1914 Pikes -
Palmer's Institute
Palmer, G. S. & Sons, motor body builders.
Palmer, G. S. & Sons, Men's Institute
18 February 1921 (DE) - Plans for a store at Cherry Tree Avenue, for the Connaught Coach Works and Palmers Ltd., were passed
4 March 1921 (DE)
7 July 1922
14 July 1922 (DE) - The Dover Food Production Committee - The Future Of Allotments - A meeting of the Dover Food Production Committee was held at the Town Hall on Thursday afternoon, The Vice Chairman (Mr G. D. Clark) presiding.
The Clerk reported in regards to Cherry Tree Avenue Allotments that the purchasers of the land were the Connaught Coach Works and Messers. Bradley, Chitty and Scorer notified that the owners were anxious to get possession of part of the land for the erection of a workshop 50ft by 100ft. This would create local employment, they pointed out, and they hoped the corporation would allow possession as quickly as possible. Their clients would give permission for the tenants of the land not required to remain, and would compensate when land was required later on.
The Chairman said that plans had not been sent in yet, and he did not think the building would commence much before October. He suggested that they should give the ground up now, subject to the owners compensating tenants displaced.
It was agreed to do this............
23 February 1923
29 June 1923 (DE) - A full page advert was placed
18 July 1924 (DE)
5 November 1926 (DE) - The Connaught Coach Works shop asked for permission to store a further 500 gallons of petrol at their premises in Cherry Tree Avenue. The Surveyor said that the present licence was for 100 gallons, and they proposed to store the additional 500 in an underground store to the left of the entrance. It was to be served from a swing arm. He had consulted the Borough Electrical Engineer on the matter, as the installation of the tank would necessitate the removal of a public lamp from its present position 6ft away....... this was agreed but there was query about a nearby street light that was referred to the lighting committee
1927 Pikes -
Connaught Coach Works and Palmers Ltd Tele 175, 176
Palmer's Institute
28 January 1927 (DE) - Connaught Coach Works Motor Workshop - The Surveyor submitted a building notice and plans from Messers W. Beeston & Son, in connection with a proposal of the Connaught Coach Works and Palmers Ltd, Cherry Tree Avenue, to build a workshop at Cherry Tree Avenue. The building would be constructed of 9in external brick walls, covered with asbestos tiles. It would be connected with the existing surface water drain. The lavatory accommodation was sufficient to comply with the regulations for the number of extra men who would be employed. He recommended the application for approval.
16 March 1928 (DE) - Palmers (Dover) Ltd - The well known company of coach builders and motor engineers, The Connaught Coach Works and Palmers Limited, is transferring its business to a new company, to be known as "Palmers (Dover) Limited". The firm, which has been established since 1770, will be carried on as formerly without a break and will continue to give the same high class and thorough work for which it has been noted in the past. The object of the reconstruction is for purely domestic reasons, and is designed to effect more economical working. The local Directorate will be as before, viz.: Mr W. J. Palmer (Chairman), Mr A. S. Watts, with addition of Mr C. G. Palmer; secretary, Mr W. E. Carter. The old Company is being wound up in accordance with the Companies Act, which is a purely formal proceeding.
16 March 1928 (DE)
16 August 1929 (DE) - notice
1931-2 Pikes - Palmers (Dover) Ltd, 228 London Road and Cherry Tree Ave
11 May 1934 (DE)
11 May 1934 (DE) - items moved into the workshops for sale
1935-1936 Pikes
5 - Palmers (Dover) Ltd. motor body works and offices. (tel 175)
The Garden Hall
22 November 1935 (DE)
19 February 1937 (DE)
19 March 1937 (DE)
7 May 1937 (DE) - Advert
4 June 1937 - click here for Palmers London Road
22 Oct 1937
1938-9 Pikes
5 - Lewis Bros (Dover) Ltd. showrooms & motor works tel 129
The Garden Hall
1948 -1950 Pikes -
5 Lewis Bros (Dover) Ltd. garage
Factory Portland Plastics
Store, Dover Gas Company
Cherry Tree Hall, Dover Gas Company
1956 - 67 kellys
5 & 19 Lewis Bros Dover Ltd. motor engineers & hire service. tel Dover 129 & 41
Click here for 19 Cherry Tree
South East Gas Board
Thompsons of Dover Ltd (formed 1979, dissolved in 2003). Tel Dover 206518
Thompsons moved here from Woolcomber St, and at different times were also at:-
London Rd - taxi - driving instructor
High St - taxi
Park Place - showroom - car sales
Woolcomber Street - workshop and car sales
Primrose road - car preparation bodywork
1977 - I think this is when Thompson had at least part of the site, and planning applications can be seen for:-
1977 - extending the old engineering shop (not sure that this was Thompsons)
1988 - various signs for Thompsons
1989 - development to workshops to form open car sales forecourt
1990's - Photos Courtesy of Mark Danson
1992 - permission was sought to provide a car showroom within the existing building.
1990
c1991
c1998 Thompson Car show room & workshops closed,
Demolition of the garage, see photo courtesy Stuart Kinnon.
by 2000 Aldi were open
2016