The Ravensgate Arms in Ramsgate will dedicate its pop-up opening night tomorrow (August 31) to the memory of former employee Paul Butters.
Paul was sadly found dead in a property on Wellington Crescent on Sunday. He was the father of teenager Taiyah Peebles who tragically died last month on the rail line at Herne Bay station.
The King Street pub, which closed in May after the licence was revoked, is reopening under general manager Roger Bell who originally opened the venue in 2014.
He will be joined in the venture by Eddie Gadd of GADDS’ Ramsgate Brewery who will be providing his beers and Kiki Case who will be in charge of food and wine.
The pub will be open Thursday from 5pm, and then all day Friday and Saturday. It will then open full time from around 15 September.
Paul worked at the pub and was popular with staff and punters. The opening, at 5pm, will now raise funds for a mental health charity in his memory.
‘Legacy’
In a statement on facebook Mr Bell said: “The Ravensgate is full of good memories with Paul. It would be wrong to ignore what happened when we open the doors, so tomorrow night is about him.
“We’ll be donating the profits from Gamma Ray sold that night to a mental health charity, and we’ll be making that charity our nominated charity for the pub. That is just the start though, I want to keep his legacy alive and keep his name in there for as long as I run the place.”
The’fundraiser has gained support with donations coming from Adrian Mowl at the Royal Harbour Brasserie, a handmade ukele from Rod Arthur and others.
Labour County Councillor and Ravensgate customer Karen Constantine is also organising a raffle for the night.
‘A plea’
She said: “A plea from the heart. Many of you know the late Paul Henry (Butters). Lovely kind Paul. He has sadly left us. We are all so sorry.
“As an ex-employee of The Ravensgate, they are dedicating their opening evening tomorrow night to him. Together we hope to raise funds for mental health charities. Several businesses have donated to the cause. Lillie Constantine and I will be running an old fashioned raffle. If you have an item you’d like to donate please contact us and we will organise.
All donations gratefully received and all proceeds going to great mental health charities.”
Contact Karen on [email protected] or message her on facebook to donate or go to The Ravensgate Arms facebook page here
Police say there are no suspicious circumstances in Paul’s death and they are preparing a report for the coroner.