Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Changes planned next to Kent’s biggest pub
A fish and chip restaurant featuring a roof terrace will open alongside the UK’S largest Wetherspoon if new plans are approved.
Papa’s Hospitality Group wants to revive part of the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate into a “vibrant” eatery - which would include takeaways.
A planning application has been submitted to Thanet District Council to transform a section of the Grade II listed building.
A large part of the building was converted into the UK’S largest Wetherspoon in 2018.
Papa’s is a well-known fish and chips chain in the north of England and is seeking to expand to the south of the country.
The application concerns the use of the ground floor and the roof as a terrace, which is similar to the adjacent Wetherspoon and would continue the tradition of a roof terrace for the building. “Papa’s Hospitality Group’s proposal is to revive the current open interior shell into a vibrant fish and chips restaurant with an ancillary takeaway provision,” the application states.
“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.
“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.” The Ramsgate site is part of the firm’s national programme to deliver new units – a number of which are now open and trading successfully.
Three planning applications have been submitted, including one for the new restaurant and takeaway, one for listed building consent and another for the signage. Bosses say the part of the building has had varied
uses and was last set out as an empty shell for separate retail use.
“The facade of the property will remain unchanged except for the installation of new windows and doors to complete the building,” the application added. “The main objective of the project is the design and delivery of an appropriate means to accommodate the additional activities and functions relating to a new restaurant and takeaway function.”