DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 07 March, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest ????

Spitfire

Open 2020+

1 Liberty Square

King's Hill

01732 220754

https://www.spitfirekingshill.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/spitfire

Spitfire 2011

Above photo 2011 by Oast House Archives Creative Commons Licence.

Spitfire sign 2002Spitfire sign 2011

Above sign left, March 2002, sign right 2011.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

 

The pub forms part of the 650-acre King's Hill business and residential park, which stands on the site of Battle of Britain air station RAF West Malling.

At the height of the World War II conflict, 141 squadron flew in Boulton Paul Defiant two-seat fighters, until they were replaced by 66 Squadron with faster Mk1 Spitfires in late 1940.

The pub sign here depicts a Mk16 Spitfire built in 1944 as a ground fighter, which flew with 66 Squadron, and can now be seen preserved at the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum in Manston, near Ramsgate.

 

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.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By William Janes, 28 February 2018.

The Spitfire pub set for refurbishment in Kings Hill.

Work is set to begin on a £1m refurbishment of a popular village pub.

The Spitfire, in Liberty Square, Kings Hill, will close for radical alteration works on Monday, March 5 to reopen at the end of April.

Changes will include the separation of the ground floor into three dining areas around a central bar, a refitted kitchen, and new decor.

Spitfire 2018

The Spitfire in Kings Hill.

The Shepherd Neame pub was built in 1999 on a former Battle of Britain RAF base, a history that inspired its name, which is shared by the brewery’s range of Spitfire beers.

The famous aircraft has also influenced plans for the pub’s new signage, a painted profile of a Spitfire on the outside of the building.

A hand-painted swing sign featuring the World War Two era fighter plane will also be added.

The first floor, which is currently another dining and drinking area for customers, will be turned into a function room with its own bar, accommodating up to 100 people.

It will be completely refurbished, along with the current smaller function rooms on the first floor and second floors, both accommodating up to 20.

Outside, a new awning will be installed at the front of the pub, covering a new dining area.

Another covered dining terrace will also be built in the garden.

Nigel Bunting, director of retail and tenanted operations at the brewery, said: “This year marks the 100 anniversary of the RAF, so we seem to have chosen a fitting time to reinvigorate this popular pub.

"We would like to thank our customers for their patience during the closure, and hope they will agree it was worth the wait when the new-look Spitfire opens in a couple of months.”

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Luke May, 20 June 2019.

In West Malling the "Spitfire" won Managed Business of the Year following a £1million refurb.

Spitfire 2019

Above photo 2019.

 

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