DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, March, 2021.

Page Updated Canterbury:- Sunday, 07 March, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton & Rory Kehoe

Earliest ????

Abbot's Barton Hotel

Open 2018+

36 New Dover Road

Canterbury

Abbot's Barton Hotel

Above photo, date unknown.

Abbot's Barton Hotel 2015

Above photo, 2015.

 

Originally known as Westfield house and situated in 3 acres of ground, the "Abbot's Barton Hotel" was a private residence until WW1 and then made available by Francis Bennett-Goldney's family to the Voluntary Aid Detachment as a hospital for wounded troops. Major Francis Bennett-Goldney MP died on active service in France on 27th July 1918 as the result of a motor accident and the family sold up in the 1930s. (Click here) Abbot's Barton House became the AB Hotel just after WW2 when, in 1949, the licence from the "Royal Fountain Hotel" (destroyed in the 1942 Baedeker Raids) was transferred by the Licensing Committee. The Hotel is now a 3 Star Best Western hotel.

 

From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk 6 November 2002.

£2 million transforms hotel with a history.

HUGE investment has resulted in the total refurbishment and re-opening of one of Canterbury's best-known hotels. It has taken two years and more than £2 million, but the owners of the imposing Gothic-style Abbot's Barton Hotel in New Dover Road believe they have created a four star venue.

Built in 1830 and once the home of the controversial former Mayor of Canterbury and city MP, Francis Bennett Goldney, the building became an hotel in 1927.

It is now owned by the San Guiseppe family, who already run the successful "Burlington Hotel" in Folkestone and are members of the Best Western group of independent hoteliers.

City council tourism and marketing officer Amanda Monk-Peak welcomed the re-opening of the business. She said: "We are delighted that the Abbot's Barton has been given a new lease of life. There is big demand for top quality accommodation in Canterbury and the investment is very welcome."

Michael Turner

General manager Michael Turner said: "Quite simply, we have started with a clean slate. Nothing has been left untouched and the hotel has been transformed.

"When we acquired the Abbot's Barton it did not have a good reputation but we knew it had great potential. However, it needed a lot of investment which the owners have put it. "Now we have to restore customer confidence which is why customer service is just as important as the facilities we provide."

At present, the hotel offers 40 new, en-suite bedrooms including a honeymoon suite. All have the latest facilities including Internet and Sky equipped televisions.

The number of rooms is soon to grow to 55 and ultimately 85 when the work is complete. There are also conference and meeting rooms, a top quality restaurant and the hotel is licensed for weddings with 31 bookings already taken for next year.

 

LICENSEE LIST

 

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