By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Esson
A distinctive Grade-II Listed former pub labelled an “eyesore” is set to be overhauled into flats.
Divisive plans to transform Margate’s Britannia pub into homes recently received a mixed reaction.
But now, the once prominent family pub in Fort Hill, previously renowned for its £1 roast dinners and vibrant music scene, is expected to be revamped into four flats.
From the 1800s the site of the Britannia pub in Margate has been a destination for drinkers. The original building overlooked the harbour and the jetty and has been in use in its current form since the mid 1840s. It is claimed it was once a hunting lodge and tied with the original Cobb’s Brewery, in operation on the site adjoining the pub from the early 1800s until 1968.
Following the demolition of Cobb’s in the 1970s the site saw some new buildings put up which included the current police station next door.
The Britannia was last run by landlord Paul Rollins and wife Edna but they announced its closure in 2020 due to pressures including ‘crippling’ business rates.
Paul and Edna had run the Fort Hill boozer for almost five years and hit the headlines with their £1 Sunday roast dinners but it came to an end when they said it was no longer viable.
Paul, who was the President of the Licenced Victuallers Association Thanet Branch, revealed during a meeting that he was paying a huge £22,000 a year in business rates.
The pub had a brief reopening in 2021 but this was short-lived.
Now, Thanet District Council planning chiefs are expected to greenlight developer Acme Lettings’ proposals, after it pointed out the “non-viability” of running pubs.
The Whitstable developer argued in its design and access statement: “Certainly, the decline of the pub as a community facility is highlighted in that another local pub has closed, together with many other pubs within the area, most due to the non-viability of running them.”
“There has been various alterations to the existing building over time, not all in character with the age and style of the property, consisting of extensions to the front side and rear,” the developers add.
The building situated next to Margate Police Station has a distinctive castellated front, with Acme stressing the unique design will remain unchanged.
Originally, the application also included plans for two semi-detached cottages in the former beer garden.
However, the buildings were removed from the plans, with TDC’s conservation officer labelling them “inappropriate” and “ultimately causing harm to the primary listed property”.
The application has attracted six objections and nine letters of support in the authority’s planning portal.
“With the urgent need for more housing, changing the use of the land and property to incorporate such in a prime seafront location therefore seems to be the best and most sensible way forward,” wrote resident Keith Docwra.
“I feel this proposal will bring a much-needed and welcome change to the site in question.”
The new homes would be a “small but essential step in the right direction and can only serve to enhance the local area,” Mr Docwra added.
Andrew Cox wrote that he supports the bid “to finally do something constructive with the white elephant that is the Britannia public house.
“I know that the pub business has failed on five consecutive occasions because the Britannia is too big for its own good.
“These days people want specialist designer bars and micro pubs. The days of the huge family public house have long gone.”
He added: “Residential use is the only sensible option.”
“The building will go from being a paint-peeling eyesore, with a concrete car park dominating the frontage, to an attractive facade with substantial planting,” wrote Elizabeth Stone.
However, not everyone is overjoyed to see the historic inn converted.
Julian Stone, pub preservation officer of the Thanet Campaign for Real Ale, wrote to the district council on behalf of the 500 members.
“We believe the Britannia Hotel needs time to reestablish itself,” he argued.
“Let’s be clear, pubs and hotels in Margate need to be protected from being converted into flats or houses in multiple occupation.
“Pubs and hotel businesses are important for the town’s continued prosperity and vitality.”
TDC’s planning committee is set to vote on the application at a meeting on Wednesday, April 17, where planning officers will recommend it be approved.
