An electronics store that traded in Margate for some 85 years will be converted to a pub if Thanet council approves the plan.
Henry’s at 52 High Street was first opened in 1932 by Denis ‘Henry’ Poupard, who was an electrical engineer. During the war he worked on the then secret RADAR technology.
After the war he concentrated on electrical retail in Thanet and his son Julian became a business partner in the 1960s, adding the photographic services to the store. He also branched out with shops in Cliftonville, Birchington and Broadstairs.
The shop, which was the first in Thanet to sell TVs, closed in October 2017 as Julian was then approaching his 81st birthday.
Now an application has been made to use the premises as a pub, retaining the Henrys name.
The application from Colin Barber says: “Henry’s at number 52 is a building many people that were born or have lived in Thanet for a number of years will remember, hence wanting to continue trading under ‘Henry’s’ as well as wanting to honour Henry’s name for his inventions and skill as an engineer during the war years.”
The front entrance of the building has largely remained the same throughout its history with a double fronted glass display and double doors, although a large fire in 1992 meant the front was rebuilt.
Mr Barber says there is no proposed change to the front entrance apart from the repainting which will be in keeping with the adjacent buildings. T
He adds: “The double doors provide excellent access and an accessible toilet is proposed for the ground floor.”
There are plans to change the window at the rear of the building from uvpc to aluminium and to extend the height so as to increase the light into the building and add a Juliette balcony.
Mr Barber added: “The building, Henry’s, has been closed for over seven-years and we are keen to give it a new lease of life as an old-fashioned pub with a great view of the sunset.”
A decision on the application has not yet been made.
I’m really pleased to see an old-fashioned pub setting up in Henry’s, and keeping the name is a nice touch. Hopefully a few bits of memorabilia from tge old Henry’s will sit pride of place when it opens.
I can contribute a few dodgy photos, made via film, paper and chemicals all bought from there!
Will they put in an apostrophe?
I suppose it depends if they use upper case or lower
My gran bought me a reel to reel tape recorder there. I still have it. Out of reach of my grandchildren…