The London Tavern in Margate gets set to reopen under new ownership

The London Tavern in Margate

Margate’s London Tavern pub is set to reopen in 2022 after being taken over by the Tiny Dancer Group.

The Addington Street pub first went on the market in 2018 and went to auction in 2020.

It has been run by Carl and Nancy Hilliard since 2016 when they bought the building and set about transforming it.

Carl and Nancy previously owned Ales of the Unexpected in Westgate and  sold that business, putting every penny they had into the renovations of The London Tavern.

Jo from CAMRA presenting a best pub certificate to Carl and Nancy

During their time at the helm the boozer was crowned Pub of the Year for Thanet by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

The couple decided to retire after Nancy suffered ill health.

The Tiny Dancer Group has The Plough in Homerton which was reopened in 2019 and The Prince Arthur in Hackney which opened in January 2020..

The independent pub group will be working with Hot 4 U who initially launched with pop-ups across London.

On a kickstarter that ran this year and was promoted by former Eastenders actor Shaun Williamson (character Barry Evans) it says: “We (Emma & Merce) are just two individuals who believe in being a positive change in hospitality, we are fortunate enough to work with some of the loveliest people in the business, long may that last!

“The London Tavern, Margate is the newest member of our family. If you know it, you’ll need no introduction. If you don’t, welcome! Our new little boozer is the perfect example of what we love in pubs. A community pub, a local, family-friendly and stunning looking to boot.

“We are following in big footsteps from Nancy and Carl who have lovingly cared for The London Tavern for the last 6 years.

“The London Tavern is a perfect little pub as it is, but we’ve got some big plans to make it even better.”

London Tavern (pre-covid)

“Our plans for The London Tavern centre around a solid rotation of beers, ales, and some pretty exciting food. The atmosphere is welcoming, fire on when it’s chilly, BBQs when it’s roasting, stools at the bar, pre and post-theatre drinks, Sunday roasts, everyone welcome.

“Our saloon bar doubles up as an event space, perfect for private hire, as does our dining room that leads onto the terrace. Whatever the occasion, a 200 person wedding or a quiet pint, we want to be the place you think of first. A pub is nothing without its punters.”

The London Tavern is expected to reopen on January 28.

7 Comments

  1. Good luck, no London prices tho this is Thanet with Thanet wages. Real ale is £3.50 at the micros… affordable

  2. “Ales of the unexpected” is in Westbrook, at 105 Canterbury Road, between the “Happy Plaice” fish and chip shop and the “Westbrook Café”.

  3. At last. A local alternative to the ghastly Mulberry Tree with its fake south London vibes and awful staff. Hip hip hooray!

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