Margate Archive: Another Slice of Margate's past

Amazing Ghost Sign Discovered in the Town

It’s mid-January, and as I wander through town, I can’t help but notice that some Christmas decorations are still up—and rightly so! For local history enthusiasts like me, the real highlight this week is the discovery of a fantastic ghost sign in Cliftonville. An escape room on Northdown Road recently gave its premises a spruce-up, revealing a beautifully preserved sign for J. Bailey & Co., a dispensing chemist that operated in Margate during the early to mid-20th century.

J. Bailey & Co. was a prominent name in Margate's commercial landscape, with two branches listed in the Isle of Thanet Kelly’s Directory of 1936: one at 2 Ethelbert Terrace and another at 65 Northdown Road. In the 1930s, the Ethelbert Terrace branch was managed by James Park, a Scottish pharmacist born in 1911 in Bo’ness. After completing his studies in pharmacy in Edinburgh and an apprenticeship with Alexander Fraser, James found it challenging to secure work in Scotland and moved to England. Managing the J. Bailey & Co. branch in Margate marked a pivotal chapter in his life.

The Ghost Sign as it was discovered at 65 Northdown Road

While in Margate, James met Marjorie (Madge) Edmonds, whose family owned a boarding house named "Kookaburra" at 11 Cliff Terrace. The couple married in 1938 at Cliftonville Methodist Church. Shortly before their marriage, James had moved to Oxford to manage another chemist’s branch, and Marjorie joined him there after their wedding.

It’s a rare treat when a piece of the past is so well preserved, and it seems the current owners of the premises are just as excited by the discovery. They’ve expressed a strong desire to share the find with the local community, with one owner commenting,

"We’re excited to share the find with the local community. We’re looking into ways to preserve what we’ve found, maybe even work it into the shopfront design or keep it and restore it, possibly even incorporating our logos on the door or sides instead."

It’s heartening to see such a deep appreciation for Margate’s history, and the sign’s restoration could give future generations a lasting connection to the town’s rich commercial past.

Baily and Co Ethelbert Terrace, Margate - Thanet local History

Advertisement from another branch of Baily and Co in Margate

As for the name "Bailey," it has a fascinating history of its own. The surname "Bailey" originates from the Old English word "baili," meaning "bailiff" or "steward," referring to someone who managed an estate or property. It could also be linked to the Middle English word "baili," meaning "city wall" or "fortification," indicating a person who lived near or worked on a wall or fort. While the exact individual behind the name in the case of J. Bailey & Co. remains unclear, it likely refers to the founder or an important figure in the company’s establishment.

The significance of this ghost sign goes beyond the name—it’s a tangible link to Margate's history, a glimpse into the town’s past, and a reminder of how often history can be uncovered when we least expect it. Whether the sign is incorporated into the shop’s design or preserved as a standalone artifact, it’s a piece of Margate’s story that deserves to be shared.

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So, another little insight into Margate’s rich history. Coming up in February, we’ll dive into the many floods that have struck the town, particularly in February—a month that seems to be prone to Margate’s share of natural disasters. And speaking of weather-related events, we’ll also be exploring the important work of Michael Yoakley, who was a key figure in Margate’s Charitable efforts in the town. Keep an eye out for this upcoming article, which will land February 1st . It promises to be a fascinating look at how Margate has weathered both literal and metaphorical storms over the years.

Other articles in the pipeline include the case of Sidney Harry Fox, the arrival of the Princess of Denmark, and more insights into the incredible people who have shaped Margate’s history. As always, thank you to everyone who has followed, subscribed, commented, and supported the work. If you enjoy what I do, you might like to buy me a coffee—just to keep the ideas flowing! Feel free to leave a comment or email me directly.

Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you in the next article.
Luke