The Harrows public house was originally in Harrow Road, North Benfleet. See photos below.
The night of July 1914 it burned to the ground. It was being prepared for the Harvest Festival supper and all the tables and food were lost. The photos showed the temporary marquee erected to allow the pub to stay open to the public.
It was rebuilt in 1915, but now at right angles to Harrow Road, and continued to hold the licence until the new pub, which retained the name The Harrows, was built on the new A127 in 1927.
The old building in Harrow Road became two private houses.
The Arterial Road pub is now called the Dick Turpin.
Comments about this page
Add your own comment
Think this was known as the ‘Brighton Run’ as well. It was owned by Wheatley Taverns, who also owned the ‘Circus Tavern’ at Purfleet. Worked here as a young chef in the late 1970s, got free tickets for the world darts finals that were held at the Circus Tavern, got John Lowe’s autograph on a beer mat.
Yes, I remember this pub very well back in the 1950s. On a Saturday night they had a chap playing the piano on a small stage, and behind him stood someone with a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. The piano used to rock back and forth with his playing. Happy Days, so sad it`s now being closed for ever.
The Harrows was one big bar capable of taking two or three coachloads of Londoners who came down from London for the day out after the War. The Fortune of War, now no more, and the Halfway House, were also stop overs for a drink before arriving at Southend for the day, fish and chips, and cockles, then back home.
Later in the 70s it entertained many of building workers on a Friday to topless dancers, also evening stag nights. Margate was another day out for firms from this area. You left at 8am, visited all the pubs on the way, arrived about 2pm, had to leave at 6pm, same routine on the way home, arriving home about 1am. A good time was had by most, but very tired.
Add a comment about this page