The freehold for the Elephant & Castle pub in Ramsgate is being sold.
Leisure property specialists, Fleurets, have been appointed by Thanet-based Thorley Taverns, to sell the freehold with a guide price of £375,000.
The Grade II listed pub in Hereson Road dates back to the mid-19th century.
TV sports, darts, pool and regular live entertainment contribute to its reputation as one of the friendliest hostelries in the town.
One of its previous, longstanding landlord couples was Len and Pat Corby, who were at the helm for 15 years. Pat once donned an elephant outfit to go on pitch for a football cup final game.
At the end of the 90s, Pat and Len decided to branch out from the pub trade and fulfil Pat’s dream of being at the helm of an old-fashioned tea rooms, eventually opening Corby’s Tea Rooms. Sadly Pat passed away in 2023.
The pub has games and seating areas, with a decked enclosed external seating area at the rear overlooking Boundary Park and private living accommodation..
It is currently run by Paula Shepherd, partner Mick and their team and is a popular spot for live music.
Simon Bland, Senior Associate at Fleurets, saidd: “The Elephant & Castle is clearly a well- regarded pub and has benefitted from long term investment and proper management as part of Thorley Taverns’ estate. In my view this could be the ideal opportunity for a hands-on owner wanting a profitable, wet lead operation, especially as Ramsgate’s popularity continues to rise year on year.”
Thorley Taverns
Thorley Taverns began in 1971 when Frank Thorley bought his first pub, The Angel, in the City of London. Frank then bought four further pubs in London before purchasing his first outlet in Thanet in 1975, The Charles Dickens, Broadstairs.
The move outside the City was spurred on by the Thorley family’s regular holidays to Thanet, resulting in Frank’s love of the area and his permanent move to Broadstairs in 1977. Thorley Taverns continued to grow throughout the 80s and 90s – with venues including the legendary Franks nightclub in Cliftonville- with the business successfully operating its London and coastal sites from their Broadstairs base. Thorley Taverns sold their last London pub, The Aldgate Exchange, in late 2013.
The business currently has 18 venues across Thanet and Sandwich. Frank also sadly passed away in 2023.
For further information and to arrange a viewing, contact Fleurets on 020 7280 4700 or email [email protected].
No mention of the current landlady Linda and her partner Mick who are lovely people and have done a cracking job of keeping pub life alive in difficult times for the industry..
Poor journalism.
Do you know their surname please and I can pop them in?
I was a regular there for some years, until Covid struck, now my pub drinking days are over due to age and infirmity! Is the pub being sold with sitting tenants? Or has Paula Shepherd found another bub eleswhere, I think we should be told!