DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Deal, April, 2023.

Page Updated Deal:- Friday, 14 April, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1886-

Beach House Hotel

Latest 1933+

12 Beach Street

Deal

Beach Hotel

Above photo, date unknown, kindly sent by Paul Wells.

Beach House Temperance Hotel 1896

Above photo, 1896, kindly sent by Colin Varrall.

Beach House Hotel 1910

Above photo of the Beach House Temperance Hotel circa 1910. Kindly supplied by Richard Jefferson, grandson of Samuel Robinson-Jefferson.

Staff at the Beach Hotel.

Above photo showing the staff at the hotel. Kindly supplied by Richard Jefferson.

Chambermaids and waitresses 1900s

Chambermaids and waitresses 1900s, kindly sent by Fay Sampson Priestly.

Chambermaids and waitresses 1900s

Chambermaids and waitresses 1900s, kindly sent by Fay Sampson Priestly.

Beach House Hotel 1925

Above postcard, circa 1925, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Beach House Hotel

Above photo, date unknown, kindly sent by Graham Butterworth.

Beach Hotel, Deal

Above picture of the Beach Hotel, date unknown, kindly supplied by Sue Solley.

Beach House Hotel

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Paul Wells.

Beach House Hotel

Above photo, date unknown.

Beach House Hotel

Above two photos shows the "Beach House Hotel" just right of the centre of the photos. Dates unknown.

 

Not sure whether they had a public licence for beer and spirits, but including this hotel anyway. In the second picture down the words "Temperance" can just be seen, but they are missing on all other pictures I have found so far.

The first owner I am aware of was a Samuel Jefferson, who after serving 21 years and 4 days in the Royal Marines, was discharged on 5th December 1885 and shortly after this ran the Beach House and Temperance Hotel.

Michael Crouch, owner of the above website says the following:- "The Temperance movement is very difficult to trace any individual details about as so few records survive today. However both Jefferson men were also Freemasons and there may be a link there. I don't know whether that organisation had any sway in the running of hotels and other establishments but I guess it is a possibility if it furthered their own ends.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 1 May, 1903. Price 1d.

SUICIDE OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER

THREE WAYS OF OBTAINING DEATH

A very determined case of suicide occurred at Deal on Friday. Mr. Harry Powls, traveller for the Formalin Hygienic Company, London, came to the “Beach House Hotel” soon after four o'clock on Thursday afternoon. There was nothing unusual about his appearance. before retiring to bed for the night, he complained to one of the maids of being unwell, and asked if his breakfast might not be cooked till he came down. He also said to “boots,” “Don't call me up in the morning as I am not very well.” Nothing, however, occurred to create suspicion. As he did not appear either at breakfast or lunch, and the door of his room was locked. Mr. Jefferson's nephew, who happened to be in charge at the time, knocked at the door, but could get no answer. His suspicions were aroused that something was wrong, and thinking the man might be ill, and that it was necessary to get in, he communicated by telephone to the Police. Police-sergeant Barnes and police-constable Dale came and endeavoured to get into the room. The lock was forced, but even then it was found impossible to enter, as a chest of drawers had been placed against the door. A pane of glass had eventually to be broken, and an entrance to be effected by was of the front window, which was accomplished by about three o'clock. The deceased was then found dead in bed, having apparently shot himself through the mouth with a revolver, four out of five chambers being still loaded, and one discharged. A small bottle containing poison stood close at hand, and this, together with the fact of his having vomited, pointed to his having first endeavoured to poison himself. He had also evidently tried suffocation by gas, as the crevices of the door and window were plastered with paper, and the room was full of gas, which was escaping from the gas-fitting, the burner having apparently been broken off to allow the gas to escape more freely. A sealed envelope, with a note that it was to be sent to the deceased's mother, was found in the room.

The inquest was held on the same day. There was no evidence to show any cause for the act, and a verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity” was returned.

 

From Pain's Walmer & District Directory. 1906-19.

Beach House Family and Commercial Temperance Hotel, Deal

 

This First-class Hotel is situated in the best position in the town, standing in its own ground, immediately facing the Sea, and commanding one of the finest Sea Views on the South Coast.

The constant stream of vessels passing through the historic Downs at such a short distance from the land, is a source of ever-charming interest.

Deal is recognised by the Medical Profession to be one of the healthiest towns in England.

The Hotel contains fine Bedrooms, spacious Drawing, Coffee, Smoking, Dining and Private Sitting Rooms, the whole of which are Furnished and Fitted in High-class Style.

Proprietor J. Jefferson, Tele no.4

 

From the Deal, Walmer, Sandwich and East Kent Mercury, 2nd September, 1933.

"Beach Hotel realises £4,200.

By order of the trustees of the late Mr. Edward Chitty, J.P., a sale by auction of the unrestricted freehold premises, the Beach Hotel, Deal, which, with a commanding frontage of about 160 ft. to the seafront and close to the Pier, has been described as the key position to the Front, was held at the Auction Mart, Park Street, on Wednesday afternoon by the firm of Messrs. Worsfold & Hayward, as a result of which the hotel was disposed of for £4,200 to the tenant, Mr. R. Rowe. [...]

The hotel is let on lease for a term of years expiring on March 25th, 1941, at the rental of £200 a year."

 

The premises was unfortunately demolished in the 1940s.

 

From the East Kent Mercury, 30 June, 2011

HOTEL THAT DEFENDED US FROM THE ENEMY

THIS week's Now and Then feature focuses on the former Beach Hotel which once stood opposite the "Port Arms" and "King's Head" pub on Deal seafront.

Beach Hotel demolition 1952

The black and white photographs show the demolition of the hotel, which, during wartime, had been transformed into a blockhouse to defend the coast against German invaders.

These pictures were brought into the Mercury offices by John Richards (known as Jack) who worked on the blasting during the flattening of the area. The main picture shows a work-mate standing by the half-collapsed building, while the inset shows Mr Richards. He estimates the date of the pictures as some time in 1952 or 1953.

Today, Mercury photographer Paul Amos's image shows similarities in the street scene below.

Beach Hotel site 2011

The upper side window at what is now Wellington's cafe, close to the roundabout by Deal Pier, can still be deciphered while the slope of the roof and the stout chimney pots remain unchanged at the "Beachbrow Hotel".

John Richards

Mr Richards (left) said during war years, the exterior of the blockhouse remained the same to prevent suspicion from the enemy on the continent.

Now the promenade provides beautiful views for walkers and cyclists, while the shared performance area opposite the Port Arms, the "King's Head" and "Dunkerley's Hotel" is a popular venue throughout the summer for live music, eating, socialising and people-watching.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

JEFFERSON Samuel 1886+

JEFFERSON James 1911-17 (age 41 in 1911Census)

ROWE Mr R C 1933-39+

 

CensusCensus

 

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

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