From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 15 November, 1873.

ROBBERY FROM THE ROYAL HOTEL

On Monday night last several articles of jewellery, &c., to the value of about £30 were stolen from the private room of Mrs. Allen, the proprietress of the above hotel. Suspicion attaches to a person who occupied apartments at the hotel on the night in question, and the enquiries of the police have elicited a person answering the description of the one suspected, apparently a foreigner, offered for sale in Dover on Tuesday two seven-shilling pieces, these being among the articles stolen. No further clues have been obtained.

(Although obviously not the ones mentioned above, a seven shilling piece, otherwise known as a third of a guinea, was issued between 1797 ands 1813. Made of gold this filled the gap caused by the lack of silver coins. The one below is 1810. Paul Skelton)

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 31 March, 1900. 1d.

THE DISADVANTAGES OF PARAFFIN

Mr. J. O'Conner was summonsed for riding a bicycle without a light on the 15th inst.

Sergt. Turner said that he was on duty in the Strand about 10 o'clock on the night of the 15th when he saw defendant riding a bicycle without a light. He stopped him and in reply to his questions defendant said that the lamp had just gone out and that he could not keep it alight.

By the Clerk: It was a rather gusty night. The lamp was cold and he could not see any signs of it being alight as he walked down the centre of the road. He stopped defendant by Mr. Rose's shop.

Defendant said it was an accident. He had ridden from Sandwich, and he found that his lamp was short of oil. Being a Thursday he could not purchase a fresh supply, and he went into the "Royal Hotel," where he obtained some paraffin. In a lamp of this sort paraffin was very liable to blow out, and his light went out as he turned the corner by the "South Eastern Hotel," and it would do so on coming into a current of air or if the wind blew in gusts. He did not notice that he had no light until the policeman drew his attention to it. It was purely an accident, and he had no intention of contravening the law.

Capt. Coleman said the Bench did not doubt defendant's account of the transaction, but the law obliged everyone to provide for contingencies, and he was bound to have a light. Under the circumstances they would treat the case in a lenient manner, and impose a fine of 2s. 6d., remitting the costs.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 14 April, 1900. 1d.

ANOTHER DOG LICENSE CASE

Mrs. Gandier was summoned for keeping two dogs without a license.

Mr. Wilks appeared for defendant, and pleaded guilty, but said it was quite an oversight.

P.C. Bennett deposed that on the 8th he saw two dogs on the premises of the "Royal Hotel." he asked them to produce the licenses, and was informed by the Manageress that Mrs. Gandier was away. He called again on the 10th, and was shown two licenses that had been taken out that day.

By the Inspector: That was two days after he first called.

Mr. Wilks said that Mrs Gandier had kept these dogs for some little time, and always had licenses before. She went away at the end of January, and being very unwell, had remained from home since that time. Immediately the police called about the license, the manageress wrote to her, and she at once replied, giving instructions for a license to be taken out immediately, and explaining that it was an oversight on her part.

In reply to the Bench, Mr. Wilks said that Mrs. Gandier had not received a notice, but the Inspector said that the Excise Office issued a notice in every case, and also informed the Bench that the defendant was summoned on April 13th of last year, for keeping a dog without a license, and ordered to pay the costs, 5s. 6d. One would have thought that would have been a reminder to take one out this year.

Mr. Wilks pointed out that that was in respect of one dog only, a license having been taken out for the other.

The Inspector: No, sir.

Mr. Wilks: Mrs. Gandier had two licenses last year.

The Inspector: No, sir, not till after we reported her for one. She had a second dog, but we did not happen to see it. (Laughter).

A fine of 5s. and 7s. costs was imposed in each case - 24s. in all, the Magistrates' Clerk remarking that fortunately there were no convictions before and this was not a second offence, or the Bench must have inflicted a minimum penalty of one fourth of the maximum, £5.

From the Mercury, 29 January, 2006.

Above photo shows "Royal Hotel" manager Martin Smith, Deal Mayor Cllr Sue Delling, "Royal Hotel" manager Sara Smith and Shepherd Neame chairman Robert Neame.

Historic building unveils latest look.

One of Deal's most historic seafront buildings, where Lord Nelson used to meet his lover, showed off its latest look last week.

The "Royal Hotel" in Beach Street was officially re-opened last Tuesday after Faversham brewers Shepherd Neame spent £450,000 on the property as part of a £20 million investment in its pubs in the next three years.

Shepherd Neame chairman Robert Neame conducted the official reopening with the Deal Mayor Cllr Sue Delling, who pulled the first pint.

During the evening a cheque for £200 was presented to artistic director of the Deal Summer Music Festival Paul Edlin.

Shepherd Neame chief executor Jonathan Neame said; "The Royal is a traditional seaside hotel housed in a lovely old building and our refurbishment has lovingly restored many original features as well as modernising the decor."

The Royal has a new bar overlooking the sea, a new restaurant, a new-look function room and toilets, as well as new decking and signs outside.

To celebrate the new-look restaurant, customers booking a table for two in January or February will receive a free bottle of house wine and Hildon water.

As well as the bar and restaurant, the Royal has 22 ensuite bedrooms, conference and meeting rooms and holds a wedding licence.

The early 18th century hotel was a regular haunt of the famous sea captain Lord Nelson, who used to meet his lover Lady Hamilton in one of the rooms when his fleet was anchored off The Downs.