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2 Bench Street
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The picture, above, taken about 1928, shows the
Guildhall Vaults and J. Williams, the tobacconists on the corner of
Bench Street. |
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Bench Street, Guildhall Vaults, corner of Queen Street after being
bombed during WW2. Rubble has been cleared from the "Guildhall
Vaults". The huge crater in Bench Street is just out of our picture to
the left. |
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From the East Kent Messenger. December 2nd 1955.
First, oil bomb hit
the old "Guildhall Vaults"
THE first oil bomb to fall on Dover landed right in the middle of Bench
Street during the early hours of October 6th, 1943. 'The deadly fuel it
contained set fire to the historic Guildhall Vaults and adjoining
tobacconist's shop and a shoe shop opposite.
All three premises were completely gutted and German communiques
mentioned large fires in the Dover area.
The Guildhall Vaults was one of the oldest public houses in Dover, being
founded in 1690. It is reputed to have stood upon the site of the Dover
Guildhall, where the Assizes were held.
A secret passage from the Guildhall Vaults to the Western Heights is
said to be used for moving prisoners.
The Vaults was a popular rendezvous for seafaring men. Trinity House
pilots in particular. It was known all over the world.
Older readers will no doubt recall the famous grapevine in the back
garden. This survived enemy action but unfortunately it succumbed to the
demolition men.
Next door to the Vaults and part of the building was Mr. Jack Williams'
tobacconist's shop. He lost every bit of his stock that night, but by
telephoning and sending telegrams, Mr. Williams had cigarettes delivered
to him the next day and was completely restocked within 48 hours.
For Dover's wartime inhabitants were not to be done out of their
cigarette and Mr. Williams continued at another shop in Biggin street.
Today, the original site is still empty. There Is a well-kept lawn,
surrounded by ugly gaping walls.
But one day, the Guildhall Vaults will rise again. For planning
permission has been granted to the brewers. (Dec 10th 1955).
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NO RE-BUILDING HAS TAKEN PLACE YET (circa 1956):- There is a well-kept lawn behind a
tiny privet hedge. A new public house will be erected on the site.
This was later shown to be the "Dover Tavern"
and opened on 4th July 1957. |
Reckoned to be a pretty old one this. John Bachelor, the mayor of 1600,
was the keeper of a "Guildhall Tavern" near the Market Place and this it was
said, could be traced to 1690. Previous to that it had been titled the "Bull" with a large assembly room at the back for meetings and concerts. A
passage, used for the movement of French prisoners, ran from here to the
Western Heights.
It belonged to Walker when it was sold for £1,300 in 1859. The title
"Guildhall Vaults" was certainly in use from 1805. It was extensively
damaged by fire on 13 May 1888.
It closed in March 1942, the property then of Ind Coope and Allsopp.
Another victim of world war two, it was damaged when an oil bomb landed in
Bench Street on 6 October 1943 setting fire to it.
The Queen Street corner property, during the 19th century, was a
saddler's, and next was the "Guildhall Vaults" Inn, which had historic
connections, although not definitely known, with the old Guildhall, which
existed before the one in the Market Place was built in 1607.
The "Dover Tavern" has since been erected on the site for Ind Coope.
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From the Dover Express. March 1888.
Fire at the Guildhall Vaults.
The Guildhall Vaults Inn Bench Street was on Sunday extensively damaged
by fire. The outbreak was discovered shortly after four o’clock and as
the occupier was out at the time an entrance had to be effected by
bursting open the door. The fire originated in a cupboard near the
kitchen and was supposed to be due to over heating. The kitchen was
gutted and other parts of the building were damaged. The premises and
contents were insured.
Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.
More reading of Dover at
www.DoverHistory.co.uk
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LICENSEE LIST
BOND William 1826-28+
HOUGHTON Thomas 1828
(Guildhall Tavern)
FOORD George 1832-47+
   
WALL 1857
BIRD George Herbert 1874-82+
 
HILLS Johnathan 1888-91+
POFFLEY Frewin 1893-38 end (Late Sergeant Major, Royal Artillery)
WARD James 1898-1912 end
 
WHITING Walter 1912-13+
TOWNSEND John Robert 1914-38 end
  
MORECROFT Neville 1938
MORECROFT Mrs. 20 Mar 1942 (Dover Express)
APPLETON Miss Freda May 20 Mar 1942-43 end (Dover Express)
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 the Post Office Directory 1874
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Kelley's Directory 1899
From the Post Office Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33
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