DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Folkestone, June, 2022.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 23 June, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

 

Commercial Hotel?

 

205-207 Dover Road (1893)

Folkestone

Above photo showing the Alexandra Hotel, date unknown.

Commercial Hotel

Above shows the former "Commercial Hotel" situated on the corner of Dover Road and Alexandra Street. Photo by Paul Skelton, 5 July, 2009. Note the name still on the side of the building.

Former Alexandia Hotel 2012

Above photo kindly sent by Phil Nicholson, 29 November, 2012.

 

Before 1892 the building was a private residence, but by the time of the 1892/93 directory it was listed as Powell's Railway Temperance Hotel, 205-207, Dover Road.

In 1899-00 it was listed as Junction Commercial and Family Temperance Hotel, which is obviously what the wording, still seen on the side of the building shows.

In 1903-04 it had expanded to include 203, Dover Road.

By the time the 1915 directory was published the hotel was only listed as 205, Dover Road - 207 being a grocer's shop.

By the time of the 1921/22 directory the grocers shop was listed as 205-207 Dover Road and there was no trace of any reference to the Hotel.

We can be fairly certain that it was never licensed to sell alcoholic beverage at all.

 

Kentish Gazette 17 April 1855.

Quarter Sessions, Wednesday, before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.

There was but one prisoner for trial, John Philpott, 21, for obtaining 10s. under false pretence from Mary Ann Freezer. It appeared the prosecutor, John Gillitin, unable to write, got the landlord of the Commercial Inn to write a note to Mrs. Freezer, desiring her to send him the 10s; and sent the note by the prisoner, who withheld the note, and obtained the money, Mrs. Freezer believing she knew the prisoner; but that turned out to be a mistake.

Mr. John Minter, who appeared fur the prisoner, endeavoured to show that the note, deposed to was only a direction enabling the prisoner to find Mr. Freezer's residence; and that having obtained the money, he went to his father’s house at Cheriton, thence to Hythe, where he got tipsy, and, but for the incapacity thus caused, he would have handed the money to the prosecutor.

This ingenious defence seemed to influence some of the jury, as they were a considerable time absent. Eventually they brought in a verdict of Guilty.

The Recorder said he entirely agreed with the jury. In consideration of the prisoner having been already in gaol two months, he should sentence him to four months’ imprisonment with hard labour. He perceived by the list the prisoner could neither read nor write, which he considered a disgrace to him and his parents; there being a national school in the parish. As to the excuse set up that he was tipsy and incapable, it was another instance of the connection, almost universal, of drunkenness and crime.

 

LICENSEE LIST

 

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

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LINK to Even More Tales From The Tap Room