92 Snargate Street

Also 86 Snargate Street (88 ) (89 )

Above shows the "George Hotel", identified by the flagpole on the apex of the roof and was the first of the properties to go when it was demolished to make an easier turn for the trams from Snargate Street into Strond Street. Next to the "George Hotel," on the town side, were the premises of Samuel Suter, a ship-chandler, and then came  the "Mechanics' Arms," the Friendly Society convalescent  home, Mrs. Wilson's lodging house, and the premises of R. Tritton, baker and confectioner. Beyond the "George Hotel" van be seen the facade of the "Prince Imperial," the "Ship Restaurant," and the Waverley Temperance Hotel.

George Hotel is shown above marked with "XX" just to the right of the ship. Markd with "XXX" is the "Mechanics' Arms." The single "X" is the "Prince Imperial."

To keep the record straight I have to say first that my searches produced the "George Inn" of 86 Snargate Street and the "George Hotel" of the same street. Not to be confused with the "George" of Bench Street. There being some confusion here with the "George" being in Bench Street just round the corner from the "George Inn" in Snargate Street. The licensees shed no light on the matter either. I expect they are one and the same establishment but I point that out before giving the facts I know.

The only brewer revealed was George Beer. A description of the "George Inn", which was said to date from 1720, identified it with a corner site on the South side of Snargate Street and stated that it narrowly missed compulsory purchase in 1835 when there were intentions to widen the approach to the victualling yard. Lack of funds prevented that.

A description of the "George Hotel" about 1900, stated that it stood opposite the Packet Yard with entrances from Strond Street and Snargate Street. It was permitted to open at five a.m. from 1876.

Problems emerged when the tram rails were laid in 1897. The sharpest curve, described as a forty foot radius, occurred at George Corner. It became the custom for the conductor to beg a bucket of water from the packet yard and wet the rails in an effort to persuade the wheels to slide round the bend.

There was opposition to the licence prior to 1909 but that year the Chief Constable added his weight. The forces under his command were never happy about premises which could be entered and left from two streets, but in addition, he pointed out that no yard was available and the toilets were in the basement, approached by a winding staircase. It was an achievement to get a suitable house licensed at that period. That sort of evidence meant that the bells tolled. It closed on 31 December 1909. It was fully licensed and contained four bars. The lease had expired in 1906 but it had operated since then as a free house on an annual basis.

Demolition was proposed in February 1910 and was carried out in September after ownership passed from Dover Harbour Board to the town. No doubt it would have improved matters for the trams but I understand that it was 1930 before George Corner disappeared altogether.

LICENSEE LIST

CULMER John Hottum 1826-40+ (Houlton )

WALLER 1843

PHILPOTT Stephen 1847-50 end

INSKIP Henry 1850

PHILPOTT 1850-51 end

CURRIE Thomas 1858-64

BROWNING Charles B. 1864

BROWNING 1865

SUTER or SOUTER late 1860's

FORD John 1874

CHEESEMAN E. A. 1877

HAPGOOD Charles 1881

DUMSDAY Albert 1882

PEARSON Charles 1882

WEBB T. S. 1885

OWEN Oliver C. 1885 end

HART Mrs 1887-89

HOOPER John 1887 end ?

HATWOOD William James 1891

SMITH Mr 1893

SMITH Mrs Sarah 1895

HOOLEY or HOLLY T. E. 1897-98

BYWATER Henry Archibald 1898-1900 end

BIDGOOD Albert Fitzroy 1900-11 (09 end?)

From the Pigot's Directory 1824

From the Pigot's Directory 1828-9

From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

From the Pigot's Directory 1839

From the Pigot's Directory 1840

From Bagshaw Directory 1847

From Melville's Directory 1858

From the Post Office Directory 1862

From the Post Office Directory 1874

From the Post Office Directory 1882

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1889

From the Post Office Directory 1891

From the Kelley's Directory 1899