A fish and chip restaurant with roof top terrace and a takeaway is proposed for the vacant section of the Royal Victoria Pavilion site on Ramsgate seafront.
Papas Hospitality Group aims to take over the shell to create a new outlet at the Grade II listed building alongside the Wetherspoon pub.
Planning documents from the Papas group say: “The intention is to complete the external treatment initiated by the Wetherspoon team in replacement of external doors and windows to match those in place in the building.
“There are three different levels within this part of the building. Both stepped and ramped approaches will be utilised to provide an safe and easy movement.
“The building has had a long history with its terrace used by the general public for viewing the sea, dining and general recreation. Part of this development plan is to create a new access onto the roof area to fully utilise the terrace space.”
Papas is a well-known fish and chips chain in the north of England and is seeking to develop in the south of the country.
This site is part of a national programme in delivering new units, a number of which are now open and trading successfully.
The façade of the property will remain unchanged except for the installation of new windows and doors to ‘complete the building’
Wetherspoon opened its pub at the site in August 2017 after a £5million restoration project. It had formerly housed a casino and had been nightspots including Peggy Sue’s.
Prior to the Wetherspoon renovation the building had languished empty and neglected since 2008 when Rank Leisure casino moved to Westwood Cross. In 2011 serious damage was caused by a fire and the building was listed on the Victorian Societies’ Building at Risk Register in 2013.
Planning permission for the pub was granted in 2016 and a lease deal with Thanet council came soon afterwards.
Renovation work included a new zinc roof installed on the large main roof, in keeping with the original building, and the reinstatement of the pavilion’s classic dormer oriel windows.
The grade II listed building was carefully restored working to photographs and designs, keeping as close as possible to the original concept, designed by notable architect Stanley Davenport Adshead and originally completed in 1903.
The property was built as a concert hall and assembly rooms, on the site of an old stone yard. It is said to have been built in six weeks. The opening ceremony was performed by HRH Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, on 29 June 1904.
She was greeted at the railway station by large crowds and given a golden key to open the grand Pavilion. It was named in memory of her mother, Queen Victoria, who had spent several summers in Ramsgate as a young princess, a name which continues in the name of the new pub.
The vacant part of the building has been marketed for lease by Savills since the pub opened and at one time an indoor market was suggested.
The Papas restaurant would be opposite the already established Pete’s Fish Factory site.
A decision is yet to be made on the Papas application which can be seen on the Thanet council planning portal, reference L/TH/22/1497
