|
Stembrook and Church Street
Dover
https://whatpub.com/roman-quay
 Above photo taken 12 August 2009 by Paul Skelton.
|
Above photo taken 12 August 2009 by Paul Skelton. |
 Roman Quay circa 1980 by Barry Smith. |
 Roman Quay circa 1980 by Barry Smith. |
 Roman Quay circa 1980 by Barry Smith. |
This was erected on behalf of Charrington and opened on 31 July 1957. The
licence to make that possible was transferred from the late "Granville
Hotel" by then demolished. The name is applicable to the various old port
furnishings which were discovered and which now lay beneath the foundations.
The passage below is a letter in answer to a query
regarding the history of he site as an aid in the selection of a
suitable name for this proposed building.
27th January, 1956
G. W. Howkins, Esq.,
Manager;
Walmer Brewery,
Kent.
Dear Sir,
Proposed Public House at Stembrook.
Further to your visit of today; I have pleasure in forwarding the
promised list of items of interest centred around your building site in
Church St., Dover.
The walls of Roman Dover passed directly through the site and nearby
have been found examples of Roman baths, tiles, pottery and glass, a
quay or causeway of wood, sculpture and part of an Andernach lava
millstone. This area is generally assumed to be the site of the Saxon
Shore Fortress.
On the corner of Church St and Market Square once stood the Saxon church
of St. Peter. Later the "Antwerp Inn" was built on the site. Until
approximately 1900, this was still known as "Peter's Corner". During
excavations below this corner there have been found human remains, a
Runic memorial, pewter chalices and paten and a human head enclosed in a
stone receptacle. The latter is thought to be the head of the Duke of
Suffolk who was executed for high treason aboard a ship in the Channel
in 1450.
In Church St. once stood a house belonging to one "Granny Snow". This
was a known smugglers' haunt, complete with moveable panels and floors.
This house was taken down when Castle St. was built.
It is believed by most authorities that King Stephen (d. 1154) was
buried beneath the Saxon altar steps of St. Mary's church.
Local industry in the area was represented by a tannery and a
wheelwright.
In bygone days there could be found in the Market Square the Guildhall
or Court Hall the Town Cross, pillory and stocks and the old Town Gaol,
(which was once destroyed in a riot when a band of smugglers escaped to
Folkestone.) They had been taken prisoner by Lieutenant Lilburn,
commander of the Revenue Cutter "Lively".) It is also a fact that once,
Spanish pirates captured by privateers were sold in the Market Place as
slaves, for £100 each.
Apart from the "Antwerp Inn" the following public houses have now
disappeared from Dover. The "Ancient Druids" Inn was near your present
site until the last war and nearby was the "Butchers Arms". On the other
side of the Market Square was the "Garricks Head", named after a
great-nephew of the actor who worked nearby.
I hope that some of this information will serve to help you in your
selection of a name and if I can assist you further I shall be glad to
do so.
Yours faithfully,
Borough Librarian.
As history proves, the pub was eventually called the "Roman Quay".
|
|
From the Dover Express 17 Aug 1998.
Landlord is jailed for handling stolen goods.
A FORMER Dover pub landlord has been jailed: for
handling stolen goods.
Paul Johnson, 38, now of Pavilion Road, Folkestone, was running the
Roman Quay in Church Street, when the offences took place in August last
year, Canterbury Crown Court was told on Tuesday.
Johnson who pleaded
guilty to four counts of handling was jailed for two months and told
by Judge Jonathan Langdon: "You were granted a licence by magistrates
to run a respectable public house and not to provide a service for
thieves."
Appearing with Johnson was co-defendant Kristian Edward, 20, of
Cherry Tree Avenue, Dover who admitted two counts of handling stolen
goods.
He was told by Judge Langdon "You helped assist this dishonest
publican but, bearing in mind the favourable report you have been given,
I feel I can deal with you by way of 40 hours community service and a
year's probation.
|
|
From the Dover Express, 7 September 2000.
THE landlord of the Roman Quay, Lee 'Gus' Hathaway, revitalised his
pub's entertainment by inviting popular East End duo Chas and Dave along
to entertain customers.
Gus, 26, a Dover Rugby Club player, tracked down
the musical comedy duo, who agreed to do a turn at the pub.
The watering
hole quickly filled with people of all ages and it turned out to be a
brilliant fun event. Two signed autographs of the
duo were raffled, raising £85 for the Meningitis Trust.
Since Gus took
over the pub, in Church Street, 18 months ago he has been determined to
turn around its fortunes and image. Gus began his career in Canterbury
when he was 19, working at the Seven Stars pub and the Jolly Sailor: He
aims to bring more well known entertainers to the pub over the next few
months.
|
|
From the Dover Mercury, 3 May, 2001.
Council's big sell off.
LAND and properties owned by Dover District Council, but leased to
others, are likely to be sold off if a recommendation before senior
councillors last night is accepted.
A special working group of councillors has been studying details of
council owned property and is making the recommendations to sell, as
there was "no reason for retention."
Earmarked for sale are: The Roman Quay at Stembrook, land at Astley
Avenue leased to Dover Marquee Company, properties in Sheridan Road and
231 Coombe Valley Road.
Industrial premises in Edgar Road, a factory and other premises in
Granville Street, several pieces of land at Poulton Close (in all about
2.5 acres), and land at Primrose Road, off Lewisham Road and the back of
houses in Milton Road.
But the working group suggests the council retains: Maybrook House in
York Street, the Riverside Centre in Maison Dieu Gardens, the community
centre at Roosevelt Road, the Nu-Age car park, 1-14 Upper Road at Guston,
land at Hobart Crescent, Coombe Farm, land at Abbey Road, and at the
back of Poulton Close.
Deals are being struck for the sale of the Wood Street multi-storey
car park (the Charlton Centre's car park), land off Lord Warden Square
and land at High Meadow above Tower Hamlets.
|
|
From the Dover Mercury 12 July 2007.
Half century: Manager James Morgan and landlord Lee Hathaway toast 50
years of the Roman Quay.
DOAJ280607Quay2 Picture by ANDY JONES |
|
Quay looks back over 50 years as a boozer.
A DOVER pub celebrated its half century this month with a series of
1950s themed events.
The Roman Quay, in Stembrook, opened its doors for
the first time in July 1957 and current landlord Lee Hathaway was keen
to mark the anniversary.
The pub hosted a karaoke night last Thursday
where regulars sang hits from the era, followed on Friday by singer
Karen Louise, who serenaded the crowd with popular 1950s tunes.
There
was also a fancy dress barbecue on Sunday, with pints charged at just
£1, equivalent to what punters at the time would have paid.
Mr Hathaway,
who dressed in an Elvis costume for the occasion said: "We felt it would
be appropriate to celebrate the anniversary with these events. It's a
bit of fun, but also a big milestone for us."
The pub also appeared on
a reality holiday programme on TV1 - Holiday Showdown - featuring a local
family, the Kents, who were forced to go on holiday with a cultured,
teetotal couple and their son to Egypt.
|
|
From the Dover Mercury. 10 November 2005.
PUB PROCEEDS: Regulars benefit lifeboats.
Paul Freeth and Roman Quay landlord Lee Hathaway with the Dover
Athletic Shirt.
REGULARS at the Roman Quay have reaffirmed their dedication to the RNLI
by helping raise more than £1,500 for the charity.
Every year the pub, in Church Street, supports the RNLI through taking
part in dragon boat racing at Dover Regatta. This year that brought in
£1,350 for the charity, but then landlord Lee Hathaway, decided to stage
other charity events to supplement the fundraising.
Just before the heroics in a dragon boat, Mr Hathaway displayed a
football shirt in the bar, signed by former Dover Athletic player Lee
Shearer and former Dover Athletic manager and Wales International
goalkeeper, Neville Southall.
Bids were invited for the shirt, and the winner, Ronnie Wilson, was
announced during a special casino night at the pub.
The casino night added another £250 to the total.
Mr Hathaway added: "It was a brilliant evening and everyone at the pub
works hard and supports charity every year.”
|
|
From the Dover Mercury, 23 April, 2009.
Landlord's lucky escape from fumes.
THE landlord of a Dover pub had a lucky escape on Saturday when he
was overcome by fumes in the cellar of his pub.
Fire crews from Dover and Deal were called to the Roman Quay at
Church Street, near the Market Square, just before 9am when a system
designed to pump the beer to the bar developed a fault.
Dangerous carbon dioxide fumes leaked into the cellar and when the
landlord went into the cellar he began to feel unwell and immediately
came out again.
Fire-fighters ventilated the building to ensure that the fumes had
gone, and engineers were called in to repair the fault.
A spokesman for the fire service said the landlord's quick actions in
returning to safety from the cellar saved him from serious injury. There
have been a number of incidents in which people have quickly become
unconscious when exposed to carbon dioxide in pub cellars.
|
Recent information tells me the pub is currently closed and for sale
(February 2013).
Last time I passed in October 2013 it was open again.
Went passed today, 19 March 2018 and it looked closed again.
In May 2018 the owners changed from Punch Taverns to Star (Heineken Ltd.)
and closed late 2018, so much for the takeover.
Glad to say the pub reopened again in June 2019.
Sorry to say it didn't last long, covid closed this one and latest report
I have is that the building is set to become a centre for selling "high
quality" second-hand women's clothing.
The new project, to be known as Dover Beehive, is the initiative of the
town's expanding Outreach Centre managed by Noel Beamish. Beehive will
offer, on the ground floor, retail space, a cafe, community centre and a
workshop for those learning a trade.
Beehive, a new venture, is a not-for-profit organisation and its retail
element is designed to help disadvantaged local people.
|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Lennon, 14 May 2023.
Roman Quay pub in Stembrook, Dover, could become clothes shop and cafe.
A former town centre pub could be transformed and fitted out with a
shop and new cafe.
Planning permission is being sought to change the now-closed Roman
Quay in Stembrook, Dover, into the multi-use centre, which would
also include a community workshop and workspace.
The now-closed Roman Quay in Dover could be transformed into a shop, cafe and workspace.
If given planning permission, it would be run by Beehive Dover, a
social enterprise helping disadvantaged people.
The shop would sell second-hand women’s clothes, while the café and
workspace will be designed to provide opportunities for networking
and training, from the creative arts to helping volunteers develop
skills to get paid jobs elsewhere.
No internal or external alterations are planned for the building
fabric.
The application has been made on behalf of Beehive by the
homelessness charity Dover Outreach, based at the town’s Snargate
Street.
A decision is due to be made on the application for the pub by the
end of June.
It is in the name of Outreach’s chief executive and founder Noel
Beamish.
The covering letter says: “The objective is to create a welcoming
environment where people can interact, develop skills and be
directed to other local services/relevant employment opportunities
as required.
“The proposal will enable an empty commercial premises within Dover
town centre to be brought back into use.
“The nature of the use will both encourage economic growth and
support the vitality of the town centre.”
The Roman Quay was built on behalf of the Charrington Brewery and
opened on July 31, 1957.
Its name reflects the area’s use as a port by the Romans, then
called Dubris.
In 1956, when the pub was planned and its name still being
considered, the borough librarian confirmed that the walls of Roman
Dover passed directly through the site.
Nearby remnants of a quay or causeway were found from the era plus
examples of Roman baths, tiles, pottery and glass.
The pub closed on February 24, 2020.
The Outreach letter continues: “While the disused premises was
formerly operated as a public house, it’s noted that the town centre
already has a wide range of establishments of this type.
“As such, the proposed change of use would not prejudice the range
of community facilities available within the centre. Rather, the
proposal would broaden and enhance the current community offer.
“In conclusion, it's considered that the reuse of this vacant
premises would deliver notable social and economic benefits in
support of the town centre and wider Dover community.”
The application, submitted to Dover District Council, is expected to
be decided on by the end of June.
|
|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Lennon, 16 July 2023.
Roman Quay pub in Stembrook, Dover, to be replaced by Beehive shop,
cafe and workspace.
Ambitious plans to transform an empty town centre pub into a clothes
shop and cafe have been approved.
Residents believe the overhauled Roman Quay in Dover will be a
“great addition” to the town and will be “so much more than just
another shop”.
It comes as officers at Dover District Council gave the go-ahead for
the former public house to be changed into a multi-use centre, which
will also include a community workshop and workspace.
It will be run by Beehive Dover, a charity helping disadvantaged
people.
The group’s manager, Laura Brittain, said: “We are really excited to
be moving to Dover.
“We hope the new centre will be open in the early autumn, in two to
three months.”
The shop, in Stembook, will sell second-hand women’s clothes, and
Beehive already has such a boutique in North Street, Ashford, which
opened in 2017.
Meanwhile, the café and workspace at Dover will be designed to
provide opportunities for networking and training, from the creative
arts to helping volunteers develop skills to secure paid jobs
elsewhere.
The application was made by the homelessness charity Dover Outreach,
which is working with Beehive on the project.
Dover Town Council, as a consultee, expressed support for the
application, as did 13 out of 15 members of the public who commented
on the council's planning portal.
Resident Fazlin Blakemore wrote: “The Roman Quay has been empty for
a long time, so to have an initiative like Beehive is much needed in
the area to support women.
“This will be a great addition and in keeping with the regeneration
of the high street and helping build a stronger community.”
Steph O’Connor believes the Beehive proposal is a “wonderful
community concept” that will benefit the town.
“The idea of repurposing a centrally located empty building into a
hub that provides opportunities for members of our community is a
real boon and something we should feel proud of,” she said.
Alan Found also wrote in support of the plans, saying Dover District
Council “desperately needs to find ways of serving the people living
here”.
“It will be good to see another building no longer boarded up,” he
added.
Rebecca Hart commented: “I've seen The Beehive in Ashford and the
amazing positive impact it's making on people's lives there, so I'm
positive having a Beehive in Dover will be so worthwhile and help so
many people in need.
“It will be so much more than just another shop... it will be a
much-needed community hub, and a special clothing shop for women in
need, as well as helping those in need of support and friendship in
the wider public.”
Simon Lock was against the scheme, explaining: “ Dover has lost too
many of its historic pubs in recent years.
“Meanwhile, I know of at least one bar business looking for premises
that can't find anything suitable, and I'm sure there must be
others.”
But Sarah Goldswain countered: “The Roman Quay has stood idle for
some years now. If it had been a serious contender for reopening it
would have happened by now.”
The pub was built on behalf of the Charrington Brewery and opened on
July 31, 1957.
Its name reflects the area’s use as a port by the Romans, then
called Dubris.
In 1956, when the pub was planned and its name was still being
considered, the borough librarian confirmed that the walls of Roman
Dover passed directly through the site.
Nearby remnants of a quay or causeway were found from the era plus
examples of Roman baths, tiles, pottery and glass.
The Roman Quay closed on February 24, 2020. |
LICENSEE LIST
DALE William C 1957+
HOPSON Dennis H 1964-66
JAMES Peter 1972
HALL Johnathan A 1973-74 &
STEVENS Peter J 1973-74
Charrington & Co
DAWSON D 1976
DICKSON or DIXON Ernest C 1977-78
WORKMAN S F 1978
KELLY Peter 1981
RUGG-GUN M J 1981
HIGGINS Patrick 1984 end
DEARAN Joseph 1992
JOHNSON Paul 1997-98
HATHAWAY Lee 1998-March/2007-Dec/2017
HOLINSBY Nick Jan/2018+
BIRCHENOUGH Matthew June/2019+
Library archives 1974
|
