In Cranbrook, Kent, three public houses were closed at the end of 1914 and
the owner (of all three) compensated financially; according to the local
newspaper. I would be interested to know if special legislation was
introduced to enable magistrates to do this; was this measure part of DORA.
I have been told subsequently that licensed premises could be closed by
magistrates if they felt that there were too many in a town or village. I
have searched through Petty Sessions records where the granting of licence
renewals and transfers are recorded but have found no mention of closures.
Would such closures have been recorded anywhere else?
Tony Singleton
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