DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Erith, May, 2024.

Page Updated:- Friday, 10 May, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1715

White Hart

2006+ (Name to)

Open 2018+

44 High Street (91 in 1891Census)

Erith

White Hart 1900

Above photo, circa 1900, also showing the "Cross Keys" (centre.)

White Hart pre 1902

Above photo, pre 1902.

White Hart 1902

Above photo, 1902.

White Hart 2006

Above photo 2006 by Dave Patten Creative Commons Licence.

 

In 1869-70 the pub was part of a consortium who were advertising their goods of selling tea in response to grocers' selling beer and wine. (Click for further details.)

 

The original "White Hart" was demolished in 1902 and replaced for another building on the same site.

 

From The Morning Post (London, England), Friday, July 22, 1842; Issue 22311.

FATAL COLLISION IN ERITH REACH BETWEEN THE ROYAL WILLIAM MARGATE STEAMER, AND THE ELLEN SAILING BARGE, OF WHITEFRIARS, LONDON.

Yesterday afternoon the inquest was held, pursuant to adjournment, before Mr. Carttar, at the "White Hart Inn," Erith, Kent, upon the body of John McMillan, late in the employ of Mr. Limpas, an extensive barge owner, of Water-lane, Fleet-street, who met his death from a collision on the river. The facts have already appeared. After a great deal of conflicting evidence the room was cleared for the jury to consider their verdict, and in somewhat more than an hour the doors were again thrown open, when the foreman announced the following verdict, namely, "That the deceased had lost his life by accident; but at the same time the jury were of opinion that a good look out had not been kept on board the Royal William, and that some person ought always to be upon the paddle-boxes of all steamers when in the river."

The jury had there fore agreed to a deodand of 50/- upon the Royal William Margate steamer.

 

Kent Times, 3 May 1862.

DARTFORD. Petty Sessions, April 26. Before Sir P. H Dyke, Bart., F. M. Lewin, Esq., and W. Arbuthnot, Esq.

Transfer of Licenses.

The license of the "White Hart," Erith, from Henry Jarvis to Cornelias Rickard.

 

Dover Express, Saturday 7 November 1863.

On Saturday last the licence of the "White Hart Inn" at Erith from Cornelius Rickards to James Bridge.

 

I know the pub was still operating under that name in 2006, but understand it changed name to the "Potion Bar" in 2008.

It appears that the premises reverted back to the "White Hart" again in September 2018.

 

From https://arthurpewtysmaggotsandwich.blogspot.com accessed 21 September 2018.

I took the two photos above yesterday afternoon; they show the nearly completed conversion of the ground floor - the former bar area of the "White Hart" pub in Erith High Street into a brand new African restaurant and bar, which is scheduled to open on the 16th of September 2018.

The upper floors were converted into a number of luxury apartments, and have been occupied for around six months already. There are some concerns about the ground floor restaurant/bar - until very recently a drinks and music licence application was on display in the window by the entrance to the bar area. It detailed the proposed opening hours of the establishment, and this led to widespread concern amongst local residents. The original licence application stated that the restaurant/bar would be open from 10am until 5am the next morning, and serving alcohol until 4.30am.

White Hart 2018

My personal opinion is that this is just a "fishing trip" by the bar owners - they don't actually expect to get this application granted, but they are seeing what they can get away with. Bearing in mind the "White Hart" is located in a conservation area; it has retirement apartments behind it, and sheltered housing very close by, I would not expect the licensing authorities to treat this current application sympathetically. Nevertheless, since the "White Hart" has now publicly announced that it plans to open to the public on the 16th of September, it may be that feedback from local people needs to be amplified.

 

Latest news (2020) tells me that although the pub is permanently closed the facade has been reverted to original design. The current plan being to keep ground floor bar and kitchen but the upstairs has already been converted into flats, an extension is being built which will also garden.

 

LICENSEE LIST

DILLEY Stephen 1715+

STONE Robert 1828-32+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29Pigot's Directory 1832-34

WYATT John 1840+

JARVIS Henry 1858-May/62+

RICKARD Cornelius May/1862-Nov/63

BRIDGE James Nov/63-July/1867 Kentish Mercury

HACK Charles Richard July/1867+ Kentish Mercury

SWIFT Charles 1869-74+

SWIFT Mary Ann Mrs 1882+

BRIDGE Harriet 1891+ (widow age 61 in 1891Census)

LIPPARD Harry 1901-03+ (age 34 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

LIPPARD Thomas to Apr/1904 Kentish Independent

ANDREWS William Apr/1904+ Kentish Independent

HAMPTON Alexander 1911+ Next pub licensee had (age 53 in 1911Census)

REED William Henry 1913+

WILSON Alexander 1922+

DIEGEL Harry 1930-38+

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

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

CensusCensus

Kentish MercuryKentish Mercury

Kentish IndependentKentish Independent

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

 

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

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