PROVIDENCE Pubs of Sandgate

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Sandgate, December, 2024.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 04 December, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1843-

Providence

Open 2024+

47-49 Sandgate High Street

Sandgate

01303 249962

https://whatpub.com/providence-inne

Above picture date unknown.

Above advert circa 1910.

Above photo, circa 1920.

Above photo, circa 1950.

Above photo, date unknown, showing the back of the "Providence."

Above photo, 1970s.

Above photo, 1980s showing the former Sea Breeze Cafe on the left.

Above photo, 1980s.

Above photo 2015.

Providence sign October 1992.

Above signs November 1994 with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Above sign 2015, by Paul Skelton.

From the http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk 6 June, 2013

Parking blamed for Sandgate pub shutting

THE recession, parking problems and increasing rent have forced a pub landlord to call time on his home of 60 years.

John Latchford says he has no choice but to leave the "Providence Inn" in Sandgate, where he has lived since he was six months old and his father took it over.

Regulars have been crying at the bar, according to Mr Latchford, who is to leave at the end of August.

He said: "I've been here 60 years and I'm leaving because I can't afford to keep the pub open."

From the Kentish Chronicle, 25 June, 1864.

STEALING A PETTICOAT.

At the Magistrates’ Clerk's Office, Hythe, on Friday last, Ann Potter, a domestic servant, was charged with stealing a petticoat, of the value of 10s. the property of William Charlton, of Sandgate, labourer.

Mrs. Charlton stated that about half-past eight o’clock on the morning of Tuesday last she put out on the beach to dry a quantity of newly washed clothes, amongst which were two petticoats. She took them in again about half-past 11 o’clock, but did not miss anything then. On folding them, however, a short time afterwards, she missed a white cotton petticoat, which was now produced and identified by her.

Inspector Smith, K.C.C. went on the 10th inst. to the “Providence” beer-house at Sandgate, where the prisoner was living, and asked her if she had got a petticoat that didn't belong to her. She replied “No, she hadn't.” The Inspector then searched the prisoner’s boxes and also a cupboard in her room, and while doing boxes and also a cupboard in her room, and while doing so he saw the prisoner busily engaged in trying to conceal the petticoat by wrapping other things round it, which she put behind a box in the cupboard. He then took her into custody.

The prisoner made no defence, and was commuted to St. Augustine's gaol for trial.

From the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 16 July, 1898.

LICENSING.

Mr. Mowll appeared and put before the Bench plans of proposed alterations to the "Providence Inn," Sandgate.

It was proposed that the front should he brought forward to the line of the adjoining premises. Also that a doorway should be made facilitating the entry to a convenience.

Mr. Brockman appeared for the Sandgate District Council in the matter.

Mr. Mowll said that there was no intention or desire to alter the premises from what they had been in the past, he would not lay the tenant under an undertaking that nobody should come into the premises that way.

The Bench approved of the plans of alterations with the exception of the door.

From the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 29 June, 1912.

THE LATE MR. C. RUSSELL.

We regret to record the death of Mr. Charles Russell, of the “Providence Inn,” Sandgate. He passed away on the 22nd ult., at the age of seventy-four. Deceased, who was in good health up to about six weeks before his death, sustained an injury to one of his feet, and this had a fatal result. He was a familiar figure in Sandgate, having been born there before the Crimean War. He was landlord of the “Providence Inn” for 14 years, and previous to that held licenses of the “Ship Inn.” For many years he acted as signaller to Lloyd’s Shipping Agency, and in that capacity sent and received messages from vessels going to and coming from all parts of the world. He was the personification of geniality, possessed a warm heart, and had a kindly word for everyone. He leaves behind a widow and six sons. Four of these are serving in the Army, one in the Royal Navy, and the other is on naval transport service. It was a great joy to deceased that his “boys” were able to serve their King and Country, and it was a source of satisfaction to the widow that five of them followed their father to his last resting place. The sixth, the eldest, who was in France, arrived home a day or two later.

The funeral took place at St. Martin’s Churchyard, Cheriton, the Vicar of Sandgate (the Rev. G. S. Long) officiating. The mourners were the widow, Edwin, Henry, Augustus and Ernest (sons). Mrs. J. H. Russell (sister-in-law), Mrs. Edwin Russell (daughter-in-law) etc. etc……..

From the online Folkestone Herald, 12 September, 2013. By Dean Kilpatrick

Billy Nutt once on bill with Shirley Bassey

A SINGER who once supported legendary diva Shirley Bassey on tour has taken over The "Providence Inn" in Sandgate from a licensee who spent 60 years at the pub.

Billy Nutt, who includes comedians Joe Pasquale and Bradley Walsh as showbiz friends, says he hopes to make the venue a hub of local music, after former owner John Latchford announced his retirement.

And the 45-year-old wants to keep the traditional aspects of the pub and has promised to tell his punters a story or two about his celebrity pals.

The 45-year-old said: “I have had 30 years in the music industry and I got to an age where I had supported Shirley Bassey and had released five albums. I also had my music played on all the local BBC radio stations.

“I did all the cruises and have spent a lot of time abroad and I have always wanted a pub and I wanted to do it when I was young enough to retire.”

Mr Nutt took over the boozer last week after John Latchford announced he was to leave the "Providence Inn" because he could no longer to afford to keep the pub open.

And now the father of one is hoping to make use of his contacts to bring entertainment evenings to the area, and already plans to bring actor Derek Martin, who plays Charlie Slater in East-enders, to Shepway.

He added: “There are people out there of a certain age who grew up with music from the 40s, 50s and 60s, who like this stuff and it is hard to find anywhere who does good entertainment.

"I have got a few stories to tell. I worked with Tommy Cooper when he was alive and he was a lovely man. These are the people I have known and worked with all my life.”

The grandfather of one, who previously ran a pub in Canterbury, says he knows the area well from his childhood and was “stunned” by the Sandgate coastline.

He said: “I used to go to Folkestone quite a lot with my mum and dad but I never really came to Sandgate but when I came to view the pub, I thought what a beautiful place.

Cabaret

“I am looking forward to the cabaret nights and continuing to build on the repertoire that John and his wife Claire have built.”

Local trader Jonathan Greenwall said: "It's vital for Sandgate to have its own local.

“I have been going in there since I was a youngster and Billy has got a big act to fill. There are a lot of people in Sandgate who want him to succeed.”

From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk 20 March 2015, by Keith Hunt.

Folkestone landlord and singer Billy Nutt - who once supported Shirley Bassey - jailed for sex offences.

A singer and pub landlord has been jailed for four years for indecency with a four-year-old boy.

Billy Nutt, who once supported Shirley Bassey on tour, stood shame-faced in the dock as a judge told him the offence had been an aberration and “utter madness”.

The gay 55-year-old, who runs the "Providence Inn" at Sandgate, Folkestone and previously ran the "Dog and Bear" pub in Canterbury, denied sexual assault, but was convicted by a jury.

Singer Billy Nutt previously ran the "Dog and Bear" pub at Rough Common.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Nutt, of Black Eagle Drive, Northfleet, was arrested after the boy told his mother what had happened.

“My reaction to police being at my door was total surprise,” he said. “I felt shocked, stunned, disbelief” - Billy Nutt.

Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly said when police went to his flat last year “in plain sight” next to his bed was a gay pornographic magazine open on a page showing oral sex between two men.

Miss Farrelly said a forensic scientist examined the boy's underpants he had been wearing at the time and saliva found on the front matched Nutt's DNA profile.

Miss Farrelly said when the boy told his mother what had happened in the early part of last year he made a licking motion with his tongue.

The judge described Nutt's offences as "an aberration."

“She was stunned by what she heard,” she said. “She was shocked and upset.”

The boy repeated the allegation when interviewed by a police officer. “He told me not to tell anybody,” he said. “He said it was a secret.”

Nutt, who grew up in the Temple Hill area of Dartford, said he played in bands and went on to have a solo career, working in clubs and on cruise ships.

“I performed all over the world,” he said. “I decided to slow down. I'd had enough of driving 2,000 miles a week and rushing to get a boat or plane.

"It is not as glamorous as it sounds.”

Nutt said he decided to have “a more normal life” running pubs. He declared that he was “openly gay”.

He claimed he only tickled the boy and blew raspberries on his stomach. “I noticed he had a lot of saliva on his belly,” he said. “I wiped his belly.”

He said he believed the saliva would have been transferred from his hand onto the boy's pants.

“My reaction to police being at my door was total surprise,” he said. “I felt shocked, stunned, disbelief.”

He added that he did not know how the gay magazine came to be open on the floor of his bedroom.

Nutt denied having a sexual interest in children and assaulting the boy.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC made a restraining order banning Nutt from contact with the boy or his mother.

His name will appear on the sex offenders' register and he will be barred from working with children.

A sexual harm prevention order banning unsupervised contact with children was made to protect the public.

Fremlins took over in 1949 and extended itself into the next door Sea Breeze cafe on its left in the 1970s.

The building gained a Grade 2 listing on 11 March 1975.

The pub closed for a time in March 2015 when former licensee was jailed, but reopened again on 21st May 2015.

Just heard 26 August 2024 that the pub has closed again. Information given is that the licensee was just fed up, as the parking in the area is not good. However, opened again on the 4th of December 2024.

LICENSEE LIST

ELGAR Ann Elizabeth 1858-61+ (age 31 in 1861)