50 51 Biggin Street

51a

Dover

Above photo kindly sent by Paul Wells, from his book, "Dover Then and Now" by Paul Wells and Jeff Howe. Showing the hotel as being upstairs, photo circa 1920-30. Downstairs showing Britcher's Bon Marché, the ladies outfitters.

Above photo kindly supplied by Paul Wells.

Central Hotel showing the re-fronting that took place in the mid 1980's.

Above advert from 1970-1 kindly sent by Paul Wells.

I'm afraid that this wasn't originally listed in Barry Smith's research as it was more a hotel than an Inn.

The number 50 Biggin Street was also the "Three Tuns" and later the "Evening Star." It is unknown as yet when the premises was converted into the hotel, but it was certainly after 1896 as street widening demolished many houses in this area that year including what was previously here, I believe it to be the former "Lord Raglan".

Further information tells me that from 1912 to about 1921 the hotel was also known as the "Central Temperance Hotel." So no beer here between those dates I'm afraid.

The above passage from the Dover Express dated 1899 mentions that it was called "Lefevres Central Hotel." So I am led to believe that it was probably a temperance hotel then, and the Lefevres was probably the same who previously had the former "Saracen's Head" before it was demolished around 1895.

LICENSEE LIST

LEFEVRE ???? 1899 (probably Thomas)

WATTS C 1924

DIXON C 1932-38

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

From the Kelly's Directory 1965