Folkestone Herald 4 August 1994.

Local News.

A pub landlord has lost his fight for longer opening hours after Magistrates decided Folkestone fishmarket is not a working market any more.

Phil Godden, landlord of Jetty's, asked Folkestone Magistrates to extend his Sunday hours. He claimed “According to the law a licensed premises in the immediate neighbourhood of a public market area can have an exemption order to sell alcohol while the market is working”.

But Chairman Jeanette Apps refused the application because the Magistrates considered that a market itself no longer operates.

Mr. Godden said “Sundays are no different for the fishermen; they bring their fish in seven days a week. We get traders and people coming to buy fish down there on a Sunday and there is a facility for the fishermen to auction fish. They come in when the finish work, but if they want a drink they have to go to La Parisienne or Bonkers, who won't let them in because of their wellies. We serve snacks all day Sunday and get fishermen and other people all wanting drinks. Foreigners don't understand that we are open but can't sell alcohol”.

Licensing Officer, Insp. Chris Keely, opposed the application, arguing the working fish stalls were in The Stade, not the fish market, and the auction facility was rarely used.

Mr. Godden referred to a Royal Decree of 1545 concerning the fishmarket, which stated the market would “stand and abide by law and continually lie”. He understood this to mean the site would always be a market area.

Afterwards Mr. Godden described the decision as a shame. “The market has been established since the reign of Henry VIII. La Parisienne and Bonkers have got all day licences, but their market area was only formed in 1984. By saying it is no longer a market they have over-ruled Henry VIII. It's back to the drawing board for me, and I may appeal”.