Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
And for our next trick… shop could be a magic bar
Customers would be able to have a drink while watching magicians
It once sold humbugs and gobstoppers but now a historic city shop is set to wow customers with...magic.
The former Benji’s sweet shop is set to do a disappearing act to turn into a new bar specialising in illusion and sleight of hand in Canterbury.
Promising to add to the arts and theatre culture, the “magic bar” has tabled plans to open at 6 St Peters Street, former home to the city’s oldest confectionery.
If given a premises licence to sell alcohol as well as other permissions from the city council, the bar will offer customers the chance to enjoy their drinks while professional magicians perform.
A normal evening at a magic bar, according to the Magic Circle’s website, will see customers “ordering a drink while being regaled with card tricks, before sitting down to a night of illusion and magic by professional magicians.”
The applicant, Sam Watson, already runs Houdini’s Magic Bar in Broadstairs, and has said he wishes to replicate its success in Canterbury.
“The concept of the magic bar is unique and has attracted lots to tourism to Broadstairs in the time we have been open,” he said.
“We will provide live magic entertainment to our customers on a small scale while people enjoy a sophisticated beverage.”
In order to appease residents who live nearby, the bar would close at 11pm every night, with Mr Watson stressing it would not give rise to the issues normally associated with a drinking establishment.
Mr Watson said: “We are not aiming to open a late-night drinking establishment and our concept is unique.
“We do not play loud music and our music is used for background purposes only.
“Our current clientele in Broad- stairs is 25 -50 years of age.”
Five jobs are expected to be created if the move goes ahead.
The premises have remained empty since last summer when Benji’s, Canterbury’s oldest sweet shop, closed for the final time.