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9 Dymchurch Road
Hythe
https://whatpub.com/dukes-head
Above photo taken 31 August 1983, kindly sent by Chris Excell. |
Above photograph and sign below right by Paul Skelton 9 June 2013.
Above showing the side view. Photo taken by Patricia Streater, 10
June 2013.
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Abobe photo 2016. |
 
Duke's Head sign left March 1991. Sign right June 2013.
Above with thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com |
Above aluminium card issued June 1951. Sign series 3 number 13. |
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Kentish Chronicles, 14 August, 1795.
Death.
Saturday died, at Hythe, Mr. Leo. Watches, master of the "Duke's
Head," public house, at that place.
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Canterbury Journal 12 January 1850.
On Tuesday last, the quarter sessions for the borough of Folkestone
were holden at the Guildball, Folkestone, before the Recorder (J. J.
Lonsdale, Esq.,) the Mayor (D. Major, Esq.,) and Messrs. C. Golder,
Wm. Major, and S. Bateman, magistrates.
James Osborne, labourer, late of Hythe, was indicted for having
stolen a piece of copper, value 9d., the property of Mr. Owen
Fickell Algar, proprietor of the "Pavilion Hotel."
Guilio Giovarni, manager of the "Pavilion Hotel," deposed that the
piece of copper was brought to him by Pearson, the policeman, and
which he recognised as being the top of a “bain marie” It had not
been used for two years; originally coat 25s.; and had been put away
in the scullery.
Matthew Pearson, policeman, on the 25th of December, went to John
Myers, the marine store dealer, at Hythe, in consequence of
information he had received; saw the piece of copper produced; asked
where it came from; was told by Myers that he had purchased it from
the ostler of the "Duke’s Head Inn," named Osborn Lee; took it away
and brought it home; next day took it to the "Pavilion Hotel," where
the servants identified it as being the property of Mr. Algar.
John Myers, marine-store dealer, deposed that Osborn Lee, ostler of
the "Duke’s Head," brought the piece of copper produced; asked him how
he came by it; said it was all right; told him all right was
sometimes all wrong; gave him 4s. for it, but told him he might have
the difference in the price, if any, at some future time; did not
know the exact value; told him, over and over again, he was afraid
it was stolen.
The Recorder cautioned this witness about his dealings, and told him
to be more cautious in future.
Osborn Lee, ostler at the "Duke’s Head," Hythe, deposed to selling the
piece of copper for Osborne, without any suspicion that it had been
stolen.
Mary Roker, still-room maid at the hotel, identified the copper as
belonging to the “bain marie” at the "Pavilion." Saw it last in the
still-room, two or three years since.
William Francis, whitesmith, identified the copper produced, it
being fitted by him in the place it occupied.
The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say, stated that about a
fortnight ago he was sent for a load of ashes. One of his master's
sweeps was down the ash-hole at the "Pavilion Hotel;" he passed the
piece of copper through the hole, and when be (prisoner) cautioned
him about it, he said all thrown in there belonged to the sweeps.
The sweep asked him to sell it for him, and he passed it to Osborn
Lee for the purpose.
The Recorder summed up, and the jury, having retired for a short
time, acquitted the prisoner. He was, however, detained in custody,
to be brought up as evidence against the sweep.
James Graham, the sweep alluded to in the previous trial, was then
indicted for having stolen the piece of copper, value 9s., and
pleaded Not Guilty.
The evidence in this case was precisely as before, with the addition
of James Osborn's statement as to the conversation between him and
the sweep, and his undertaking to sell the item in question.
Witnesses were called to speak to character.
Verdict: Guilty – one month's imprisonment.
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Kentish Gazette, 15 January 1850.
QUARTER SESSIONS.
On Tuesday last, the quarter sessions for the borough of Folkestone
were holden at the Guildhall, Folkestone, before the Recorder (J. J.
Lonsdale, Esq.,) the Mayor (D. Major, Esq.,) and Messrs. C. Golder, Wm.
Major, and S. Bateman, magistrates.
James Osborne, labourer, late of Hythe, was indicted for having
stolen a piece of copper, value 9s., the property of Mr. Owen Fickell
Algar, proprietor of the "Pavilion Hotel."
Guilio Giovarni, manager of the "Pavilion Hotel," deposed that the
piece of copper was brought to him by Pearson, the policeman, and which
he recognised as being the top of a "bain marie." It had not been used
for two years; originally coat 25s.; and had been put away in the
scullery.
Matthew Pearson, policeman, on the 25th of December, went to John
Myers, the marine store dealer, at Hythe, in consequence of information
he had received; saw the piece of copper produced; asked where it came
from; was told by Myers that he had purchased it from the ostler of the
"Duke’s Head Inn," named Osborn
Lee; took it away and brought it home; next day took it to the "Pavilion
Hotel," where the servants identified it as being the property of Mr. Algar.
John Myers, marine-store dealer, deposed that Osborn Lee, ostler of
the "Duke’s Head," brought the
piece of copper produced, asked him haw he came by it, said it was all
right, told him all right was sometimes all wrong; gave him 4s. for it,
but told him he might have the difference in the price, if any, at some
future time; did not know the exact value, told him, over and over
again, he was afraid it was stolen.
The Recorder cautioned this witness about his dealings, and told him
to be more cautious in future.
Osborn Lee, ostler at the "Duke's
Head," Hythe, deposed to selling the piece of copper for Osborne,
without any suspicion that it had been stolen.
Mary Roker, still-room maid at the hotel, identified the copper as
belonging to the "bain marie" at the "Pavilion." Saw it last in the
still-room, two or three years since.
William Francis, whitesmith, identified the copper produced, it being
fitted by him in the place it occupied.
The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say, stated that about a
fortnight ago he was sent for a load of ashes. One of his master's
sweeps was down the ash-hole at the "Pavilion Hotel"; he passed the
piece of copper through the hole, and when he (prisoner) cautioned him
about it, he said all thrown in there belonged to the sweeps. The sweep
asked him to sell it for him, and he passed it to Osborn Lee for the
purpose.
The Recorder summed up, and the jury, having retired for a short
time, acquitted the prisoner. He was, however, detained in custody, to
be brought up as evidence against the sweep.
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From
http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk 1 December 2014. By Amy Woodland.
Plans to convert pub into housing move closer.
TOWN councillors have given their support to a plan to convert the
Duke's Head pub into housing, due to tough economic times.
The owners of the Hythe pub have applied for permission to change the
use of the main Grade II-listed, early 19th century building to three
homes and for an outbuilding to become a separate dwelling.
It is the second time plans to redevelop the pub have come before the
council. In April last year the town council said they would support a
change of use if the owners could show that the business was no longer
viable.
A report by chartered building surveyors, Godden Allen Lawn, submitted
as part of the application, states: "Obviously the proximity of
Sainsbury's with supermarket prices and offers has had an adverse
affect, but even so the neighbourhood has five public houses and two
subsidised clubs in total competing for the same dwindling customer
base."
It adds that while the business keeps its "head above water" it does not
generate enough to pay for renovations that are needed and reveals that
attempts to sell the business as a going-concern have so far been
unsuccessful.
At a meeting last Tuesday, councillors on Hythe Town Council's plans and
works committee agreed to support the conversion of the Dymchurch Road
pub.
The plans submitted as part of the application also propose the
demolition of garages in the car park of the pub to make way for four
flats, but town councillors were only asked to comment on the listed
building consent on Tuesday.
Cllr David Own said: "We sent this back because we needed confirmation
that the business was not viable. I think we have that now."
He said he had "grave concerns" about putting flats on the site but
added: "On the basis of what is here I am happy to agree this proposal."
Cllr Malcolm Dearden said: "I can remember when it was a very busy pub.
"Although I regret the loss of the Duke's Head to the town, people are
not going out like they used to. Therefore I agree that this is all they
can do."
Shepway District Council will make the final decision and has a target
decision date of December 16 for both the listed building consent and
the planning application for the pub.
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From http://www.ghostpubs.com accessed 17 June 2015.
HAUNTED.
At this most ancient of ports, with close to the canal, the Dukes Head exhibits
ghostly manifestations. These include an old man called George. He has
been given that name by employees who have ‘met' him, since his history
is unknown. Locals know George manifests on regular occasions, with strolls
around in a most benign manner. Hythe is one of the Cinque Ports, with
although it is on a broad bay of the English Channel, silting removed
its harbour three centuries ago.
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From an email 17 June 2015.
There seems to be a lot of comment about
the pub being haunted – my mother, age 91 daughter of H T Membrey, says
she knows nothing about this and certainly “George” wasn't in existence
when she lived there.
Harry Thomas Membrey was married to Lottie and they ran the pub
together.
Kind regards,
Lesley Quinn.
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From an email 2 June 2016. The pub as run 1975-1990 possibly longer by
Betty & Bernard Hamilton. I stayed there many times and stories of a
ghost never surprised me.
On the day they took over the pub, the previous tenants had seemingly
just got out of bed and walked out the door, personal possessions left
in every room!
I'm not often in Kent but went to have a look the other day. Looks
like it's been closed for a while and the owners want to convert to
residential. Another pub gone!
John Beecham. |
According to John Beecham, the pub has been closed for some time. (4 June
2016)
Latest news from Sylvia Thomas tells me that the pub is likely to be
turned into housing. (January 2018).
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Molly Mileham-Chappell, 20 April 2018.
Grade II listed former pub Dukes Head in Hythe on the market for £1 million.
Mystery surrounds the future of a former boozer after it was put up for
sale with a huge price tag.
The "Dukes Head" site on Dymchurch Road in Hythe has been slapped with an
on-application guide price of £1 million.
The dilapidated pub, which dates back to the early 19th Century, was in
operation until 2016 but has been left empty since its closure.
The Dukes Head on Dymchurch Road (1506394)
The venue is deemed to be historically important and was first listed as
a Grade II property in 1950.
It's sale is being advertised as a freehold property through
London-based estate agents Alex Neil.
The property is described on the estate agent website as: "A former
Public house, set within a large plot located on the edge of a large
residential area.
"The development is of brick construction under a pitched tile roof and
is understood to be Grade II listed.
"This is a redevelopment opportunity to potentially convert the existing
buildings into a multiple mixed unit residential development.
"It could also be considered as mixed use development, all subject to
planning permission (STPP)."
It means any proposed development regarding the future of the site will
have to be in keeping with some of the building's original features,
limiting the scope for what it could be transformed into.
However, subject to planning permission, the site has potential for uses
such as apartments, or a bar or café and suitable applications could be
considered by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).
A FHDC spokesman said: "Obviously we could consider any planning
applications that are put forward by the buyer, but until then, it is
not our place to speculate."
In 2014, when the building was still a drinking establishment, an
application to turn the site into three properties, as well as convert
the barn into another, while erecting a two storey block of self
contained flats was refused.
The decision was on the grounds that it "would result in the loss of an
existing social and community facility and it has not been
satisfactorily demonstrated in the application that there is no longer a
need for the facility and that it is unsuitable for adaptation into a
viable enterprise."
At the time, one objector John Carpenter commented: "This pub is an
asset of community value. Pubs are under threat throughout the UK and
local authorities have a duty to protect what is a vital part of our
cultural heritage."
In February last year, FHDC, then known as Shepway, granted permission
for the development on the land for a roof extension and other external
alterations to convert the outbuilding for residential use.
Listed building consent was also given for the alterations o the basis
that work would begin within three years, but the property is now on
sale.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Oliver Leonard, 21 December 2022.
The Duke's Head in Hythe set to be turned into flats and restaurant or
cafe after being left empty since 2016.
A historic pub that has been empty for six years is set to be turned
into flats and a restaurant or cafe.
The Duke's Head, in Dymchurch Road, Hythe, was finally sold this week to
investors who have ambitious plans for the site.
The ground floor of the Grade II-listed pub, which dates back to 1795,
must be used for commercial purposes.
The new owners - property developers Link ID - are understood to be keen
to turn the downstairs into a restaurant.
Meanwhile, the first floor will be converted into three flats, while two
new houses will be built overlooking Hythe Green.
There are also plans to demolish the existing garage block at the site
in order to provide parking for the new residents.
Planning permission has already been given for the changes to be made.
A CGI submitted with planning application showing the building
overlooking Hythe Green.
A CGI submitted with the planning application.
A rare look inside the bar at The Duke's Head.
The pub was originally put up for sale for £1 million in 2018, but due
to a lack of interest the price dropped to £825,000.
After years of failed attempts to find a buyer, on Tuesday it was
snapped up by Link ID.
Michelle Ferbrache, The Good Estate Agent franchise owner for Hythe, was
delighted to get the deal over the line, having only taken on the site
in May.
"I feel completely chuffed that as a local estate agent I have been able
to secure the sale after so many years," she told KentOnline.
"We have been lucky to work with a great investor development company
Link ID.
A CGI submitted with the planning application.
"I feel really pleased for the Hythe residents that this is finally
done. It gives me great pleasure to be able to do this for the seller,
the buyer, and the locals."
The pub occupies a prominent site near the canal and residents have
become frustrated at the sight of it being left unused for so long.
"I think Hythe residents will be really happy," Miss Ferbrache said.
"I’m hoping for an Italian restaurant!
"From the conversations I have had with the new owners, I do think they
are swaying towards the idea of a restaurant. I think it would do the
town a lot of good."
Link ID announced the sale on their Facebook page last night and have
already started receiving positive feedback.
One user commented: "Lovely! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!"
Another said: "Absolutely great news, congratulations. Excited to see it
unfold and brought back to life!!"
Co-owners of Link ID, Craig Shields and Suzanne Elsey, are both keen to
begin work.
Mrs Elsey commented on Facebook saying: "We are so excited. We can't
wait to get started." |
LICENSEE LIST
WATCHES Leo 1795+
KING Thomas 1828+
WARRINGTON John 1832-39+
 
CLARK William 1841-55+ (age 42 in 1851 )
 (55
Publicans directory)
FOSTER James 1858+
KEMP Thomas 1862+
(fly proprietor)
BAKER Richard 1881-82+ (age 41 in 1881)
BAKER Mrs Sarah Ann 1891-99+ (widow age 50 in 1891)
BAKER Albert Edward 1903+
DRAY Pearson Henry 1905+ (London Gazette)
JOLLY Henry 1911+ (age 41 in 1911)
TUTT George 1913+
TAYLOR George 1922+
CLEMENTS Mrs Emily Sophia 1930+
SWIFT John 1934+
MEMBREY Harry Thomas 1938-39+ (age 46 in 1939)
HAMILTON Bernard & Betty 1975-90
https://pubwiki.co.uk/DukesHead.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Pigot's Directory 1839
From Bagshaw Directory 1847
Census
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1862
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Kelly's Directory 1899
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From the Post Office Directory 1930
From the Post Office Directory 1938
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