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Sort file:- Maidstone, January, 2026.

Page Updated Maidstone:- Saturday, 31 January, 2026.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1882-

Fox Tavern

Closed 2018

85 (29) Hartnup Street

Maidstone

01622 729530 / 07709 950528

https://whatpub.com/fox

Fox 1880s

Above photo, circa 1880s. Advertising Holms and Style Brewers.

Fox

Above photo, date unknown.

Fox

Above photo, date unknown.

Fox 2005

Photo taken in August 2005 from http://www.flickr.com by John Law.

Fox 2014

Above photo by Roy Moore, 18 May 2014.

Fox 2025

Above photo, 2025.

Fox sign 1995Fox sign 2014

Above sign left, May 1995.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Sign right by Roy Moore, 18 May 2014.

 

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 https://www.kentonline.co.uk By William Janes, 23 October 2018.

Car crashes into wall of The Fox pub.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kmtv/video

A popular pub has been left badly damaged after a car smashed through the wall.

Patrons at The Fox in Hartnup Street were left shocked after a blue BMW ploughed into the building at around 10.30pm on Friday.

One woman, who was sitting on a bench on the other side of the wall, was taken to hospital to be treated for whiplash but no others were harmed.

Barmaid Marianne Roberts was working behind the bar the moment the car came careering through.

"I just heard this almighty bang and it literally shook the building," she said.

"It almost felt like an earthquake. Just before the bang I saw some lights come quickly round the corner.

"I ran to the door and I could just see that he was in the car at the time and he was dazed. I don't know how the guy survived.

Fox car crash 2018

The blue BMW smashed into the corner of the pub's extension.

Fox car crash 2018

The car was holding up the building until structural supports were added.

The driver, left dazed in the vehicle, was held by pub-goers for the police to arrive.

"There were a couple of ladies sitting in the corner that got hit. It could have been a lot worse," continued the 39-year-old.

"I went back inside the pub and all I could see was a haze of dust and there was an oily smell.

"I opened some windows, I didn't know if the car was going to go bang."

Michael Hawney

Landlord Michael Hawney was in good spirits, even making jokes, as the car was finally removed.

Landlord Michael Hawney says although the pub has managed to stay open, the car had to remain in place over the weekend.

"When we had the structural engineer out he said that we would not be able to get the car removed because it was holding up the building."

Repairs are predicted to cost over £100,000.

The car was finally taken away earlier today after temporary structural supports were installed.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alan Smith, 13 August 2025.

Lease on the Fox pub in Hartnup Street in Maidstone for sale.

If you’ve ever dreamt of running your own pub, now’s your chance.

The Fox in Maidstone is being offered for sale on a leasehold basis by the freehold owner.

The stone-built, end-of-terrace pub in Hartnup Street has a single bar, seating around 30 to 40, but the potential for a large rear seating area in the garden where there is a brick-built barbecue and wooden decking.

It also comes with four-bedroom manager’s accommodation above, and there is parking for two cars.

It is available on a new free-of-tie lease.

The building is currently closed and no historic trading accounts are available.

The landlord is looking to let it on a 10 or 15-year lease at an annual rent of £30,000 plus VAT and insurance, subject to rent reviews every five years.

Fox garden 2025

The rear garden of The Fox in Maidstone.

Fox bar 2025

The single bar at The Fox in Maidstone.

Under the previous landlord, Michael Hawney, the pub hosted regular music and karaoke nights, and showed football on big screens.

It is on sale through Sidney Phillips, with full details here.

The Fox comes with a premises licence to open between noon and 11pm, Monday to Thursday; noon and midnight, Friday and Saturday, and noon and 11pm on Sunday.

 

LICENSEE LIST

WAGHORN William 1882+

GURR Henry 1882+

WHITE William Henry 1891+

TREE James 1903-30+ (age 65 in 1911Census)

TREE Gladys Mrs 1938+

RUSSELL John (Jack) & Ellen 1958-61

HAWNEY Michael 2018+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/Fox.shtml

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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LINK to http://www.kentphotoarchive.com/