Fears for future of historic pub
THE STAR of the West, one of the oldest bars in Kimberley and South Africa, has, after nearly 150 years of trading, closed its doors – raising concerns that the pub’s rich history could be lost forever to vandals.
Situated in North Circular Road, the Star of the West is believed to be one of the oldest operating bars in the country and dates from the early 1870s, when it started operating in nothing more than a zinc shack, as Diamond Lil’s Tavern, and catered for the workers on the Kimberley Mine as a hotel/brothel/ bar.
The bar counter and rich wooden fittings, still present inside the building today, were apparently salvaged and brought to the city by sailors who survived the wreck of their ship, the Star of the West, on the West Coast.
Mining magnates like Barney Barnato and Cecil John Rhodes are rumoured to have frequented the bar, known simply as “The Star” to its patrons.
The upstairs rooms, where “Madam” Diamond Lil and her “ladies” used to “entertain” clients, has since been removed during renovations and now features an open-plan area.
The bar, which has survived the city’s tumultuous history over the years as Colesberg Kopje was transformed into the Big Hole, was declared a national monument in 1990.
During its heyday, The Star also hosted a number of South African rock bands and musicians, but its popularity has declined sharply in recent years.
A number of city residents have raised concerns that the “local treasure” and popular tourist attraction might be lost forever, after standing empty for the last three months after it closed unexpectedly.
A visit to the bar recently revealed broken windows and signs of forced entry and vandalism.
“We are concerned that this national monument and ‘must-see’ Kimberley attraction might fast be going down the drain, as vandals and robbers have gained access to the property over a broken wall. The Star houses several antiques and items of historical importance, which will certainly be stolen or damaged if the owners do not urgently address safety issues,” residents working in the area said yesterday.
A portrait of Diamond Lil that hangs inside the building is one of the items residents are concerned about preserving.
Businesses adjacent to The Star have also raised concerns about the broken wall, pointing out that criminals were using it to gain access to their business properties.
“We have had numerous breakins and incidents of theft since The Star closed its doors. While we raised these issues with the owners, nothing has been done since and it is now becoming a huge safety issue for us,” one business owner said.
Star of the West property and business owner, Peet Grobbelaar, yesterday confirmed that safety issues had been raised and he responded by saying that he would be “buying a lock for the broken door” immediately.
Grobbelaar denied that The Star had closed its doors permanently and revealed that a major revamp was being planned. According to Grobbelaar, this will include a new outside lapa, revarnishing of the wooden fixtures and painting of the building.
He could, however, not confirm when the renovations were expected to start or be completed, only saying that the pub’s doors would be closed “for quite some time” as he was still waiting for an investor “to come on board”.
Steve Lunderstedt, a local tour guide, yesterday pointed out that any upgrades or renovations to the building would have to be authorised by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra), as it is a national monument.