1 Westbury Road

Above and below, Westbury circa 1980. Photos by Barry Smith.

Westbury circa 1987 (Photo by Paul Skelton)

Quite a lot of spadework had to be done before the opening was achieved here.

Dover Brewery Company wanted a licence in 1885 for a house which they intended building in Clarendon Street. They offered to surrender the "William and Albert" but were not entertained.

George Beer and Company tried in 1892, for a house which they would have built at the top of Clarendon Street. They not only offered to surrender the "Rose" in Charlton Green, but also the ground on which it stood, the Council being anxious to widen the road at that point. A hesitant Bench thought on that occasion it would be too close to Belgrave school.

Edward Dawes next entered the scene in 1897 with plans for an 'off' licence at 1 Longfield Road. He was quite prepared to sacrifice the "Wellesley" but he was also shown the door.

1898 saw a third attempt by George Beer. His proposed site was now on the corner of Westbury and Belgrave Road and he was prepared to invest £2,000 on the new building. Agreement was reached all round and the pub opened by August 1900. The licence of the "Rose" was allowed to lapse in 1898.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 December, 1904. Price 1d. DOVER BREWSTER BUSINESS The application for the "Westbury" extension was refused.

Above photo shows who I believe may be the licensee, Leonard Wenham and his son in the back garden of the Westbury, 1948.

From the Dover Express, 19 January 1951. Westbury Darts Club third annual party, at the Westbury Hotel, on Saturday. [Kent Photo.]

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 15 February, 1963. Children of members of the Westbury Hotel Darts and Social club, on Saturday, had a party at the Priory Hall.

Passing through the years to Fremlin and still setting them up today (1991). Perhaps sharing with Whitbread. It is a time of many changes.

It has now closed and has remained boarded up and empty for a good number of years (2007).

LICENSEE LIST

SUTER(S) H 1901-Oct/04

GILLESPIE Frederick John Oct/1904-06

BRENCHLEY Henry J 1906-Aug/10

SUMMERS Frederick William Aug/1910-13 dec'd

SUMMERS F J 1911

SUMMERS Mrs June/1913

CLARETT George Celistin June/1913-24 end

PAGE Albert Victor 1924-25 end

RICHARDS Ernest William 1925-28 end

WHYMAN Victor Herbert 1928-Feb/32

TERRY Victor Charles Feb/1932-Dec/33 (Former Hotel manager of the "Cross Keys Hotel," Walsham)

HENCHINGTON Herbert James Dec/1933-Apr/36 (Of Henchington stores, Forest Row, London, grocer and wine merchant.)

SUTTON Henry William Apr/1936-Oct/1938

SWIFT Sidney Goodwin Oct/1938-45 end

WENHAM Leonard S 1945-52+ (1948 & 52 telephone directory 1206)

CARLEY Eric W G 1953

COLEBY-CLARK John H C 1955-56+

PLAYER W 1964

PLAYER George E W 1973-78 end Whitbread Fremlins

TYRELL R J 1978

THOMPSON James R 1985

THOMPSON Julien 1991+

According to the Dover Express, 1936, Henry William Sutton came from the "Wheatsheaf" Inn, Warden, Isle of Sheppy and Sidney Swift from 2, Worcester Court, Dawes Gate, Headstone Drive, Harrow, Middlesex, licensed victualler.

Frederick William Summers was formerly from the "Red Lion," St. Peter's, Broadstairs.

From the Post Office Directory 1901

From the Post Office Directory 1922

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1923

From the Post Office Directory 1930

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

From the Post Office Directory 1938

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1948-49

From the Kelly's Directory 1950

From the Kelly's Directory 1953

From the Kelly's Directory 1956

Library archives 1974

From the Dover Express