Town Arms, Gravesend

This is a club, which means that the bar may be only open to members.

The Town Arms first opened its doors to the public in 1705, the fourth year of Queen Anne's reign. It was initially known as The Pippin Tree (1705-24), then The Cherry Tree (1724) before becoming the Town Arms in 1834. The present building dates from 1847.

It is listed as a tied house belonging to local brewers Walker's before being acquired by Charrington's on takeover in 1905. It remained a Charrington's house for most of the 20th century. As trade dwindled, in an attempt to revive its fortunes it adopted the name Night Shades in around 2000, changing to The Market Bar in 2010 and finally Blake's in 2017. It ceased trading as a pub shortly afterwards and now operates as a night club.

Thanks to dover-kent.com for permission to use the archive photographs.