn" at Barming, and the "Papermaker's Arms" in Hawley.

 

Project 2014 has been started to try and identify all the pubs that are and have ever been open in Kent. I have just added this pub to that list but your help is definitely needed regarding it's history.

As the information is found or sent to me, including photographs, it will be shown here.

Thanks for your co-operation.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Guy Bell, 14 June 2019.

Spice Lounge in Coxheath announces closure.

A popular Indian restaurant has announced it will close later this month.

Spice Lounge in Coxheath opened in 2007 but its future was in doubt after plans for retirement flats were submitted to replace it.

But a decline in the number of restaurant visitors has meant owner Anhar Ali has been forced to call time on his business and close on June 29.

He said: "With the residential developments in Coxheath, the general expectation would be that demand for the restaurant would remain strong.

"Unfortunately, in the last two years patterns and spending habits seem to have changed, with a general decline in the use of the restaurant. In the first half of 2019 use of the restaurant for dining in is very poor.

"We would easily do over 100 covers on a Saturday night but in recent times we have seen this drop significantly with average dining in at 40/50 covers on a Saturday night.

Spice Lounge plans 2019

Plans have been submitted to knock down Spice Lounge in Coxheath and build retirement flats in its place.

The takeaway collection service has increased in popularity, with some days the turnover in takeaway being much greater then the dining in customers.

"Weekdays from Monday to Thursday has over time seen a steady decline in dining in customers, with a takeaway a more popular option. On average I would say the takeaway turnover in the first half of 2019, equates to more than 50% of the turnover.

"Takeaway seems to be the cheaper option for many families. Trends show a general decline in the restaurant use, with an increased demand for takeaway service. The Spice Lounge site is too large just to operate a takeaway service.

"The building has high operating costs, and is not viable any longer to operate as a restaurant. This year has seen costs outweighing the benefits of keeping the premises opened, and requiring cash injection from me to cover costs. Therefore I have taken the decision to close the premises from June 29 until further notice."

The news of the closure comes just weeks after proposals for retirement flats were submitted to Maidstone Borough Council for 14 retirement apartments.

A previous proposal submitted by the developer had been refused in September 2018 because the development was held to appear “isolated, incongruous and out of scale in its setting, unrelated to existing development fronting Heath Road to the west and failing to contribute in providing a sense of enclosure or sense of place to this part of Coxheath”.

Changes have now been made to make sure the fronts of any new build would fit in with its surroundings and landscaping would be an option due to any apartments being set back from Heath Road.

A decision on the application will be made next month.

 

LICENSEE LIST

COPPINS William to Jan/1870 Maidstone Telegraph

MERRIAM/MERRIMAN/MIRRIAM John George Jan/1870-82+ (age 45 in 1881Census) Maidstone Telegraph

MARTIN William 1891-1903+ (age 65 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

WYCHERLEY Emma Mrs 1911-22+ (age 46 in 1911Census)

VINCENT Emma Mrs 1930+

SPRADBROW Charles 1938-6/Mar/39 dec'd

https://pubwiki.co.uk/Bell.shtml

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/bellinn.html

 

CensusCensus

Maidstone TelegraphMaidstone Telegraph

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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