From the Faversham Times, Saturday 4 March 1939.

LICENSED HOUSE FOR SHELDWICH. FAVERSHAM LICENCE TRANSFERRED.

The Magistrates at the adjourned County Licensing Sessions, held at the Guildhall, Faversham, yesterday (Thursday), approved an application for the transfer of the license of the "Red Lion," Conduit Street, Faversham, to off-licence premises, occupied by Mr. Edward Thomas Milgate, at Sheldwich.

Mr. A. K. Mowll, who had made the application, said that both premises were owned my Messrs. Shepherd Neame Ltd. The off-licence at Sheldwich had been in existence since 1870, and it was proposed that Mr. Milgate should continue as the tenant if the application as granted. The area to which it was proposed to transfer the licence was one in which there was no licence at all at the moment. There was no licensed house within a diameter of one mile. The police raised no objection to the transfer, but two points had been very properly raised by the Superintendent Hoare. One was whether the shop should be entirely separated from the licensed premises. He (Mr. Mowll) had consulted the applicant and Messrs. Shepherd Neame Ltd., and they agreed with this, so what it was proposed to do was to use the shop purely as a village shop for groceries, etc., so that when children went in they would have no connection with the licensed premises at all. To do this, it would be necessary to make the entrance to the public bar on the opposite side, quite separate from the shop. The only other objection raised by the Superintendent was in connection with the present access, and the Company were prepared to provide a path and do away with the entrance by the steps. He (Mr. Mowll) therefore asked the Magistrates to approve the plans, subject to the alterations he had mentioned. In evidence, Mr. Milgate said he had held the off-licence at Sheldwich for fourteen years, and carried on a general store. There were 130 householders who used his house, and they were unanimously of opinion that the licence was desired. His wife and sister would look after the licensed premises, which would be entirely separate.

Formal evidence as to notices of the application was given by Mr. E. M. Edwards (Secretary of Messrs. Shepherd Neame, Ltd.) and Mr. Harry Pover, architect, proved the plans of the premises, showing the proposed alterations, and stated that there were no licensed premises within a mile diameter. The distance from the "Red Lion," Conduit Street, to the off-licence in Sheldwich was 2 miles 6 1/4 furlongs.

The application was granted, and the amended plans approved.