Written by Colin Varrall
From as early as 1912, plans were already taking place for the majority of the houses, properties and businesses that were all located on the seaward side of Beach Street to be acquired and then demolished, both north and south of the Royal Hotel, which became known as the Central Deal Improvement. All these properties were to be purchased by the Corporation of Deal to allow for their proposed plans of road widening.
The decision was being made by the Corporation due to the average width between the seaward properties and the existing properties on the westward side of Beach Street having been less than an eight feet, which made it difficult for even two hand carts to pass side by side. The width between the buildings along one section of Beach Street was measured to be 7 feet and 9 inches.
Some of these buildings that had existed along the seaward side of Beach Street and situated south of the Royal Hotel were numbered as 84, 82, 80. 78, 76, 74 and 72. The property located at the most southern side of the Royal Hotel was No. 72, and named Royal House, which for many years had been occupied by Richard Fox, who had a confectioner’s shop. The property was later occupied by Messrs. Dean Corke and Sons, who ran an old English furniture and antiques shop. The building is recorded as still standing in 1924.
To the rear and north side of Royal House was No.74, which was a private house that is said to have been occupied by two ladies, who had both been in service to one of the Lord Warden’s at Walmer Castle at one time. During the sale of the ladies furniture there were noted to be some interesting relics that had been given to the ladies from the Lord Warden’s that had originally been at Walmer Castle.
The next property on the north side of No.74 was No.76, which had once been the headquarters of the Deal & Walmer Angling Association. This property later became a tobacconist’s and confectioner’s shop, and was owned by Mr. W. G. Groombridge, who had been a former member of Deal Town Council.
Beyond this property was a capstan ground, which had been listed as being occupied by Mr. Robert’s. North again of this was another private residence at No.78.
Adjacent to that property was an old house at No.84, which had been a small establishment that was used as a Food Control Office during the First World War (1914-1918). By the side of this property was an alleyway and public thoroughfare, which lead from Beach Street and directly to the shingle beach.
In addition to these properties already mentioned that were located directly on Beach Street, there were also other buildings situated between them and the shingle beach. One of the most prominent of these was the Fountain public house, which was No.82 was set apart with an alleyway from the Royal Hotel.
The Fountain is believed to have originated from around 1661 and was reputed to have been notorious for its association with smugglers. The property was easily recognisable due to its weatherboarding and stood directly south of the Royal Hotel and lead onto the beach. The Fountain finally closed for business on December 30, 1922, and was eventually acquired by the Deal Corporation in 1924 for £1,200, before it was eventually demolished.
Another building that was located south of the Fountain and situated alongside Royal House, was the Lloyd’s Signal Station. This property was listed as being a Customs Watch House in 1887. By 1896, the Deal Town Council served Lloyd’s of London with a note to quit the building, which was being rented and was to be one of the buildings to also be demolished in the Central Deal Improvement.
By 1915, the properties were all listed as; No.72 – Corke, W.D. & Son, upholsters; No.74 – empty, No.76 – Mansfield House, Groombridge, Walter John, tobacconist; No.78 – Copper, Mrs. H., lodging house; No.80 – Acacia, Mrs. Carter, private house; No.82 – Maxted Alfred, private house; Fountain Inn, Mrs. M. Jennings.
In 1922, only four of the properties were continuing to be listed; No.74 – Street, C.; No.76 – Deal and Walmer Angling Association HQ; No.78 – Hubbard, H.S.; No.82 – empty.
Where most of these buildings had stood eventually allowed for the widening of Beach Street to the south of the Royal Hotel. The majority of the area later became what is now occupied by the car park to the south of the Royal Hotel.
The only buildings that remained after the demolitions were the Royal Hotel and the Ladies Cloakroom, which is now the Route One cycle cafe on the south promenade.