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140 Hempstead Road
Hempstead
01634 231287
https://www.whatpub.com/flying-saucer
Above photo, date unknown, showing the pub whilst it was operating as a
club. |
Above photo, April 1951. |
Above photo 2014. |
Above sign, August 1989.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com. |
 
Above sign left 1987. Sign right 2011. |
Above sign, 2020, kindly sent by Jamie Goatman. |
Above photo, 2020, kindly taken and sent by Jamie Goatman. |
Above photo, 2020, kindly taken and sent by Jamie Goatman. |
Foreseeing future space travel, and possibly ‘star wars', is the "Flying
Saucer", one of the first pubs in England to depict space-craft on its sign
— on one side at least. In 1987 the reverse shows an old man and woman
staring in fascinated horror as two of their breakfast saucers fly off the
kitchen table and out of the window.
It is said that it started life as one of the farm buildings from the old
farmhouse that still exists behind the pub in Harrow road and the building
started life as an agricultural hall but it was also used as a shop, club
then a pub.
The pub was one of several pubs that had their licences transferred from
pubs in Brompton as the Brompton 'slum clearances' took place in the 1930s
and 1950s. At these times large numbers of the Brompton population were
re-housed in the newly developing areas of Wigmore and Rainham Mark (1930s)
and Hempstead and Twydall (1950s). The original licence for the Flying
Saucer had belonged to the "Shipwrights
Arms" at 22 Westcourt Street, Brompton. On 2 Mar 1951 (Confirmed 20 Apr
1951) the licence was transferred to the premises at 140 Hempstead Road,
Hempstead which opened under the name of the "Flying Saucer."
I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it,
but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the
information will come from.
All emails are answered.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Jenni Horn, 1 December 2014.
The Flying Saucer pub in Hempstead Road, Gillingham, owned by the Spirit Pub
Company, is creating five new jobs.
A pub is creating five new jobs after a £180,000 make-over.
The Flying Saucer, in Hempstead Road, Gillingham, will close temporarily
from today (Monday) to begin an extensive refurbishment that will see it
reopen on Friday, December 12.
Owned by the Spirit Pub Company, it promises a modern decor and some new
signature pieces of furniture.
Flying Saucer pub in Hempstead Road.
The bar will be revamped, as will the menu, which will include wild boar
burger, steak and ale pie and Korean spiced salad.
The pub is seeking to recruit five new full and part-time staff to work
in the bar and in the kitchen.
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From the
https://www.msn.com Story by Sam Honey, 31 May 2024.
Sadness as Flying Saucer pub in Hempstead to close its doors for good.
The Flying Saucer will close in early June.
Bosses have confirmed a Greene King pub in Kent will close its doors for
good next month. The Flying Saucer in Hempstead, Gillingham, will pull
its last pints on Saturday, June 8.
Details on why it is shutting have not yet been given, but a
spokesperson for the pub said the decision was made with "great regret".
Found along Hempstead Road, the pub is notable for its sign which
depicts a spacecraft.
Believed to have started life as a farm building, the site has also
operated as an agriculture hall, shop and club before being turned into
a boozer. It opened under the name Flying Saucer in 1951 and, in 2014,
saw an extensive £180,000 makeover while still operated by the Spirit
Pub Company, with steps made to modernise the décor and revamp the
signage.
Then in 2015, Greene King absorbed Spirit in a £775 million deal to
create “the largest managed pub company in the UK and a real force to be
reckoned with”. The Flying Saucer is known for its live sports offering,
lunch and dinner menus, array of drinks and its spacious outdoor beer
garden.
Announcing the news of its closure, a Greene King spokesperson said:
“Closing a pub is never an easy decision, so it is with great regret
that we have decided to close the Flying Saucer in Gillingham and our
last day of trading will be on Saturday, 8 June. Our focus will remain
on supporting our team members at this time.”
The dog-friendly pub holds a TripAdvisor rating of four stars out of
five, with past punters praising the “attentive staff” and the
“fantastic food”. One reviewer wrote alongside their five-star rating:
“Great service, brilliant food. Would definitely recommend this pub -
warm and welcoming. Good value for money.”
News of the coming closure has been met with sadness from the local
community. Reacting to the announcement, one punter said: “So very many
memories made at the Flying Saucer - let’s hope someone will take it
over and keep it going.”
Another added: “Oh my goodness. That's terrible news. Those poor staff.”
Greene King also operates nearby pub the "Hungry Fox" near Hempstead
Valley Shopping Centre, which is set to remain open as usual. |
LICENSEE LIST
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