A landmark Dover pub, famous for its “upside-down” furniture and 156-year history, is finally calling time.
Local planning officials have green-lit a project to turn Les Fleurs, a fixture of Ladywell, into a 24-bed hostel. This decision effectively ends a century and a half of history for the Victorian site. It has been a public house since at least the mid-1800s. While the move brings fresh investment to the town centre, many locals feel a sense of loss at the disappearance of one of Kent’s most eccentric drinking dens.
Shift from pints to pillows
Dover District Council recently gave the go-ahead for the three-storey building to be repurposed. It follows a somewhat rocky decade for the venue. Over its long life, the building has traded under several names and served a variety of roles.
The approved plans involve a significant internal overhaul. Builders will remodel the interior to create new guest rooms across the upper levels. Despite this, the building’s distinctive Victorian frontage is set to stay. Planners believe the project will provide a boost to the local economy. By offering short-term beds, it aims to cater to the steady stream of visitors passing through the port.
A look back at 150 years
Records show the site has been a licensed premises since 1869. For most of that time, it was known as the Sir John Falstaff. It held onto that name for more than 140 years, even surviving the heavy shelling of the Second World War.
After the pub closed in 2011, there were genuine fears it would be left to rot. However, local businessman Jeffrey Flowers stepped in a year later. He spent a significant amount of time and money on a massive renovation. When it eventually reopened as Les Fleurs in 2015, it wasn’t just a pub; it was a conversation piece.
The “wacky” interior and local legends
Under Mr Flowers’ ownership, the pub gained a cult following. A former stonemason and farmer, he famously decided to bolt furniture to the ceiling. It gave the bar a surreal, disorienting feel you simply couldn’t find anywhere else in Dover.
- Customers often looked up to see a full-sized pool table and heavy mirrors fixed directly above them.
- The venue became a go-to spot for eclectic music, specifically its Monday night reggae and dub sessions.
- To fund the project, Mr Flowers reportedly cashed in his pension and sold his car. He told reporters at the time that he was determined to “bring the girl back” to her former glory.
The owner also spoke frequently about the building’s resident ghosts. He once claimed to have seen a “big grey shadow” moving through the bar walls during a late shift. These stories only added to the pub’s local mystique.
Decline of the traditional local
For heritage fans, the loss of Les Fleurs is a bitter pill. During the late 19th century, the Ladywell area was a bustling network of small alehouses. They served the dockworkers and soldiers who defined the town. At its peak, Dover was said to have more pubs per square mile than almost anywhere else in the UK.
But the last twenty years have been lean. Economic shifts and changing habits mean many of these historic spots have been demolished or turned into flats. The transition of Les Fleurs into a hostel is the latest chapter in this trend.
Protecting the Victorian facade
Council officers had to weigh the loss of a social hub against the need for visitor accommodation. The official approval notice makes it clear that developers must follow strict conservation rules.
The building is famous for its beautiful tiling and stonework, mostly dating back to a 1903 rebuild. Officials are keen to make sure these features are protected while the inside is transformed.
What happens now?
With the bid approved, the final trading days for the pub are numbered. While we don’t have a firm closing date yet, work is expected to start on-site within the coming months. The project involves turning the upper floors into bedrooms while keeping part of the ground floor as a communal area for guests. The building will stay standing, but its life as a quirky social hub is effectively over.
