From the East Kent Mercury, 26th April, 1979.

NEW MOVES TO RE-OPEN THE KING'S HEAD.

Deal may get a new pub in a few months time. A retired Army Officer wants to re-open the "King's Head" in Beach Street as soon as he can get a licence and acquire the property.

Major James Corke, who lives in Mount Road, Canterbury, has applied to the Licensing Magistrates for a full licence for the "King's Head." This will be heard at Dover on Wednesday, May 9.

The "King's Head" is almost 300 years old and has historical connections with Deal's seafaring history, has not been licensed for several years.

It is at present (1979) a dwelling house and available on the property market.

Charrington's the brewers, said they sold the pub as a private house in November 1975, and their spokesman added; "As far as we know, the licence has expired."

Major Corke, who is 41, says; "I want to bring back all the old glory and atmosphere of the "King's Head." It was a wonderful old pub.

He spent 20 years in the Army, serving with the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Army Education Corps.

He is married and he and his wife, Una, have two sons, ages 15 and 13.

Major Corke added: "I would make no real changes to the "King's Head." It would be as everyone remembers it - a good old-fashioned pub."

If the scheme does become a reality, Major Corke will introduce a new beer from the Canterbury Brewery.

He has had mess catering experience in the Army and has trained for public house ownership, gaining the Brewery Society Diploma.

A keen sportsman, specialising in rugby, he has represented the Army and Dorset and Wiltshire, and has been a regular player for Canterbury. He is now a Kent referee.

Deal Licensed Victuallers Association will oppose the application in court but their chairman, Mr. John Ayling, would make no comment to the East Kent Mercury.

From the East Kent Mercury, 13th August, 1981. By Tony Arnold

Victorian pub is restored.

Few public houses in England do not have a swinging inn sign. It is a distinctive tradition of the licensing trade, but Deal's latest pub does not have such a sign outside. Graham Stiles, manager of the King's Head, in Beach Street, says: "Our distinction is to be found inside."

The "King's Head" owned by Inns of Kent, proprietors of the "Zetland Arms" at Kingsdown, and was opened some 10 months ago. But it has a long history as one of Deal's most popular hostelries.

The building facing the sea is well over two centuries old and was once the haunt of smugglers. It first became an inn well over a century ago and the last licensee was the legendary Jo Kitchen. (Incorrect information. Paul Skelton)

Until last year it had a decade as a private house then Inns of Kent saw the potential and restored it as a licensed premises.

The "King's Head" is a typical  Victorian public house and has been restored with loving care to perfectly mirror that great period in the country's history.

To sit in its spacious bars is a tranquil  experience and one in which it is possible to think back to the days of sail when Deal was a thriving maritime town filled with pilots and ship masters coming ashore.

A feature of the bar is a fine collection of line drawings of various classes of sailing ships.

The "King's Head" is a pub of character. And it is beautifully cool in summer .... warm and cosy in Winter.

It is a free house and serves first-class live beer which will more than satisfy the enthusiast.

And it serves good food every day of the week, simple home-cooked food of distinction. At this time of the year there is a demand for salads and the "King's Head" prawn salad £2.30 is a great favourite.

The home-made pies - steak and kidney, chicken, fish and cottage to choose from - are excellent value at £1.30 and there is a good selection of jacket potato dishes.

For those who call for it there is an excellent house wine at £3 a bottle, and there is wine by the glass.

Wine and beer at the "King's Head" is excellent because of the fine cellar the old pub has. And Graham Stiles gives his cellar the loving care many young men offer their sports car.

He is a perfectionist and this reflects in the drinks served in the bar above.

Graham, by the way, is a sportsman of note, and he is striker for Deal Town football club.

A feature of the "King's Head" is the delightful patio at the rear, ideal when taking children for a meal.

From the Dover Mercury, 2 September, 2010

PUB CELEBRATES WITH HOG ROAST.

THIRTY years at the King's Head pub on Deal seafront will be celebrated on Sunday with live music and a hog roast.

The owner Graham Stiles is the longest serving landlord in the town and has organised the event with his wife Shirley and son James.

He said: "We would like people to come to the pub and join our celebrations. We have enjoyed many happy years at the King's Head and hope to see a big crowd between noon and 6pm."

From the Dover Mercury, 21 April, 2011.

LANDLORD IS READY TO PARTY AT THE DOUBLE

LANDLORD of the "King's Head" on Deal seafront, Graham Stiles, has cause for a double celebration tomorrow (Friday):

Apart from the small matter of the royal wedding, it is also his 60th birthday and Graham has joined forces with the "Port Arms" pub and "Dunkerley's Restaurant" to provide an afternoon of free music from 1 and 6pm outside their respective establishments in Beach Street.

Coincidence

Two bands will be playing, On The Run and the Tony Johnson Band and there will be a face painting stall to help keep the youngsters amused.

Graham, who has been the "King's Head" landlord for more than 30 years, said: "My late mum was a great royalist and it's a coincidence that my 60th birthday should be on the same day as the wedding.

"Like everybody else, I'm hoping that the sun shines so that we can help the people of Deal to celebrate the royal wedding in true party style."