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Pier Road
Erith
Above photo, circa 1865. |
Informed gather by Jim Packer author of the "Lost Pubs of Bexley."
The Guardians of the Wheatley Estate had a 400ft pier constructed in 1842
so that the pleasure steamers that were plying the Thames at that time could
call additionally at Erith.
The hotel was constructed in 1843 (though only a fraction of the size
originally envisaged) and a full licence was granted immediately to George
Warriner at the annual Sessions on 30 September 1843. Andrew Maclure, a
seedsman who had a nursery at North End, laid out the pleasure gardens and
arboretum the following year.
The directories of 1859 onwards describe it as the "Pier Hotel and Yacht
Club House." The 1861 Census records Andrew as the Hotelkeeper whilst his
younger brother John was running the "Pier Hotel Tap."
The resort of Erith upon Thames was short-lived: the aboretum and flowers
were said not to be of a high standard. Beadle Brothers had started their
extensive coal business with the arrival of the railway in 1849 and, to cap
it all, Crossness Sewage Works opened on 4th April 1865 discharging 70
million gallons of untreated effluent at high tide. The pier, hotel and
gardens were all sold at auction in 1865 and later Frederick James Wain, who
was the last landlord, took over. Wain also became a wine and spirit
merchant trading from 7 Pier Road and many stoneware jars with his name
impressed survive.
In 1898 Messrs Watneys were proposing to erect commodious new premises at
the bottom of Friday Hill. At this time the Licensing Bench was keen to see
an overall reduction in licensed premises and refused permission for the new
house. Subsequent years saw the putting forward of some licences one year,
even two for one year, but the Bench thought them unsuitable and unequitable.
Eventually Watneys bought out the "Pier Hotel" licence from Wain and the
owner of the premises, Messrs Wm Cory and Sons Ltd. They successfully
offered it at the September 1901 Brewster Sessions in surrender, in favour
of the proposed "Nordenfeldt Tavern,"
the building of which was completed and the final order for transfer of the
licence was issued on 14th August 1902.
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Morning Advertiser, Friday 11 May 1855.
To Excursion and Dinner Parties.
"Erith Pier Hotel," and Gardens.
This delightful retreat, on the banks of the river, with its ornamental
gardens, 12 acres in extent, is again open, for the reception of daily
visitors, dinner parties, and the like. One Hundred can dine in the
coffee room of the hotel, and any number under One Thousand in the
banquet room in the garden. All parties liberally treated by applying to
Mr. Maclure, "Pier Hotel," Erith, Kent.
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Kentish Chronicle, Saturday 8 October 1864.
DREADFUL EXPLOSION OF GUNPOWDER AT ERITH.
Click for full account.
A public meeting was held on Monday evening at the "Pier Hotel," Erith,
for the purpose of taking into consideration the serious amount of
damage done to the property in the district, and to adopt such
resolutions as might be considered necessary with reference thereto. The
Rev. Archdeacon Smith, vicar of the parish, was called to the chair, and
was supported by the Rev. J. G. Wood, M.A.; Captain M'Killop, R.N.;
Captain Morell, R.N.; Dr. Hatton, and the churchwardens. A resolution
was put and carried, to the effect "That the disaster which has recently
occurred in the neighbourhood proves clearly the impropriety of large
quantities of gun powder and explosive matter being allowed to be
manufactured or stored in the vicinity of populous places, and that
communications be made to the Home Office and to the local magistrates,
pointing out the danger attending the establishment of gunpowder
magazines and warehouses in such places, and urging the discontinuation
of existing licenses, and the refusal to grant new licences for the came
purpose in future.”
A committee was formed with instructions to consider the mode of
carrying powder in barges, and proper representations would be made to
government on the subject. It was next decided to adjourn the meeting
until after the inquest, in order to obtain some idea of the amount of
claims for compensation. Votes of thanks were unanimously accorded to
the military and the medical gentlemen who so promptly attended the
sufferers. A vote of thanks to the rev. chairman concluded the
proceedings.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 11 April 1865 Erith.bmp"
ERITH. The Late Boat Accident.
On Tuesday afternoon Mr. C. J. Carttar, the coroner for Kent,
held au inquest at the "Pier Hotel," Erith, on view of the bodies of
Errington Ord Denton, James Waller, William Powel Stanton, and
Joseph Ward Leigh, four of the cadets who were drowned by the
upsetting of the boat belonging to the Worcester training ship,
under circumstances already detailed in the Kentish Gazelle.
Mr. H. Green, the chairman of the institution Mr. Strang and
Captain Trevett, of the committee; and Mr. Bullivant, the hon,
secretary, were present to watch, the proceedings. The same facts
were stated as were given at the previous investigation. The cause
of the boat capsizing could not be accounted for. The boys were
quiet, and there was no crowding on one side. Mr. Stanton, a Cinque
Ports pilot, and father of one of the deceased boys, said he thought
the boat should have been ballasted either with water ballast or
with shingle. She ought also to have a deeper keel. Mr. Henry Green,
the chairman of the committee, said they had instituted the fullest
inquiry into the unfortunate event, and the point as to whether the
boat should have ballast in her was still in some doubt. They had
directed that all the boats should be made lifeboats, and that no
boy should go out if not able to swim. They had also made other
arrangements with a view of affording the lads every security that
it was practicable to render them while being instructed in their
profession. The foreman said it was satisfactory to hear that the
committee had taken those precautions. The Coroner then briefly
summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" in
each ease.
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From the Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 23 September, 1871.
ERITH.
A meeting was held at the “Pier Hotel” on Wednesday evening, Dr. Ridge
and subsequently by Mr. Moberley, in the chair, to take steps for
forming a new workman’s club for Erith. Another meeting is shortly to be
held. |
LICENSEE LIST
WARRINER George 1843-July/45
WARRINER Henry July/1845+
MACLURE Andrew 1855-61+ (age 52 in 1861 )
MACLURE John 1861+ (and 44 in 1861)
("Pier Hotel Tap.")
WAIN Frederick James 1865+
NORMAN William 1867 (also yacht club house)
WAIN Frederick James 1882-96+
SINCLAIR Donald 1901+ (age 51 in 1901)
(Manager of Pier Tap at 2 Pier Road in 1891)
WAIN Frederick James 1903+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/PierHotel.shtml
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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