59 Tower Hamlets Street

The above house is listed as number 59 Tower Hamlets Street and is reputed to have once been the Canterbury Bell. However, what I first thought was the beer delivery hatch just seen on the pavement between the two cars in the photo, disappointingly turned out to be a services man-hole cover. Photo by Paul Skelton 6 Oct 2007. However, from the information below stating that the road contained no more than 65 cottages at the time, renumbering may mean this is not the house in question. More research will be needed here.

A beer-house of George Beer, Star Brewery, Canterbury and that is the only reason I can advance for the unusual name. No doubt a pretty sign. The closure here came on 28 December 1908 when the authorities considered it surplus to requirements.

A description at the time mentioned two front bars but no parlour. A large room was available in the rear. Sixty five cottages comprised the street at the time but nine were unoccupied.

George Beer and Company received £932 in compensation and Albert Shorter the tenant £100.

LICENSEE LIST

BOND Thomas 1870

HASTINGS Thomas 1870

BALDOCK Henry 1874

LITTLE Edward 1875

COLLINS John 1876

CULLEN John 1878-79

BROWN William M. 1882

GOLDFINCH Walter Pascal 1882 (in 1899 Walter Goldfinch was reported as being a beer seller from 51 Clarendon Place)

PIPER L. 1886

NEWBLE Robert Frank 1899-1902 end (In 1899 Robert Newble was referred to as a beer retailer.)

SMITH Edward W. 1902-05 end

LAWRENCE F. or E. 1905

HILL Alfred 1906-7 end

SHORTER Alfred or Albert 1907-08 end

From the Kelley's Directory 1899