DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, March, 2021.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 31 March, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1972

Lighthouse

Latest 1973

Prince of Wales' Pier

Dover

Lighthouse

Above postcard showing the "Lighthouse." Circa 1972.

Lighthouse 1964

The "Lighthouse" circa 1964.

Lighthouse

Above photo, date unknown.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 May, 1960.

Cafe at end of Prince of Wales pier, 1960

The admirable facilities for watching shipping while enjoying refreshments can be judged from this photograph of the cafe at the end of the Prince of Wales pier, which was opened on Monday.

Lighthouse 1966

Above photo, 1966.

Lighthouse 1974

Above photo 1974.

"From a Dover Harbour Board Brochure and guide of 1973.

Lighthouse Bar 1973

Above picture showing the "Lighthouse" bar in 1973.

Lighthouse Restaurant 1973

Above picture showing the "Lighthouse" restaurant in 1973.

Lighthouse staff

Staff at the cafe, in 1973.

Lighthouse inside

Above photo, date unknown.

From the Dover Mercury, Thursday, 9 December, 2010.

Figurehead Roseau

Tour operator with passion for rescuing bits of history.

 

Concerning the restoration of Dover maritime artefacts, those of us who are old enough to remember the cafe at the end of Prince of Wales Pier destroyed in the 'hurricane' of 1987 - will remember Roseau. She was the ship-figurehead that hung outside the entrance. The name came from Roseau, the capital of Dominica, West Indies, and translates from the French as reed. Sugar was the main crop of Dominica, which was a French possession for many years and 'roseau de sucre' is sugar cane.

The figurehead was believed to have come from the 371 gross tonnage, wooden barque, Roseau, built at Jersey in 1857 by FC Clarke for Scrutton and Co of London. The ship was principally engaged in trade between England and the West Indies, and was finally broken up in England in 1897.

After the loss of the cafe, it would appear that the figurehead was put in storage until Richard rescued her in 1998. By that time, she was in a very poor state and had to be treated for rot, repaired and then painted. She did adorn Cruise Terminal One (the old Marine Station) up until earlier this year, but has now returned to the quay where Richard moors Southern Queen. Rot has set into Roseau's base so she is being dried out and treated.

New Lighthouse cafe
New Lighthouse cafe

The above two photographs shows the new buildings that replaced the Lighthouse public bars after they were destroyed during the 1987 hurricane. Photograph by kind permission of the Dover Library. ILL/4450.

 

Apparently though, the "Lighthouse" was not the first licensed premises to appear on the Prince of Wales Pier, as is shown in a passage found in the Dover Express of 1904:-

 

This was delightfully situated on the end of the pier but it opened during the summer months only first on 12 May 1972. The brewer was Bass Charrington. It would not have been the first at this location. Frederick Hotels held a licence in 1901 but that was for the exclusive use of passengers using the Hamburg-America liners. On another pier that year, drinks were also served by the Promenade and Pier Pavilion Company Ltd.

 

The "Lighthouse" unfortunately did not prosper. 1973 would have been its last active year.

The original premises was destroyed in the 1987 hurricane.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 June, 1904. Price 1d.

PUBLIC HOUSE TRANSFERS

THE PORT OF CALL

In accordance with notice, Mr. Rutley Mowll applied for the final confirmation of the license granted to Mr. Coxan of the “Lord Warden Hotel,” to supply refreshments at a building (which he had completed according to plans previously approved by the Bench on the Prince of Wales Pier, which will shortly be used for the embarking and landing of passengers using the Atlantic liners which will call at Dover on and after the 1st of July. Mr. T. A. Walmsley, Engineer of the Dover Harbour Board, proved that the building in which the refreshments would be served had been completed in accordance with the plans previously submitted to the Bench, except that it had been put a little further towards the west for the convenience of the Station.

Mr. Bottle: And the building is actually completed?

Yes, I saw it half an hour ago – Mr. Mowll said that there was a little telegraph office and other conveniences for travellers in the course of erection, but the building in which the refreshments would be served was completed. The license was confirmed.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

FORSTER Harry or FOSTER 1972

JAMES Peter 1972

HALL John B 1974 Library archives 1974 (Lighthouse cafe)

 

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

 

Lighthouse at Prince of Wales Pier

I thought the above photo showed the lighthouse at the end of the Prince of Wales Pier before the Lighthouse cafe and bars were actually built around this central lighthouse. However, it has been pointed out to me by Jim Moore that this pier and lighthouse is actually the one at Ramsgate. However, they are very similar in design.

 

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

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