Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 8 February 1947.

The Priory Gets a Licence.

BENCH HEAR EDDINGTON APPLICATION.

Represented by Mr. A. J. Rowden, Richard R. Little, of Priory Cottage, Eddington, Herne Bay, applied at the annual licensing meeting of the St. Augustine’s Division held on Monday at Canterbury for a full liquor licence in respect of the Priory, Eddington.

Opposition from various licensees was offered by Mr. C. A. Gardner and by Mr. M. Kingsford.

For the applicant, Mr. A. J. Rowden said that a long while ago licensed premises called the "Farmers' Rest" used to supply the needs of Eddington. The present application only sought to restore premises which had previously existed.

The story was that a lot of wild Irishmen were brought to the town when the railway was built, and, considering that the "Farmers' Rest" might not be so restful, the authorities decided to close the premises.

Now there was nothing to provide alcoholic refreshment in Eddington. The nearest premises were at Herne and Herne Bay was very much neglected as far as new licences were concerned.

The town had grown very rapidly after the 1914-1918 war and although there had been a colossal rise in population, there had been only two new licences granted in recent years.

The opposition, contended Mr. Rowden, amounted to one of the greatest monopolies — the licensed trade — which, he declared was a closed shop. One had only to look at the brewers' profits to find why the application was being opposed.

Mr. Little told the Bench he intended to convert the "Priory" into a high class guest house with nine bedrooms.

After evidence from Mr. W. C. J. M. Bishop, an architect of Cromwell Road, Whitstable, that the "Priory" was 125 years old. Mr. Kingsford argued that there was no need for the licence as existing houses could satisfy the demands of the resident and visiting public.

Traffic along the Coastal Road, he submitted, would not make a detour at the roundabout when there were large modern licensed premises on the direct route of Thanet Way.

Chief-Insp. H. N. Tebay stated that in the opinion of the Police a full licence for the "Priory" was unnecessary.

After a retirement, the Bench announced that Mr. Little would be granted a licence to serve liquor with meals only. There would be no bar and the license would be allowed for a term of 3 1/4 years.