THE economic impact of lockdown measures has weighed heavy on the hospitality sector.

The UK’s pub industry, already facing a steady decline, was particularly hard hit.

Harwich and Dovercourt still boast a number of fantastic and historic pubs, all well worth supporting.

The British pub is still very much a part of our country’s cultural fabric.

Looking back over the previous centuries, with a little help from the archives of The Lost Pubs Project, we can uncover amazing stories of pubs which had their day, before shutting their doors for good.

There are terrific tales of pubs dating back as far as the 18th Century.

Take The Ship, in Kings Quay Street, which shut its doors for good in 1927.

The building is now used as a restaurant, but the pub opened in around 1743, becoming The Bell before changing names to Ye Olde Shipp Inn during the First World War.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: The Ship - now in use as a restaurantThe Ship - now in use as a restaurant

It has since had different leases of life as a tearoom, bookshop and sweet shop, before being restored in 1976 for its current use.

The Lost Pubs Project also details a brief story of the King’s Head, in Market Street, which closed in 1932 and is now in residential use.

The publican in 1895 was Frederick Chambers.

It was known as the house of the dancing bears, with seamen bringing bears ashore to dance in the pub.

After a fire and a drop in trade due to the departure of the Army and Navy, the pub was sold in 1932 and converted into a general store.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

A plaque on the side of the former Foresters Arms, in Church Street, says: “Said to be the oldest house in Harwich (c.1450), The Foresters Arms was an ale house from 1800 to 1941, known locally as The Old Drum & Monkey.

“Seriously damaged by incendiaries in World War Two, but restored in 1953 by Winifred Cooper, MBE, President of The Harwich Society, it remained her home for nearly 50 years. It is now the headquarters of The Harwich Society.”

Here is the full list of the 34 former pubs in Harwich and Dovercourt, as catalogued by The Lost Pubs Project:

The Anchor, Stour Road, closed 2004. The publican in 1895 was James Spracklin, the pub opened in 1875.

Angel, The Quay. This pub is now used as a hotel. The publican in 1895 was William Appleby. Trading in 1824. Thomas Cobbold, brewer, leased from the corporation part of the wharf known as Watkins Quay and the public house formerly known as Yarmouth Arms. The Angel was a popular quay side watering hole until its closure.

The Bear, in Kings Quay Street, building now in use as a restaurant.

The Billy, West Street, closed in 2010. Originally opened as The William IV, renamed The Duke of Edinburgh in 1892, then renamed the Billy.

The Coach & Horses, Church Street, closed in 1934. Now in residential use. Publican in 1895 was Jonathan Gooding.

The Dolphin, Church Street, now in residential use Duke Of Norfolk, Kings Quay Street, closed in 1915.

Duke's Head, Church Street, closed in 1971. Now in residential use. The publican in 1895 was Diana Burroughes.

Elephant & Castle, West Street, closed in 1979. This pub closed in 1979, and reopened in 1985 as The Haywain. Now known as The Mariners. The publican in 1895 was John Smith.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Elephant and Castle - Picture source: harwichanddovercourt.co.ukElephant and Castle - Picture source: harwichanddovercourt.co.uk

Fleur De Lys, Market Street, closed in 1942. This pub was known as The Tabbard between 1658 and 1746, and was later known as The Dolphin. Opened in April 1876 by Daniel Barwood.

Golden Lion, George Street, This pub is now used as a wine bar called Smugglers.

Great Eastern Hotel, The Quay.

The Half Moon, St Austin's Lane, closed in 1973. The publican in 1895 was Mary Ann Dowling. This pub is now in use as a Thai restaurant.

Kings Arms, Church Street

Kings Head, Market Street, closed in 1932. Now in residential use.

Lifeboat, Kings Head Street, closed in 1957. Originally known as The Red, White & Blue Inn.

London Tavern, Church Street, closed in 1922. Now in residential use, having been converted into two houses. The publican in 1895 was John Osborne. Trading from 1870 to 1878 as an ale house, it was purchased by the Co-operative Society, who ran it as a pub and drapery store. After a fire caused considerable damage the society decided to close the pub and built a new one opposite.

New Swan, Kings Head Street, closed in 1910. The publican in 1895 was Eliza Long.

Packet Inn, West Street, closed in 1954. This pub is now in residential use. The publican in 1895 was David Rudler. Previously known as The Smack and The Eagle Pacquet Boat, the pub reverted to being a house in 2004.

Pier Hotel, Quay, opened in 1860 as competition to the Railway Hotel. The first female licensee was Mrs Jane Dale, who was granted the licence in 1902 after police objections following modernisation over the years. The hotel is very popular today as a modern hotel and restaurant. Publican in 1895 was Edward Messitter.

Prince Of Wales, West Street, closed in 1909. Now in residential use.

Queens Head, High Street, closed in 1927. This pub was built c.1866, closed in 1927 and was originally known as The Harwich Arms. After closure the pub became the Royal flats. A new Royal was built in Dovercourt as a replacement.

Railway Tavern, George Street, closed in 1952. 

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Railway Tavern - picture source: harwichanddovercourt.co.ukRailway Tavern - picture source: harwichanddovercourt.co.uk

Royal Hotel, Kings Quay Street, closed in 1927.

Royal Oak, Market Street, closed in 1932. Now used as flats.

Ship, Kings Quay Street, closed in 1927. This pub is now used as a restaurant. The publican in 1895 was Henry Davenport.

Six Bells, West Street, now in commercial use. Built c.1800 it was later to become a bakery and greengrocers.

Spread Eagle, West Street, closed in 1971. Now in residential use. Between 1684 and 1860 it was known as The Star. The publican in 1895 was Louis Tovell.

Swan, Kings Head Street, closed in 1910.

Three Cups, Church Street, closed in 1995.

Wellington Inn, Kings Quay Street, closed in 1999.

White Hart, George Street, closed in 1954.

White Horse, West Street, this pub is now in residential use.

Full lists can be found at closedpubs.co.uk.