Built somewhere between 1695 and 1705, 17 High Street is probably the oldest surviving building in Brompton (though this honour might just go to the "Golden Lion," opposite, built in 1703).

Brompton Street (as the High Street was originally called) seems to have started with the "Sun in the Wood" at the north-western end in 1695.

The early history of no. 17 is unclear, but sometime between about 1770 and 1807 it became the "Bricklayers Arms" public house. The Universal Directory of 1790 does record a "William West, Victualler and Bricklayer" in Brompton, so it is not impossible he might open a pub with the name 'Bricklayers Arms'. The first licensee there is a record for is Neptune Fuller in 1807 – 1811. It closed as a pub in 1896, the licence having been recorded as surrendered on 1st May 1896.

Following the closure of the pub in 1896 it had a number of uses, but by 1922 it is occupied by George Lambert, motor car agent, the start of a long automotive connection for the building. By 1930 it was Joseph Tickle & Co, Motor Engineers who owned it until the Second World War, when it was taken over by B. A. & D. L. Missin. It remained in the Missin family until the 1970s or later. It closed as a garage in the late 1980s, becoming an alarm shop until around the turn of the Millenium.

Above invoice kindly sent by Finn.

In the early 2000s, after standing empty for a while, it became 'The Bunker', an army surplus store. The Bunker closed in about 2010 and again the premises stood empty until 2012. In February of this year the property re-opened as the Mulberry Farm Shop and the offices for Community Life magazine.

Above map of 1866 showing the "Golden Lion," "Two Sawyers" and "Bricklayer's Arms."

Today (2017) the building is situated with the "Two Sawyers" on its left, and the "Brompton Club" on its right. It is directly opposite the "Golden Lion."

Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

From the Maidstone Journal, 20 March 1787.

Friday the servant maid at the "Bricklayers Arms," public house Brompton, having some words with her sweetheart, in a fit of desperation threw herself into the well, but there being ready assistance, she was immediately got up, and had received no other hurt than her hands being torn with the rope which she had caught hold of in going down.

From the Maidstone Journal, 24 June 1788.

Thursday evening last, as a little boy belonging to Mr. West, at the "Bricklayers Arms," in Brompton, was at play with some more children in Brompton field, he unfortunately fell down a chalk cliff, and was exceedingly bruised with the fall, but we here since he is in a fair way of recovery.

Kent Gazette Reports 18 June 1805.

DIED.

Saturday se'nnight, Mrs. Fuller, wife of Mr. ----- Fuller, of the "Bricklayer’s Arms," Brompton.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 15 June 1861.

Elizabeth Thurton, charged with assaulting Mary O'Donnell, at the "Bricklayers' Arms," Brompton, was fined 10s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. costs.

The fine was paid.

LICENSEE LIST

WEST William 1788-90+

FULLER Neptune 1805-11

PALMER John 1828+