7-9 Church Street

Folkestone

Above photograph kindly supplied by Jan Pedersen, 1978.

Above photos by Paul Skelton, 27 June 2009.

First opened in 1967, known as "Le Grand Chemney," as a restaurant with only a beer, cider and wine license, having been converted from tea rooms. The full license was finally granted in 1977. The following year the premises expanded with the acquisition of the premises next door at number 9.

Fire swept through the premises in August 1991 destroying a fifth of each floor and seriously effected the rest of the building. The licensee, William Taylor lost two dogs in the fire.

The Grand Metropolitan acquired the pub on 8th June 1992 and by October the same year it reopened. William Taylor finally gave up the lease in June 1999.

According to a message left on Flikr:- "The Pullman was a rough pub where fights were not uncommon."

Now reopened after a short time closed the pub has gone through a reformation under the reign of Steve and Linda Harris. The establishment now boasts of no distracting TVs, no jukebox, no swearing of course, no pool or darts. Just a traditional pub, the way they should be in which customers can relax under a calm atmosphere.

I also believe at the time of writing this the pub offers four real ales.

LICENSEE LIST

TAYLOR William 1984-June/1999

FOILET Phillipe 1999-Jan-2004

HARRIS Steve & Linda to 2010+