Above photo circa 1911. Showing Charles Rhodes and family in the doorway, opposite is Swan Farm.

Above postcard, circa 1914, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. With licensees Mr & Mrs Charles Rhodes standing in the doorway of their pub. At the time this photograph was taken, the pub was within the tied estate of Charles Kidd's Steam Brewery, Dartford. One of about 65 tied houses, it became a Courage house, when Kidd's was acquired and closed down in 1937.

Lieut. Colonel Charles Newman Kidd died on 5th October 1917, aged c.73 and was buried in Dartford's East Hill cemetery. In February 1918, it was reported that Kidd's will had been proved and that he had left a small fortune: some £273,000! In 2024, this would be the equivalent of leaving c.£25m!

Above Google image 2017.

From the http://www.newsshopper.co.uk by Tom Bull, 1 September 2017.

Plans to reopen the Royal Charlotte in Crayford have been approved.

Plans to reopen an empty pub in Crayford have been passed by Bexley Council.

Proposals to refurbish the bar area of the "Royal Charlotte" and build three flats about the pub were passed at a meeting last night, Thursday, August 31.

Councillors unanimously backed the proposals which will see the pub, near Crayford station, reopen under mixed usage, and councillors welcomed the return of the pub.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Andy Dourmoush said: “There’s nothing on this application that causes me any concern. I think the retention of the public house is a positive thing. Personally I welcome it.”

The bar will expand into the food market, with councillor David Leaf pointing out this would mean people visit the Charlotte not to necessarily drink.

The pub has been listed as an asset of community value.

The pub will have one studio flat along with one and two bedroom apartments built above the refurbished bar area downstairs.

Residents had raised concerns over the plans to reopen the pub with one objection submitted saying that a resident moved into the area thinking the pub was closed for good.

It said: "Disturbance will be caused to the nursery room which is at the front of a nearby property."

It has been recommended the premises runs from 10am to 10.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 11pm on Saturdays and 11am to 10pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 3rd January 2018.

Plans turn Crayford's Royal Charlotte pub into flats given approval.

Plans to turn a closed Crayford pub into flats have been given permission after an appeal.

The Royal Charlotte Pub in Station Road had permission granted last year to reopen the boozer under mixed usage, with some flats being installed alongside the revamped pub.

Councillors unanimously backed the proposals in September, where councillor Andy Dourmoush said: “There’s nothing on this application that causes me any concern. I think the retention of the public house is a positive thing. Personally I welcome it.”

However, an application from January last year that was refused in April has been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

The council was concerned about the potential loss of a community asset under this application, which is just for five flats.

The inspector said that because of the amount of other pubs, there would be no real loss to a community asset.

The inspector said: "There would appear to be several alternative public house venues within relatively easy walking distance for most people from the appeal site. Therefore I am not persuaded that the proposal would result in any significant harm to the community’s ability to meet its day to day needs."

The appeal was granted by the inspectorate and has given the green light for the Charlotte to be turned into five flats comprising once studio, a one bed, two two-bedroom flats and a three bed.