DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 06 November, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1879-

Swiss Cottage

Latest 1944+

 Henwood Green Road (Lower Green Road)

Pembury

Former Swiss Cottage 2010

Above Google image, March 2010.

 

It is suggested that this was not a public house but a premises operating as a general stores, grocers and off license.

By 2008 it was trading under the name of the "Village Tandoori" (sic) and the "Pembury Grill, Kebab, Pizza & Chicken Take Away."

 

Kent & Sussex Courier, Wednesday 4 May 1887.

Tunbridge Wells Petty sessions. Licensing.

The licence of the "Swiss Cottage" beer house, Pembury, was transferred from Mrs. Charlotte Harris to Mr. James Fry.

 

Unknown publication 1918.

COUNTY BENCH.

The beer "on" licenses of the "Forresters' Arms," Pembury, and the "Rising Sun," Lamberhurst, and the off-license at "Swiss Cottage," Pembury, had been adjourned for consideration by the Bench, and Mr. S. A. Cheale now appeared for the owners and licensees concerned, and applied for renewal.

The case of the "Rising Sun," Lamberhurst, was taken first.

P.S. West stated that having regard for the needs of the inhabitants, he thought the "Rising Sun" was hardly necessary. The house was in good order and well conducted.

By Mr. Cheale:- It was the only beer house in Lambehurst, and was very suitable for business. A fairly good trade was done. The husband of the present licensee held the license prior to joining the Army in 1916.

With reference to the "Foresters' Arms," Pembury. P.S. West gave similar evidence.

With regard to the off-licence at "Swiss Cottage," the witness stated that he was of the opinion that the licence was necessary as it was the only off-licence in the village.

By Alderman Caley:- The "Royal Oak" was about 300 yards away, and the freehold was held by the same person as "Swiss Cottage."

By Mr. Cheale:- If the license was taken away people would have to go to a fully licensed house for their bottle beer, and would object to sending their children to the "Royal Oak," at which there was no off bar.

Mr. Cheale submitted that there was a great distinction between fully licensed houses and beer houses, as the latter were necessarily established for the working classes with the idea of encouraging people to drink beer instead of Spirits. With regard to the "Rising Sun," it was a fact that before the war the barrelage had shown an increased, but from 208 barrels sold in 1913 the trade fell to 76 barrels in 1917, but this was mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining supplies of beer. The bottle trade had increased.

Mrs. Bishop, the licensee, said her husband joined the army in 1916. With half acre of garden they had made a good living. To be near to her relatives during the absence of our husband she made arrangements in January to leave the house to take the "Duke of York," Tonbridge Wells.

Leonard Victor Willett stated that he was wounded during the Battle of Ares, in consequence of which he had lost his right arm, and now had an artificial one. He was a native of Lamburhurst and upon his discharge, having to make a living for himself, wife and child, he agreed to take the "Rising Sun" for the sum between £50 pound £70. With the trade and the garden he could make a decent living, as the profits was estimated to be between £3 and £4 per week.

Mr. Allen Simpson gave evidence as to the restriction of the brewing of beer affecting the trade at the "Rising Sun."

 

The Chronicle and Courier, 16 September, 1921.

Lamberhurst Brewery Estate.

Important sale at Tunbridge Wells.

One of the biggest sales of licensed houses held in the provinces in recent years was conducted by Messrs. Wickenden and Sons at the Pump Room, Tunbridge Wells, on Friday, when the Lamberhurst Brewery Estate, comprising 68 lots, came Under the Hammer. The lots sold were:-

....

"Swiss Cottage," Pembury, £1,200

....

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

HARRIS Charlotte Mrs to May/1887 Kent and Sussex Courier

FRY James Mr May/1887+ Kent and Sussex Courier

PALMER Alfred 1904+

 

Kent and Sussex CourierKent and Sussex Courier

 

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

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