A Ramsgate pub which was sold in 2018 with plans to convert it into two homes, with a third on the garage site, has been saved and will reopen on Friday (January 21).
The former Foresters Arms in Boundary Road has been unused since 2018 and plans for the residential conversion faltered.
Now, it will reopen as 50’s themed Fury’s Bar after being bought by Ramsgate couple Linda Goldsmith and Steve Fury last year.
The couple have completely renovated the site to create a fabulous 1950’s themed interior, complete with vintage jukebox.
Linda owned a Ramsgate care home for 23 years before retiring but says boredom prompted her to try a new venture.
The nan-of-14 and great-nan-of-9 said: “I got bored so in 2018 I went after a pub with Punch Pubs and got through to the last bit but was turned down. So, I thought I would buy my own pub.
“My friend who took over the Hare & Hounds said what about the Foresters so we arranged to have a look.”
Former driver and dad-of-five Steve and Linda say they could see the potential of the Foresters building and completed on the purchase last March. A few months later they bought the property next door giving even more capacity for a beer garden.
Linda said: “We took the pub right back to its bare walls, we raised the floor so it is all now on one level, made the bar smaller and we have done the toilets so there is now a dedicated disabled toilet.
“We lowered the ceiling and put lights in. The building has been sound-proofed and we are ready to go.
“It was really run down and dingy and it has taken us some time, we even looked at other pubs but could not see any potential to change them.
“I had a vision of what I wanted in my head. It is all 50s themed, 50s furniture, 50s design tables and chairs. Our staff will wear 50’s clothes. We are not like a traditional pub.”
A planning application has been submitted so Linda and Steve can get a new pub sign installed.
Fury’s Bar, which has also created seven staff jobs, will have live music at the weekends, poker nights, afternoon teas for the over 60s, bingo, a slimming club, dominoes, pool and darts and quiz nights.
Linda said: “It is also child-friendly, we have a sweet machine and soft darts board which my grandchildren have been playing on non-stop!
“We have stopped the pub being turned into houses and now we are ready and waiting to meet lots of people. We hope they will like us and come back.”
Fury’s Bar will open on Friday at midday and there will be meat raffles throughout the day and the weekend. There will also be live music on the Friday and Saturday.
Good luck guys.
It takes brave people to take on a pub these days.
Love your ideas and the theme.
Will definately be popping in.
Will it have ‘50’s bar prices?
My first pint cost 1/6p I remember, about 8p
Good luck to you both !! Xx
I have already made my mind up to come and have a beer once you open and my mum and dad will love the rock and roll theme
WILL BE THERE 🙂 ALSO IN A LOCAL 50’S DOO WOP N JIVE BAND – THE JIVE GUYS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
I had my first pint in a pub in 1957, and I don’t remember one looking like this, but jolly well done, will pop in Friday afternoon, as I only live round the corner from you. I suppose I will have to dust off my Teddy Boy suit, and Blue Suede shoes, but don’t seem to be able to find my luminous socks! Be careful of putting Bill Haley music on though, remember what happened to all those cinema seats, Lonny Donegan’s Skiffle should be OK though!
The Rose Of England probably looks the same inside as it did in the 50s!
Well done and glad to see it has a disabled loo!
NO NO NO Ruth the toilet is not disabled
Very droll!
Ruth is a Wetherspoons girl anyway!
Any real ale?
Legs hope so!
Done a superb job and look forward to visiting. Will it serve grub?
Not according to the article
Looking forward to going to this bar , it looks excellent and something a bit different , good luck with it .
Lovely to hear, hope you do well.