SADDLER Pubs of Minster

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Thursday, 08 April, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1964

(Name from)

Saddler

Closed 2020

7-9 Monkton Road

Minster

01843 821331

http://www.saddlerminster.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/saddler

Above photo, 1989, kindly sent by Michael Mirams.

Above photos and sign left by Paul Skelton, 4 July 2012.

Sign right September 1976.

Sign left August 1990, sign right July 1993 with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Above sign, 2019.

Above photograph, March 2019, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

The "Saddler" was once the "Freehold Inn," from the land on which it stands, where property building first began in 1853.

In the 1871 census the premises only held a beer license, Algernon Golder was listed as a grocer and publican, which would have been number 7 Monkton Road, the saddlers, at 9 Monkton Road, was John Curling. In 1881, Algenon Golder was living in the high street, and listed as a plumber and grocer.

In 1877 the Ramsgate Brewery purchased the pub from James Miles, a cattle salesman, and there was a saddler's shop next door at that time.

In 1964 the pub's name was changed, and appropriately the old saddler's premises have now become an extension to the saloon bar, this knock-through happened in about 1981-82.

This pub is supplied and owned by Shepherd Neame today (2020).

Above photo showing 1970s licensees Dennis & Olive Robinson, taken in the public bar, kindly sent by Disa Archer.

Latest post found on their Facebook page 2019 says the following:- "It is with a sad heart that we have decided to leave The Saddler. There have been many rumours and much speculation before we made up our minds for good but unfortunately we feel that it is time to say goodbye to Minster. We have met some truly amazing friends and customers since we stormed into the village 19 months ago but we feel we have achieved what we wanted and that is to make The Saddler a safe and friendly place to be. (Not 1 police car since we've been here!) We've had a lot of highs since we've been here which far outweigh the lows and we are forever grateful to all our amazing customers that have supported us through it all. You will forever have a special place in our hearts. We don't have a date that we will be closing yet but we hope to hand over to the new tenants without too much disruption to drinking time! (Watch this space for updates) Thank you again to the wonderful people of Minster (and Monkton!) Much love, Dee and Steve"

15 November 2019 was their last night open. The pub closed for a couple of weeks and reopened again in December 2019, just in time to get a few months in before Covid hit us all.

Latest rumour is though that the owners Shepherd Neame are thinking of selling up to a concern who wish to change it into a Turkish restaurant. Local knowledge required please.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com 2 September, 2020. By Kathy Bailes.

The Saddler pub in Minster earmarked to be turned into Turkish restaurant.

The Saddler in Minster.

A Minster pub that has been the watering hole for residents since 1865 is likely to become a restaurant.

The Saddler, in Monkton Road, currently has four staff who are believed to now be in redundancy consultation.

The village pub was built around 1865. It was originally a small cottage known as a “beer workshop” called "The Freehold." In 1876, Ramsgate brewery Tomson & Wootton bought "The Freehold" and it became a fully licensed house.

The company later purchased the neighbouring cottage, where W J Smith ran his saddlery business, but the pub has only been known as The Saddler since 1964.

In keeping with tradition, a saddle, which once belonged to the elite German Ulan Cavalry Corps, has pride of place on the wall.

The pub is owned by Faversham-based brewery Shepherd and Neame. The company has confirmed the pub’s future is being discussed.

A Shepherd Neame spokesperson said: “We can confirm that following the pub being available to let as a traditional tenancy we are now in discussions regarding the site’s continued use and its proposed transfer to a restaurant with an applicant.

“We can confirm that the proper consultation process is being undertaken.”

Former landlady Dee Horton, who was a supporter of the Louie’s Helping Hands charity, left the site at the end of last year.

It is understood the restaurant will be for Turkish food.

Now (April 2021) operating as a Turkish Restaurant called "The Minster Meze & Grill." https://the-minster-meze-grill.business.site/