From the Dover Express, 7 December 1951.

Contractors are now engaged on demolishing the "Prince Imperial" Hotel, at the junction of Strond Street and Limekiln Street, near the Packet Yard. Eventually, Strond Street will be closed and become part of the enclosed dockyard.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 November, 1869.

SUSPECT

Frederick Knowles, a young man, was charged with loitering in Snargate Street, on the previous night, for the purpose, it was supposed, of committing a felony, the prisoner being unable to give a satisfactory account of himself.

Police-constable Pilcher said he saw the prisoner loitering about near the “Prince Imperial Hotel,” Snargate Street, on the previous night, at half-past ten. He supposed him to be there for an unlawful purpose, and as he refused to allow himself to be searched, he took him to the station-house.

The prisoner, in defence, said he had no intention of doing anything wrong. He had been to Shorncliffe Camp to try and enlist for a soldier; but not having succeeded, he was on his way to his lodgings when he was stopped by the constable. He was not loitering about, but was walking along, and the constable followed him from the “Apollonian Hall” to the place where he stopped him, when he said something about a knife which he thought prisoner had. The prisoner complained that the police were continually stopping him, and searching him in the public thoroughfare. He thought they had no right to do so, and he therefore on this occasion refused to be searched; but he told the constable that he would go with him to the station-house, and be searched there. He had been before the Bench previously on a charge of suspicion, but had not been convicted. The police had informed him a few days ago, when he had no shoes on his feet, that if he did not get a pair, they would lock him up, and they were continually threatening him.

In reply to the Bench, the Superintendent said that the prisoner was frequently seen with thieves and strangers in the town, and that he had been convicted; but prisoner denied both accusations, and said he tried to get an honest living in the town and neighbourhood; but as soon as he obtained anything to do, he was hunted out of the place by the police.

As the prisoner promised to leave the town, the Magistrates discharged him, but directed Police-constable Pilcher to see him away.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 25 November, 1870.

AN ABUSIVE FLYDRIVER

Alfred Southwood, the driver of a hackney carriage No. 28, was summoned for using abusive language, while plying for hire, contrary to the bye-law, on the 9th November.

On being asked by the Mayor whether he was guilty or not guilty of the charge, the defendant, after some hesitation, said that he thought, perhaps, he was guilty.

The Town Clerk, who appeared in support of the information, said the Local Board were indebted to Mr. Erskine for coming forward to prosecute in this case. [The Hon. Mr. Erskine was present, and occupied a seat upon the Bench.] It appeared that Mr. Erskine arrived at Dover by the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway, shortly before six o'clock, on the evening of Wednesday, the 9th inst. He engaged the defendant's fly, in which he was driven to the “Imperial Hotel.” Mr. Erskine was alone, and he had only two pieces of baggage; but on arriving at the hotel the defendant charged him half-a-crown. Believing that this must be an exorbitant fare, he appealed to the porter of the hotel, who informed him that the fare could not be more than eight-pence. Strictly speaking the fare was only 1s. Mr. Erskine offered the defendant 1s. 6d.; but defendant thereupon became very abusive, and made use of foul language, and it was for this language, and not for the overcharge, that the summons was taken out.

Mr. Knocker then called the porter at the “Imperial Hotel,” who deposed to the facts which had been stated; but he said that the defendant was the worse for liquor, and gave it as his opinion that if he had not been he would not have conducted himself in this manner.

The defendant's employer had been summoned to produce the defendant's license, in order that it might be endorsed; but he said that he had searched for it everywhere and was unable to find it.

In reply to the Mayor, the defendant's employer said that he had been in his service “this time” for about ten months. He had employed him, however, on two previous occasions; and altogether he had been in his service for about six years. During that time he had left his employ twice; but on both occasions he did so to better himself, and not for misbehaviour. He believed the defendant had his license when he came back to his employ the last time; and he was able to say that it did not bear any endorsement.

Superintendent Coram, in reply to the Magistrates, said the defendant had been summoned before for breaking the bye-laws, though he did not recollect the exact nature of the offence.

The Mayor told the defendant that he must apply to the Town Clerk for a new license, upon which an endorsement of this conviction would appear, and that he must not drive again till he obtained it. His Worship then said that the Bench reiterated the thanks which had already been expressed by the Town Clerk on behalf of the Local Board to the Hon. Mr. Erskine, for taking the pains to bring this offence under the notice of the authorities. The defendant would be fined 8s. and 12s. costs; and in default of payment he would be imprisoned for fourteen days.

The defendant said he had no money; but his employer said he would pay the fine on his behalf.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 16 August, 1872. Price 1d.

BEGGING

George Jones was charged by Police-sergeant Stevens with begging in Limekilm Street.

Stevens deposed to seeing he prisoner beg in Limekiln Street on the previous evening, and also in the "Prince Imperial Hotel," where he asked relief both of the barmaid and some gentlemen in the bar. Defendant denied begging when taken into custody, and said he had been in the "Prince Imperial" for some beer.

It appeared that 2s. 4d., in coppers, had been found on defendant's person at the station-house.

Prisoner was discharged on promising to quit the town.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 26 January, 1877. Price 1d.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY

John White, navvy, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Snargate Street.

Police-constable Baker said he was on duty in Snargate Street about quarter-past six the preceding evening, when he was called to the "Prince Imperial Hotel." Prisoner was there, drunk and disorderly, and the landlady told him to leave the house but he refused to go. Witness put him out and he obstructed the foot-path and created a disturbance. he then took him into custody and at the station he became very violent.

Prisoner said he did not recollect anything about it. he was willing to go back to his work again.

The Bench fined him 1s.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 17 March, 1882. Price 1d.

ADVERT

The Prettiest Bar in the County of Kent. – One of the sights of Dover is the Bar of the “Prince Imperial.”

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 March, 1886. Price 1d.

TRESPASSING ON THE PRINCE IMPERIAL

Alfred Phipps, 14, and Alfred Lilo, 13, were charged with being on the enclosed premises of the “Prince Imperial Hotel,” Liverpool Street, for an unlawful purpose, and doing damage to the same.

Mr. Vernon Knocker appeared to prosecute, and stated that a considerable amount of damage had been done to the “Imperial Hotel” by boys. It was the wish of the owners that the place should be kept as tidy as possible.

Police-constable Bath said: On Tuesday, about 3.30 in the afternoon, I saw four boys and a little girl in the grounds of the “Imperial Hotel.” They were walking towards the back part of the premises. I watched about ten minutes and they all came out. They were dragging some wood. They loaded one boy up and made their way towards Liverpool Street. The older boy Phipps stopped and broke one of the panes of glass in the basement with his foot. I then got into a buss whish was going down Liverpool Street and when near the defendants got out. The younger defendant dropped the candlestick produced in the road. I then found a new pipe in his pocket. I then took them to the Police Station. The elder boy admitted breaking the window.

As the charge was not pressed the Bench thoroughly cautioned the defendants, and dismissed them.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 27 April, 1900. Price 1d.

CAPTURED UNDER THE BED

John Sullivan was charged with being found in the “Prince Imperial Hotel,” in Strond Street with the purpose of committing a felony. He was charged with stealing six Belgian coins and a flask of whisky.

Joseph Wood, landlord of the “Prince Imperial,” Strond Street, said that on Friday afternoon he saw the six Belgian coins produced and the metal flask full of Scotch whisky in the drawer of the dressing table of his bedroom. On Saturday evening about nine o'clock the barmaid said a man had gone upstairs. Witness went upstairs on to the first floor, but did not see anyone. He, however, heard someone on the floor above, and then sent for the Police. Meanwhile, with a customer, he went up to the 2nd floor. Before discovering anything the Policeman joined them. They looked through two rooms, and then went up on to the top story and into the barmaid's bedroom. Under the bed they found the prisoner. The door was open, but there was no light. The Constable asked him to come out, and he did so. The Constable asked him what he was there for. He said, “To rob of course, what do you think? It is no use making a fuss about it, there are too many. I will go quietly.” He said to witness, “Did you see me come upstairs?” Witness said, “You were both seen and heard.” On coming down he asked for a drink. Afterwards at the Police Station witness identified the coins and the flask, which were found on the prisoner when he was searched. Afterwards he found that the prisoner had broken open a drawer in the bedroom.

Police Constable Husk said that on Saturday evening about 4.45 he was called to the “Prince Imperial Hotel.” They found the prisoner as already detailed.

The prisoner was sent to Canterbury for 6 weeks' hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 1 January, 1904. Price 1d.

EXTENSION

An extension of time was granted to Mr. Gartner, of the “Prince Imperial Hotel,” Strond Street, on the occasion of a supper to the Hotel Chefs of Folkestone and Dover on 31st December. The supper will not take place till eleven o'clock, and the extension was to 1.30.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 October, 1904. Price 1d.

LICENCE TRANSFER

The licence of the "Prince Imperial Hotel" was temporarily transferred from Mr. Gartner to H. Wormleighton, on the application of Mr. Mowll. The applicant had kept an hotel at Ostend, and a certificate from the Belgian Police was handed in.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 25 March 1910.

A RETIRED LICENSED VICTUALLER'S FAILURE. ASSETS NIL

The statement of affairs in the failure of Robert Arthur Egan, of the "Prince Imperial Hotel," Strond Street, Dover, retired licensed victualler, shows liberties of £459 3. 5d., and assets nil. The cause of failure as stated by the debtor is: "Losses through bad trade whilst carrying on business as a licensed victualler at Aston."

The Official Receiver's observations are as follows: The receiving order was made on the petition of the debtor, who was adjudged bankrupt the same day on his own application. The debtor (aged 38 years) states he commenced business between eight and nine years ago as a licensed victualler, when he purchased the leasehold premises, known as the "Prince of Wales Hotel," Church Road, Aston, Middlesex, for a sum of £11,000 subject to a then existing mortgage of £10,000. The mortgage was apparently content with his security, and the debtor merely paid over £1000 to the vendor, £600 of which was his own money, £400 having been lent him by a firm of distillers, without security, at interest of 5 per cent. The purchase price included 35 years unexpired term of the lease, furniture, stock in trade etc. The debtor alleges that the business was successful for some years; that he regularly paid the interest on the mortgage, in addition to discharging the load of £400 before referred to, and his trade accounts as they became due. He states, however, that during the last two or three years he was at those premises his takings considerably decreased owing to the closing up of a passage adjoining his premises, and to new roads being made, in consequence of which his usual customers went to other houses. Furthermore, he alleges, he lost several customers owing to the fact that a number of hand laundries in that district were converted into steam laundries and low labour employed. As a result he became in arrear in the payment of his accounts, and states that the mortgages subsequently foreboded and took possession of his premises. The valuation of his stock and furniture amounted to about £135, which, after payment, of preferential claims, left him a balance of only £10, although he admits he had other trade liabilities amounting to upwards of £400. Apparently he left Acton about a year ago, since which time he contends he has merely acted as an assistant at an hotel in Dover. The debtor did not keep an accurate record of his receipts and payments, but admits he discovered his insolvency about two years prior to discontinuing his business. All the liabilities scheduled in the statement of affairs are alleged to be debts incurred whilst the debtor carried on business at the "Prince of Wales Hotel," Acton.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 13 January 1939.

Mr A. K. Mowll applied for approval to plans showing proposed alterations to the sanitary arrangements  at the "Prince Imperial". Mr. Mowll said that the alteration was made at the suggestion of the Chief Constable, and would be a great improvement.

The plans were approved.