Folkestone Herald 3 September 1898.

Notice.

To the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Cheriton, in the County of Kent.

To the Superintendent of Police for the Division of Elham, otherwise known as the Upper Division of Shepway, in the same County.

And to all whom it may concern.

I, Charles Robert Quested, now residing at the Imperial Beer House, Tile Kiln, Broadmead, in the parish of Cheriton, in the County of Kent, Grocer and beer House Keeper, being a person interested in certain premises known as the Imperial Beer House, Kiln, Broadmead, in the parish of Cheriton, in the County of Kent, and the cottage adjoining thereto on the Northern side thereof, which cottage is now in the occupation of Jane Clifford, my sub-tenant, and which Beer House and Cottage are about to be altered and constructed for the purpose of being used as a house for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors to be Consumed on the Premises, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the Adjourned General Annual Licensing Meeting of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said Division, to be holden in and for the said County at the Sessions Hall, Bank Street, Hythe, in the said County at Eleven o'clock in the forenoon, on Thursday the Twenty Second Day of September, 1898, for the Provisional Grant of a Licence, authorising me to apply for and hold any of the Excise Licenses that may be held by a Publican for the sale by Retail of Intoxicating Liquors, to wit, Spirits, Wine, Beer and Liqueurs, Cider, and Perry, to be consumed either on or off the premises at the said Imperial Beer House, situate at Tile Kiln, Broadmead, in the parish of Cheriton, in the County of Kent, and the cottage adjoining thereto on the Northern side thereof, which said premises are about to be altered and constructed as aforesaid for the purpose of being used for the sale of Intoxicating Liquors, to be consumed either on or off the premises, and which said premises are intended to be kept and used as an Inn, Alehouse, or Victualling House, and of which said premises Henry Mackeson and George Laurie Mackeson, of Hythe, in the County of Kent, Brewers, are the Owners, and of whom I rent the same.

Given under my hand this 30th day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninetyeight.

Charles R. Quested.

Folkestone Herald 24 September 1898.

Hythe Licensing Sessions.

The Adjourned Licensing Meeting for the Elham Division of Kent was held at Hythe on Thursday before Captains Baldwin (Chairman), Mansell, and Smythie.

Messrs. Mackeson Brothers, Brewers, Hythe, applied for a full licence for the Imperial Inn, at Cheriton, which they intended to rebuild. The owners of the White Lion, the opposition public house, contested the application. Mr. Lonergan wanted a licence for an hotel which he proposed to erect at Cheriton. The White Lion proprietors opposed this application, as also did the trustees of the Unity Inn, Cheriton. Both these cases were heard together.

Mr. Minter, solicitor, Folkestone, appeared for Messrs. Mackeson; Mr. Martyn Mowll (Mowll and Mowll, Dover), for Messrs. George Beer and Co., brewers; Mr. Frederic Hall, Folkestone, for Mr. Lonergan; and Mr. Barron, New Romney, for the Unity Inn trustees.

It was urged against Messrs. Mackeson's application that as only six houses had been built in the vicinity of the Imperial there was no need for another full licence.

The Bench granted the application.

In the latter case, Mr. Lonergan said that out of an estate of 300 houses which were in the course of erection, 24 were already built, and a public house was a necessity. Opposing counsel denied that 24 houses were erected, reducing the number to six.

This application was refused.

Folkestone Herald 22 October 1898.

Local News.

At the County Licensing Sessions, a few days ago, Mr. Hohler applied for the confirmation of an order granted to Charles Robert Quested for a full licence at Cheriton. Mr. Hind appeared for the opposition.

Mr. Hohler stated that the population of Cheriton during the last few years had increased very much. In 1881 the Census taken was 670, in 1890 it had grown to 1,570, and at the present time undoubtedly it was over 2,000. There was only one other fully licensed house at Cheriton, the White Lion, with the exception of the Unity, which was situated close to Shorncliffe Camp, and a mile and a half from the house in respect of which he applied that day. The Elham Magistrates, before granting the licence, inspected the site of the new premises proposed to be erected if the Committee confirmed their decision, and were quite satisfied. The Rev. R.E. Johnson and the trade opposed the granting of the licence. The former, in his “Parish Magazine”, gave his reasons, which were very candid. He stated in this periodical that he did not blame the Magistrates; they gave the case very grave consideration, and in view of the existing state of the law and public opinion they did not act wantonly. Proceeding, Counsel stated that since 1887 to 1898, 172 new houses had been built.

Applicant stated that he had held an “off” beer licence at Cheriton for 10½ years, and had never had any complaints made. He was of opinion that there was need for further accommodation.

By Mr. Hind: There was a grocers' licence. He should estimate there were 20 houses built near him during the last year.

Ernest Stringer Wilks, surveyor, of Hythe and Folkestone, said he drew up the plan (produced). Since 1887 there had been 308 houses built, or in the course of erection. There was some very valuable building land in the vicinity.

Edgar Wilson, surveyor, of Cheriton, and Richard Pilcher, builder, also gave evidence.

Mr. Hind, for the opposition, contended that no additional licence at all was necessary at Cheriton. If he was wrong in that contention, then he should certainly contend that no additional licence was required at that particular site, and, further, he hoped to show that there were several reasons why a licence should not be granted in that particular locality. The White Lion was to be considerably enlarged, and sufficient accommodation would then be provided for the village. He also reminded the Committee that the house was 500 yards from the high road, and therefore was difficult for police supervision. Learned Counsel proceeded to recite reasons why it was desirable that no licence should be granted. He impressed upon them that this opposition was not brought forward through bigotry and mistaken views of temperance. He called the Rev. Robert Edwin Johnson M.A., Vicar of All Souls, Cheriton, who said he opposed the licence before the justices in 1897, when the licence was refused. The locality had not materially altered since then. He had resided in the parish for 8½ years, and he believed if a licence were granted to this house, it would have a most injurious effect upon the parish. He was not prepared to say an application might not be made in the future for a licence somewhere in the neighbourhood. He was perfectly sure an immense amount of injury would be done to the whole village if this application was granted.

By Mr. Hohler: When the population in the vicinity of the Imperial public house in respect of which application was made reached 1,000 the matter might be considered. When the White Lion was finished it would provide ample accommodation.

The Recorder: You have told us that if this licence were granted it would be so injurious to the village, the extent of which you could not forecast, but you have not given us any reason for this statement.

Rev. R.E. Johnson: I mean that if the licence is granted to this house, a quarter of a mile from the main road, immediately outside the gates of the laundry, and in a district perpetually frequented by soldiers from the Camp, it could not fail to produce a very detrimental effect on the morality of the parish.

Proceeding, the Rev. gentleman said another reason why he objected to the licence was that it would be a temptation to the workmen at the brickworks, and the hands of the laundry, to waste their money and their time.

General Hallam Parr, Commandant of the Forces at Shorncliffe, residing at Cheriton, not far from the site of the Imperial, said he should very much regret it if the licence were granted. The position of the laundry, from the military point of view, was very unfortunate. He had had to have mounted patrols to keep order. He could make the laundry and the White Lion “out of bounds”, but he should be very loth to do that, as he would be separating the men from civilian friends, which was most undesirable.

Colonel Ward, Chief Constable for Kent, spoke as to complaints having been received as to the behaviour of the laundry girls and the soldiers, in consequence of which he had had to station another constable in the village. He thought it most undesirable that another licence should be granted, because he found there were ample means now for getting too much to drink.

The Chairman said the Committee thought, from the evidence given, the licence was not required, and the application would be refused.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 12 November 1898.

Concluding an exhaustive and descriptive article on a recent refusal of the Kent Quarter Sessions to grant a full licence at the "Imperial" beer house at Cheriton the Rev. R. E. Johnston says:- "The refusal of the licence removes the great peril from the parish. I do not know whether any further attempts will be made to obtain a full licence for the "Imperial," but I sincerely hope not. Such attempts cost much money to those who make them, and they are not likely to succeed. The matter has now been before Quarter Sessions. The record of this evidence cannot be removed, and it is tolerably certain that the magistrate will not change their decision until the circumstances of the place materially alter. For my part I intend to pursue the same policy as in the last five years. That policy is to offer an uncompromising opposition to all fresh licences until the population has so increased as to fairly demand more accommodation. When it becomes necessary that another licence should be granted, then it will be my endeavour to ensure that such licence shall be planted in an open position, where the house can be easily controlled by the police, and where it will not present special temptations."

Folkestone Herald 28 April 1906.

Elham County Bench.

Thursday, April 26th: Before Mr. J. Du Boulay, Colonel H. Mallett, Captain Mansell, and Messrs. F.D. Brockman, A.S. Jones, and F.D. Burke.

The licence of the Imperial Beer House, Cheriton, was transferred to Walter John Church until the next transfer day (24th May).

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 26 May 1906.

Elham County Bench.

Thursday, May 24th: Before Mr. J. Du Boulay, Messrs. A.S. Jones, F.E. Burke, E.S. Thompson, and F.A. Mackinnon.

The licence of the Imperial Inn, Cheriton, was transferred to Walter John Church.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 13 January 1934.

Local News.

Seabrook Magistrates on Thursday granted the application of Mrs. W.J. Church, of the Imperial, Cheriton, for the transfer to her of the off licence held by her late husband, Councillor W.J. Church.

Folkestone Herald 11 February 1939.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Two applications were made at the annual Folkestone licensing Sessions held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, for the removal of the licences of two public houses to other premises in the borough. There was a considerable amount of opposition to both proposals, which affected residential districts that have developed rapidly during the past few years. After a lengthy hearing both applications were refused.

Sitting with Councillor Wood were Dr. W.W. Nuttall Mr. A.E. Pepper. Alderman Mrs. E. Gore, Alderman W. Hollands and Dr. F. Wolverson.

The Magistrates then heard an application by Messrs. Mackeson and Company, Ltd., for a provisional ordinary removal of the fullv licensed South Foreland, Seagate Street, to the Imperial off-licence premises in Tile Kiln Lane, Cheriton.

The applicants were represented by Mr. Gerald A. Thesiger. The application was opposed by Mr. Rutley Mowll, who appeared for the proprietors of the White Lion Hotel (Messrs. George Beer and Rigden) and Mr. H.T. Samway, the licensee; Mr. B.H. Bonniface, who represented the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers’ Association; the Rev. W.J.T. Brown; and Mr. L. Pocock, representing the Customs and Excise. Mr. Bonniface’s opposition was later withdrawn when it was stated that Messrs. Mackeson would give an undertaking that the South Foreland would not afterwards be used as a registered club.

Mr. Thesiger stated that both sites were owned by Messrs. Mackeson and Company Ltd., who were local brewers. Mr. Jordan, who was the licensee of the South Foreland, had held that position for many years and was the third generation of the family to do so. There was a slight increase in the trade of the house, which was situated in a part of Folkestone where there were a number of other houses. There were in fact live or six other licensed premises within a few hundred yards of that site The population of that district was moving to the north and the applicants desired that the licence should follow those people who had been accustomed to taking refreshments, at the South Foreland. It was the desire of the applicants that the working man should treat the premises as a kind of club. In the actual plans of the proposed new building no allowance had been made for a room to be set apart for children, but provision could be made. What was required in that district was a club for men to forget their family worries a little, and he did not think there would be any need for a room for women and children. He had drawn two circles around the Imperial on a map, one with a diameter of a quarter of a mile and the second with a diameter of half a mile. Within the first circle there was no other public house whatsoever and that was also the case in regard to the second circle. A circle with a diameter of three-quarters of a mile did admittedly bring in the White Lion Hotel, but for those in the district of North Cheriton there was no bus to the White Lion and they had to walk. He did not think there were any other material premises within that circle. In the smallest circle there were 180 houses, 15 of which had been built during the past four or five years. In the second circle there were 726 houses, 202 of which were new, and the population would be roughly 3,000, served only by the existing “off” licence premises. In the largest circle there were 1,461 houses, 299 of which were new, the only fully licensed premises being the White Lion. Mr. Thesiger then produced a petition in favour of the application which, he said, had been signed bv 296 people, all living west of the old boundary. There was, he continued, an estate being developed in north-east Cheriton on which 180 £600 houses were being erected, and the Folkestone Estate, who were developing the land, had no objection to the application. There was also another building site being developed in the neighbourhood of Shaftesbury Avenue on which 80 houses were being built.

One would have thought that the case for the temperance opposition would be served by the fact that the Company were providing decent premises. Many people at the present time, after buying their drinks at the “off” licence premises, consumed them in the street.

Commander N.C.M. Findlay, Managing Director of Messrs. Mackeson and Company, Ltd., said that the Imperial “off” licence had very considerable trade. Some of their customers, much against the company's wish, did actually drink their beer outride the premises and then go in again to get warm before going home. He did not think that the granting of a full licence to the Imperial would affect the White Lion Hotel.

Mr. Pocock: You intend to pull down the old premises and build another, don’t you?

Witness: Yes.

How much will it cost? - Between £2,000 and £3,000.

You would not spend that amount and not expect any return? - No, of course not.

You admit there is a great demand there? – Yes.

Philip Driver, Woodfield House, Shaftesbury Avenue, giving evidence in favour of the application, also referred to the fact that drink was consumed outside the “off” premises in the sight of children.

Arthur E. Dawkins, employed by Messrs. Mackeson gave evidence with regard to collecting names for the petition.

Mr. Mowll said he would quote the words of Mark Twain when he found that he was reported as being dead, said “It is entirely premature”.

Mr. Pocock said if was as much his duty as the duty of the Bench to protect the public in such cases. They had been told that the South Foreland was within a few hundred yards of five or six other licensed premises where there was competition, and the applicants wanted to remove the licence to a place where there was little competition. In other words they were trying to get something for nothing. It seemed to him that it was unfair, unjust and wrong. He considered they should pay monopoly value.

The Rev. W.J.T. Brown said he did not believe there was any real demand for that kind of house in the district, and he did not think it was desirable that they should be turned into clubs. Within a short distance of the Imperial there was a large laundry at which there were many young people employed. Mr. Brown put in a petition against the application, signed by 152 people.

The Magistrates announced that the application would be refused.

Folkestone Herald 21 January 1950.

Notice.

To: The Town Clerk of the Borough of Folkestone.

The Clerk to the Licensing Justices of the Borough of Folkestone. The Superintendent of Police of the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent.

And to All whom it may concern.

I, Alice Mary Benwell, widow, now residing at the Imperial, Tile Kiln Lane, Cheriton, in the Licensing Distict of Folkestone in the County of Kent, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Borough to be holden at The Town Hall in the said Borough on the 8th day of February next for the grant to me of a Justices Licence authorising me to apply for and hold an Excise Licence to sell by retail any intoxicating liquor which may be sold under a publican's licence for consumption off the premises situate at Tile Kiln Lane, Cheriton, and known by the sign of The Imperial, and which premises Mackeson and Company Limited, of The Brewery, Hythe, in the County of Kent is the owner, and of whom I rent them.

Given under my hand this 12th day of January, 1950.

A.M. Benwell.

Folkestone Herald 11 February 1950.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Mrs. Alice Mary Benwell, of the Imperial, Tile Kiln Labe, Cheriton, successfully applied for a full off licence for the premises.

Mr. L.E. Swann, representing Mrs. Benwell, said she had held the licence since 1947. In recent years the area had developed very considerably, and there had been over 200 houses built within a quarter of a mile of the premises.

Folkestone Herald 18 August 1962.

Local News.

Plans for a new public house at Cheriton were revealed at Folkestone Transfer Sessions on Wednesday, when the Justices approved an application for the provisional grant of a publican's licence, made by Mr. Walter Thunder, on behalf of Mackeson and Co., Ltd.

Mr. Phillip Bratcher, representing the brewery, explained that his clients proposed to build a public house called The Cherry Pickers on their site at the junction of Ashley Avenue and Dennis Way, Cheriton. Outline planning permission had been given by the Council's Housing and Town Planning Committee. Mr. Bratcher said that if the grant was approved, Mackeson's would surrender their full off-licence in respect of premises in Ashley Avenue, owned by them, and known as The Imperial. They would also give up their “hung-over” full on-licence remaining since the war, for the Wheatsheaf, in Bridge Street, Folkestone. The Cherry Pickers would rely mainly on local custom, and not on passing travellers, for business. Mr. Bratcher went on to say that entrances to the saloon bar, public bars, and to the off-sales department of the new public house would be in the front of the building, facing the Ashley Avenue/Dennis Way junction. Mackeson's intended to have a resident licensee on the premises, and would eventually apply for a transfer of the provisional grant to him.

After examining the plans showing detains of The Cherry Pickers, the Justices granted the licence.

Folkestone Herald 8 April 1967.

Local News.

A well-known licensee, Mr. Percy Sidney Taylor, aged 66, died at his home last week.

Mr. Taylor, of 175 Downs Road, lived in Folkestone all his life and until the second world war conducted the Brewery Tap public house in Tontine Street. After the war he bought the Imperial off-licence in Ashley Avenue, Cheriton, where he stayed until he retired. Mr. Taylor leaves a widow, Mrs. Elna Taylor, a son, Mr. Norman Percy Taylor, and a grandson, Barry Taylor.

A funeral service was held at St. John's Church, Folkestone, on Friday, and cremation at Hawkinge followed.