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50 51 Biggin Street
51a
Dover
Above photo kindly sent by Paul Wells, from his book, "Dover Then and
Now" by Paul Wells and Jeff Howe. Showing the hotel as being upstairs,
photo circa 1920-30. Downstairs showing Britcher's Bon Marché,
the ladies outfitters. |
Above photo, 1934. |
 Central Hotel showing the re-fronting that took place in
the mid 1980's. |
Above photo kindly supplied by Paul Wells. |
Above advert from 1970-1 kindly sent by Paul Wells. |
I'm afraid that this wasn't originally listed in Barry Smith's research as it
was more a hotel than an Inn.
The number 50 Biggin Street was also the "Three Tuns"
and later the "Evening Star." It is unknown as
yet when the premises was converted into the hotel, but it was certainly after
1896 as street widening demolished many houses in this area that year including
what was previously here, I believe it to be the former "Lord
Raglan".
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From the Dover Express, Friday, 27 November, 1896.
Marriage.
On Monday last took place the marriage of Mr. Harry J. Jacobs,
accountant,
of 30. Castle-street Dover, with Clara, fourth daughter of Mr. T.
Lefevre of the "Central Hotel" Castle-street, and the "Central
Restaurant," Biggin-street. The ceremony took place at Zion
Congregational Church Queen-street and was performed by the Rev. P. P.
Basden. The bride wore a white corded silk dress, the bodice trimmed
with strings of pearls, a wreath of orange blossoms and a tulle veil. The
bridesmaids were the Misses Polly and Nellie Lefevre, sisters of the
bride, and were dressed in pink pongee silk. The bent man was Mr. Thomas
Lefevre. The wadding breakfast took place at the new Central Restaurant,
Biggin-street, being the first time it was used after re-building for
street improvements. A very handsome wedding cake was supplied by Mr.
Chittenden, and the flowers by Messrs. G and A. Clark. After receiving
the hearty good wishes of their friends the bride and bridegroom left
for London.
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From the Dover Express, 1 September 1899.
Henry McGrath was charged with begging and violence.
Mr. R. J. Johnson, a private gentleman living at Mr. Lefevres "Central
Hotel" in Biggin Street, said that on Monday night he was coming out of
the Hotel and met the prisoner, who began begging in a blustering way.
Soon afterwards he gave witness a blow on the arm. he gave prisoner in
charge who in the constable's presence rushed at witness, hitting him so
hard as to send him against the wall and make his nose bleed.
Police Sergeant Fogg said he had seen the prisoner begging, and when
arrested he was very violent. He kicked witness and a man-of-war's man
who was passing.
Sentenced to 14 days imprisonment.
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Further information tells me that from 1912 to about 1921 the hotel was also
known as the "Central Temperance Hotel." So no beer here between those dates I'm
afraid.
The above passage from the Dover Express dated 1899 mentions that it was called
"Lefevres Central Hotel." So I am led to believe that it was probably a
temperance hotel then, and the Lefevres was probably the same who previously had
the former "Saracen's Head" before it was
demolished around 1895.
Come 2026 this had become the "Bean
and Barrel."
LICENSEE LIST
LEFEVRE Thomas 1891-1901+ (58 in 1901 )
WATTS C 1924 
DIXON C 1932-38  
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39
From the Kelly's Directory 1965
Census
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