ROYAL HOTEL Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, March, 2021.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 31 March, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1844

Royal (Pier) Hotel

Latest 1916

Clarence Place (King's Head Street and Crane Street)

Dover

Above shows the Royal Hotel with the "Dover Castle Hotel" just showing on the top left. To the left of the picture is shown the "Lord Warden Hotel." Photo kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

This free house occupied the corner position with King's Passage. Fully licensed and supplied by Flynn and Company of Herne Bay towards the end but earlier by the Burton Beer Company of Herne Bay.

It possessed its own livery and stables and was already well established in 1844. It should not be confused with the "Pier Inn". The Dover Telegraph in 1846 and 1847 contained adverts for brandy, placed by Mr. Goodwin the licensee at that time.

Often referred to as the "Royal (Pier) Hotel" but more often still, the prefix 'Royal' missing. With the "Pier Inn" close by that made research difficult. I stand to be corrected but suggest it was on site in 1844. The following article shows what seems to be the official opening dinner in February 1845.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 8 February, 1845. Price 5d.

DINNER AT THE PIER HOTEL

The opening dinner at Goodwin's "Pier Hotel" took place on Wednesday evening. At 7 o'clock about 60 gentlemen sat down to a splendid repast, that did great credit to the taste and cuisine of the worthy host. The wines were of the finest quality, and it was a question whether to bestow on them or the viands the greatest need of praise. The chair was ably filled by Mr. Thomas Rigden, who was well supported by Messrs. Ammon and Harrison, the vice-president. After the removal of the cloth, the chairman, after the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, proposed the health of Mr. Goodwin, wishing him every success in his new undertaking, which was most enthusiastically drank, with musical honours. "Mine Host," in returning thanks, regretted he had not the eloquence of his friend Hipgrave, nor like him could boast of a visit to the Celestial Empire. His connexion was more with the ports of Cadiz and Oporto, and the fertile plains of Champagne; his importance from which he hoped had given satisfaction. many excellent songs were sung, and the greatest conviviality and hilarity reigned till a late hour, when the company departed highly gratified with the evening's entertainment

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 30 May, 1846. Price 5d.

MR. WYNDHAM AT DOVER

We have little doubt that this worthy, whose doings at Windsor, Bath, Gloucester, &c. appear in our columns this day, is the same party who practised similar fraud at Dover. A person answering his description left a cheque on a Gloucester Bank, for a large amount, at the National Provincial Bank, for which he requested a receipt and a cheque book, but which he was politely informed could not be given until the cheque was presented. At the London and County he was more successful as on presenting a draft on Messrs. Heywood, of Liverpool, he succeeded in obtaining from Mr. Greer, a junior clerk. the sum of £12 10s., with which he returned to his quarters at Goodwin's "Pier Hotel," paid his bill in cash, and left immediately by railway. It is needless to add both the cheques were dishonoured, and the consequence of this incautious act on the part of Mr. Greer has been an order from the directors for his instant dismissal.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 28 August, 1847. Price 5d.

TO HOTEL AND TAVERN KEEPERS, DOVER, KENT

To be sold or let, at this fashionable watering place, a substantial well-built FAMILY HOTEL, situate near the Railway Terminus, commanding extensive Sea Views back and front, and now doing a good business, capable of great extensions. Immediate possession can be had, and the Furniture may be taken on moderate terms.

For particulars apply (if by letter pre-paid) to Mr. ROBINSON, Auctioneer, 18, Bench Street, Dovor; or to Mr. JAMES GOODWIN, Pier Hotel, Dovor.

Kentish Gazette, 23 November 1847.

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, PIER HOTEL, DOVER.

Twenty Feather Beds, Twenty Bedsteads, Mattresses, Paillasses, Plate, Linen, China, Class, &c.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, By Mr. THOMAS ROBINSON, ON TUESDAY, the 30th of November, and WEDNESDAY, the 1st day December next, on the premises of Mr. James Goodwin, "Pier Hotel," DOVER:—

All the valuable HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Plate, Plated Goods, Linen, Glass, China and Earthenware, &c., &c.

May be viewed on Monday previous to the sale, the whole of which will be particularised in Catalogues, to be had of the Auctioneer, 18, Bench-street, Dover.

It was fully licensed and latterly belonged to Russell's Gravesend Brewery. It offered fifteen bedrooms, was often described as a family and commercial hotel and it was used for free mason meetings before the Masonic Hall became theirs in 1886. The 1882 Post Office Directory referred to it as the "Royal Family and Commercial Hotel"

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 14 May, 1880. Price 1d.

ACCIDENT

On Thursday morning, about 11 o'clock, a Swiss in the employ of Mr. Oldfield, of the “Royal Hotel,” named Fritz Seagermass, fell a distance of 15 feet, while in the act of cleaning the windows, receiving a severe scalp wound. Mr. Powell and another porter of the “Lord Warden Hotel”, who were passing at the time, rendered their assistance until the arrival of Dr. Marshall, and a stretcher having been sent from the Dover Sailor's Home by the Rev. B. Pearce, he was conveyed to the Dover Hospital, where he now lies in a dangerous condition.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 21 May, 1880. Price 1d.

FATALITY AT THE PIER

An inquest was held on the body of Christian Frederick Segessemann, porter, who came by his death through falling out of a window. The Jury sat at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, before the Borough Coroner (W. H. Payne, Esq.) Mr. John Roe Adams was chosen foreman, and the following evidence taken:-

William Oldfield, landlord of the “Royal Hotel,” said the deceased, Christian Frederick Segessemann, had been with his as porter about 14 days. He was engaged from the German Waiter Society, Clipstone Street, London, with first-class characters. His age was 36 years, and a native of Bern, Switzerland. On Thursday the porter was ordered to clean the windows of the house. About a quarter-past eleven the deceased was brought into the front door insensible, having been picked up on the pavement outside. Witness immediately went for a doctor, and Mr. Marshall, who was near the house, came in at once. The doctor inspected him and directed him to be taken to the Hospital on a stretcher, which was sent for. Witness followed and went to the Hospital several times to see the deceased who was each time unconscious.

Sophie Oldfield, wife of the previous witness, gave similar evidence, and said it was the deceased's duty to clean the windows that day, and she saw him about three minutes before he was brought in the front door. He was quite sober.

Thomas Rickards, porter at the “Lord Warden Hotel,” said last Thursday between ten and a quarter-past eleven he was passing the “Royal Hotel” with a friend, when the deceased fell down on the pavement close to his feet. It was so sudden that witness didn't even notice from which window he fell. They picked him up and carried him into the “Royal Hotel” insensible. He left the deceased there in charge of Mr. Oldfield, to go on with his duties. The deceased fell on his left side.
John Marshall, physician and surgeon, residing at 13, Liverpool Street, Dover, said on Thursday morning last about 20 minutes past eleven he was in the lower end of Strond Street when he was informed that a man had fallen from a window at the “Royal Hotel.” Witness went there immediately and found the deceased lying on his back within the entrance of the hotel, and upon examining him he found that he was quite unconscious, and at once advised his removal to the Dover Hospital. Some one offered to obtain a stretcher from the Sailors' Home and arrived shortly with it. Witness had the deceased very carefully placed on it, and covered with a blanket and conveyed to the Hospital by four men who volunteered their assistance. Witness followed and arrived shortly after the deceased's admission, and found he was still unconscious . The doctor gave instructions as to his treatment and had him put to bed, and then left him under the care of Mr. Wood, the House Surgeon. Witness visited the deceased frequently since, but there was no improvement in his symptoms till the time of his death, which occurred on Wednesday morning about half-past one. The deceased was never conscious from the time of the accident until he died. His right hand was slightly injured and his head was much swollen. Wednesday afternoon a post-mortem examination was made in the presence of witness by Mr. Wood, and it was found that the skull was fractured, but that the bone was not driven in or depressed, and they also found a large quantity of blood between the skull and scalp, also a large clot of blood within the skull pressing upon the brain. The result of the examination proved that his death was the natural consequence of the injuries caused by the fall.
Mr. Oldfield, recalled by the Jury, said it was on the first floor, and no windows were cleaned; it was supposed he fell in getting out. There was a flower ledge, in width about 20 inches, and a fence one foot high just outside the window.
The jury returned a verdict that the deceased came by his death by accidentally falling from a window at the “Royal Hotel.”

From the Whitstable Times, 4 January, 1902.

AN HOTEL TRAGEDY.

A Coroner's inquest was on Tuesday held at Dover on the body of a young Frenchman, who shot himself at the “Royal Hotel” on Friday last. The body was identified as that of Edouard Lauzy, motor-car driver, who had been in the employ of Count Stroganoff, at Paris. Deceased was 27 years of age, and Mr. Henri Toussaint produced a letter sent by deceased to his mother on December 26, in which he enclosed 1,200 francs, which he asked her to keep for him, and added:— “If I do not write to you within a short time you can go to Count Stroganoff and claim 1,500 francs, which he owes me for two months’ expenses and wages.” The mother, on receipt of the letter, thought there was something wrong, and went to the Paris police, Touseaint accompanying her. Being shown the report of the occurrence at Dover, Toussaint came over here, and at once identified his friend. The witness said he could give no reason for the act of the deceased. The evidence of various other witnesses showed that Lauzy had placed a chair in front of the looking-glass, on which was a lady's photograph, and had then sat down and shot himself through the right temple. Dr. Ormsby stated that death had been instantaneous the Coroner said there had been no evidence of what caused the man to take his life, but he had no doubt there was some reason—a love affair, or something of that sort—for when deceased had fired he was facing a glass on which he had placed a photograph of a very nice-looking lady. The Jury returned a verdict of Suicide while Temporarily Insane.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 September, 1904. Price 1d.

LICENCE TRANSFER

The licence of the "Royal Hotel" was transferred from Mr. J. A. Hibbert to Mr. W. Scott. The two parties were partners, but Mr. Hibbert is now retiring from business owing to ill-health, and the licence is transferred from his name to that of the remaining tenant.

Well, trade must have been good or competition fierce in the last century, because for years, three hotels and two inns stood as neighbours in this short street. This particular business survived to 1916 when it was closed under the Licensing (Consolidation) Act of 1910. Agreed compensation was £490.10s.

It was subsequently used as flats up to September 1950 when it was taken down.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 25 August, 1950.

REMOVING UNSAFE BUILDINGS

Work has been proceeding this week on the demolition of unsafe war-damaged properties in the Pier district. The photograph shows demolition in progress at the Royal Hotel flats in Clarence Place, and the left, and the first premises in Council House Street.

Another "Royal Hotel" had its place in Snargate Street but seemed to end with the death of the Proprietor, Marieé, about 1863. It then continued as a coach office.

LICENSEE LIST

GOODWIN James 1844-53 (Pier Inn)