Can anyone provide any information on the property or business hiding behind the sign of the Margate Yacht Club (est 1932) at 12-14 Fort Hill, Margate?
A local family historian got in touch with me after noticing an older sign becoming visible beneath the old Yacht Club sign. The lettering appears to be on glass, with the letters R??AL being uncovered, along with the name Wales & Sons (which is where a potential family connection lies).
We initially thought this may be a public house named the Prince Royal, after the famous ship that set sail from a point just opposite in 1613. However, we can find no record for such a public house within directories, lists of public-houses, nor on maps. So perhaps it is something like Café Royal.
Unfortunately I don't have findmypast access to do an address search. The building is located next to the Hoy Inn/Tavern/Hotel (at one point, more recently, the Benjamin Beale). Before the Fort Hill road--name was extended, the Hoy was located on: Bankside or Bank Side (up to 1851), Marine Parade (1867), 4 Parade (1881), The Parade (1890) - and from maps, I could believe it's neighbour had an address on Paradise street (see
https://www.margatelocalhistory.co.uk/HotSpotViewer/z1852Hotspots.htm or
https://www.margatelocalhistory.co.uk/HotSpotViewer/z1873Hotspots.htm ). I found pictures at
https://www.margatelocalhistory.co.uk/HotSpotViewer/OS_1907_Pics/Parade.html, but can't make out any business names.
My ancestor George Wales (1816-1854) and his son William R Wales (1836-1887) are associated with The Good Intent on Bath Road. There's no mention of other properties in William's will.
Any information would be gratefully received.
