DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, October, 2023.

Page Updated:- Friday, 06 October, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 2006

(Name from)

Kingfisher

Closed Nov 2010

(Name to)

92 London Road

Dover

https://whatpub.com/kingfisher

Kingfisher
Kingfisher sign

From the Dover Mercury, 22 February 2007.

Kingfisher Landlord

Fergy's local pub for local people.

A NEW landlord in Dover has made it his mission to create "a local pub for local people".

Fergy Sharp has opened the doors of The Kingfisher in London Road, and is enjoying every minute.

Mr. Sharp said: "It is going really well at the moment. Business is steadily improving.

"I would like to create a traditional atmosphere. where local people can just pop in for a few drinks and have some fun."

The Kingfisher has great plans for the future too.

He said: "We are looking to start a Pool and-darts team. We have karaoke every Thursday and we will be hosting speciality evenings."

 

 

Recently renovated in 2006 and previously called the "Cherry Tree".

August 2007 this pub was advertising as a "Gay Bar" and at one time only allowed over 21's in, this policy has now been dropped and is open to anyone.

Skittles used to be played in on the outdoor alley in the back garden, but unfortunately I believe the alley has now been removed.

 

 

From the Dover Express, 17 July, 2008

CELEBRATIONS FOR FIRST GAY PUB

DOVER'S first gay pub is preparing to celebrate a year of being open.

The "Kingfisher" in London Road was opened by 26-year-old Lee Page, and he is also happy to welcome heterosexuals through the doors. Mr Page said: “It's gone pretty well. It's a lot of fun running it. Dover really needed one.”

Pub regular John Richards, 53, who is a security officer, said: “Dover is turning more and more gay all the time.”

 

From the website www.thisiskent.co.uk. Thursday, July 23, 2009.

TRIBUTE TO FORMER DOVER LANDLORD

A HEARTBROKEN mum-of-three has paid tribute to her partner of 13 years following his death last week.

Brian D'Arcy, 30, died after collapsing in Clarendon Street on Wednesday afternoon. Despite the efforts of paramedics to revive him at the scene the former Kingfisher pub owner, who moved to Hawkinge 18 months ago, was pronounced dead on arrival at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

In the aftermath of the keen Everton fan's collapse police arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of murder but, following a post mortem, the man was released without charge.

Girlfriend Tracey Ellender is mum to the Sunday league Gate player's three children, Brooke, four, Kenze, two, and Brylee, 10.

She says she wants an end to the rumours of murder and drugs surrounding Brian's death. She told the Express: "Brian had an enlarged heart and the coroner has said it could have happened at any time, they have done tests to find out and we will have to wait about four weeks for the results.

"We want people to stop speculating, it's not fair.

"I just don't want him to be gone."

Tracey, 29, was called to Clarendon Street by Brian's younger brother Peter. She said: "I got there when the ambulance people were trying to revive him but he had stopped breathing. Before that a woman had been trying to help him. I don't know her but I want to say thank you.

"He was rushed to hospital and I went in the ambulance responder care but about five minutes after getting there they told me they could not help Brian.

"I had to tell Brylee and he understood. I've been trying to keep him busy but he has had a couple of cries.

"Brooke and Kenze know their daddy's up in Heaven and the stars and they say goodnight to him."

Brian's parents, Linda and Brian, have travelled from the family home in Liverpool to Dover. Mrs D'Arcy said: "He was well-loved. He was a gentle giant who loved his family and it's true, he did have a big heart."

The family hope Brian's body will be released today and say they are provisionally looking at holding the funeral next Thursday.

Tracey said: "We are going to ask Neville Southall, who played for Everton and lives near here, to be a carrier at the funeral.

"We are going to have karaoke as he loved it and even got an audition for X Factor. He was constantly singing.

"It was a shock to find out he had an enlarged heart. We didn't know.

"Nothing will ever be the same ever again. I can't put into words how much we will miss him."

 

From the Dover Express, 24 June 2010.

Dad-of-three killed by a heart attack after fight

Brian D'Arcy

Drugs cited in coroner's verdict

Report by Rhys Griffiths.

A FORMER Dover landlord collapsed and died just hours after he was involved in a fight, an inquest heard last week.

Father-of-three Brian D' Arcy; a well-known character in the town who previously owned the Kingfisher pub and played Sunday league football for The "Gate," died of a heart attack on July 15 last year. He was just 30 years old.

The inquest at Folkestone Coroner's Court on June 16 heard Mr D' Arcy had been in an altercation with a man in Capel-le-Ferne that afternoon before returning to Dover with his brother Peter.

As the pair travelled to Peter's home in Clarendon Street Brian collapsed and, despite the efforts of neighbours and paramedics to revive him, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Following his death police launched a murder investigation to establish whether or not Mr D'Arcy; who was originally from Liverpool, had died as a result of the earlier fight.

Detective Constable Bob Kelly; speaking as a witness at the inquest, explained the post-mortem examination revealed no indications that the incident near the "Valiant Sailor" pub had caused his death which could have contributed to his death."

The hearing was told that Mr D' Arcy had used steroids and cocaine which, combined with the effects of the earlier fight, contributed to his heart attack.

Coroner Rachel Redman returned the following narrative verdict: "Mr Brian D' Arcy was involved in a fight shortly before he collapsed while driving back to Dover in the early afternoon of July 15, 2009.

"While he did not sustain injuries which led to his death it is believed that the psychological effects of the fight and his use of codeine, steroids and cocaine would have led to acute left ventricle failure, which is the cause of his death."

 

From an Email on 17 November 2010

Kingfisher notice

Kindly sent to me by Chris Grimes. 17 November 2010.

From the Dover Mercury, 4 October, 2012. 80p

BID TO TURN PUB INTO BETTING SHOP

PLANS have been submitted to convert a former Dover pub into a betting shop.

William Hill wants to use the former "Cherry Tree" pub - which was later called The "Kingfisher" - in London Road, Dover, and has asked the district council for a premises licence under the Gambling Act.

There are already betting shops run by Corals, BetFred and Ladbrokes in the town.

 

 

Now unfortunately closed and converted into another damn betting shop. That's all that Dover needs in this recession.

 

LICENSEE LIST

SHARP Fergy 2007 Feb

PAGE Lee 2007-2008 Next pub licensee had

Closed for a while at the end of 2009 and been informed that opening again.

BEER Gary Feb/2010+

 

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

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