The Hen and Chicks

From the Kentish Gazette, Tuesday, 15 April, 1800.

To be disposed off.

A very complete cottage, with two good parlours, two good bedrooms, two servants rooms, kitchen and large pantry; a two stall stable, cow house with ten stalls, and two calf pens; large yard, near two acres of garden grounds, and two acres of meadow lands; delightfully situated within half a mile of Chatham.

For further particulars, apply to Mr. Francis Gilling, at the "Hen and Chickens," Luton, near Chatham, the proprietor.

From the Kentish Independent, Saturday, 20 October, 1849.

Fire at Luton.

On Sunday night about 11 o'clock, a fire broke out at the "Hen and Chickens," public house, at Luton, near Chatham, and owing to a strong wind blowing from the east, and the rapidity with which the flames spread, the house was very soon a body of fire. An express was forwarded to Rochester and Chatham, and the Kent and the Sun engines were both quickly at the spot, and having a good supply water, the flames were confined to the house. The landlord (Mr. Payne) and his family and inmates were in bed at the time the alarm was given. So fierce was the fire that the whole of the furniture, &c., fell a prey to the devouring element. The loss sustained falls on the Norwich Union Fire-Officer and his about £800.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Charlotte Phillips, 11 October 2024.

Firefighters called to blaze at empty Hen and Chicks pub in Luton High Street, Chatham.

Pictures have shown the aftermath of a blaze that tore through a former high street pub in the early hours.

Four fire engines attended the scene at the former Hen and Chicks in Luton High Street, Chatham, at around 6am.

The aftermath of the blaze at the former Hen and Chicks pub. Picture: Jonathan Brierly.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames and left shortly before 9am.

There were no reported injuries and the cause is not yet known.

One witness, who lives in the area and saw the aftermath of the blaze, said lots of smoke damage was visible.

Built as a farmhouse in 1702, the boozer was converted into an ale house in 1746 and was frequented by brickmakers and agricultural workers in the surrounding areas.

The aftermath of the blaze at the former Hen and Chicks pub. Picture: Jonathan Brierly.

There was at one point a forge on the side of the building in the heart of the village in Luton Road which burnt down many years ago.

The pub became a centre for Luton’s community activities and was popular among locals.

But last orders were called in 2019, and the brewery tried unsuccessfully to find a new manager.

In May, plans were put forward to convert the building into 10 one-bed apartments.

However, the planning application appears to have since been withdrawn.