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14 Bench Street
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Photo above and below by Paul Skelton 31 December 2007.
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From the Dover Express, 1 June 2006. Report by Adam Scillitoe.
Funky Monkey enter pub jungle.
 THE owner of a new bar in Dover believes it will finally give residents
'everything they could ever wish for' in a pub. Funky Monkey, in Bench
Street, opens tomorrow and promises a modem design with great music and
live football.
Owner Nathan Sutton, said he felt Dover's pubs and bars were missing
something.
The 28-year-old said:
"There are a few bars in the town but there are not really enough. We
feel that Funky Monkey will make the town thrive even more.
"We were
throwing a few names around and Funky
Monkey was just one that stuck. It's such a great name and people are
certain to remember it!
"We are really looking forward to it and it's
going to be a great challenge. I've been managing bars and pubs now for
nearly nine years so I've got a fair bit of experience.
"It should be
quite a relaxed pub and is mainly aimed at the 18 to 35 age group.
"It
will give residents a different option on their night out."
Mr Sutton,
who was born and raised in Dover, said they had a few interesting
gimmicks up their sleeve.
He said: "As well as showing all the World
Cup games, we will also be having a BAR footsie night on Friday, June 9.
"It should be quite intriguing and the prices will be like the stock
market. The prices will go up and down depending on how well the drinks
sell.
"We'll also be doing cocktail nights where you can buy two
cocktails from our menu for only £4."
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From the website
www.thisiskent.co.uk. Thursday,
May 14, 2009.
DOVER KNIFE ATTACKER JAILED FOR LIFE.
A THUG who launched a vicious knife attack on a Dover dad-of-one has
been jailed for life.
Evil William Wilson, 28, of St Leonards-on-Sea, stabbed 24-year-old
Mike Brankley 20 times leaving him with a 17cm slash from his hairline
to his top lip and a punctured bowel.
The attack, at 2am on July 30 last year, came after Wilson had met
dump-truck driver Mr Brankley and his friends for the first time in the
Funky Munky pub and joined them for a few drinks.
The group left the Bench Street bar and walked towards London Road
where they began to separate.
Wilson, Mr Brankley and two others were waiting for a taxi when an
argument broke out between the two men.
Punches were thrown and Wilson repeatedly stabbed Mr Brankley,
leaving him with multiple wounds.
Wilson ran off towards the town centre as the two friends tried help
their friend. Together with Port of Dover police officers, who were in
the area at the time, they stemmed the blood flow before Mr Brankley was
taken to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford.
The 24-year-old underwent a six-and-a-half hour lifesaving operation
on his horrendous injuries. Speaking exclusively to the Express in the
days after the attack Mr Brankley's father Michael said: "When the
police came here in the morning they told us to prepare ourselves
because it was not a pretty sight.
"Half his face was hanging off – it was like a horror movie. It was
devastating.
"It has ripped us apart, it is just devastating to see him lying
there. Even though he is on the mend, it is upsetting for us all."
Kent Police tried to track down Wilson by visiting Scotland and other
parts of the country. He was finally brought to justice when three
months later they received an anonymous tip off telling police where he
was.
Vile Wilson was found guilty of attempted murder at Maidstone Crown
Court today.
He was given an indeterminate life sentence with the recommendation
he serve a minimum of six and half years before being considered for
parole. He will be on license for a minimum of 10 years.
Presiding Judge Jeremy Carey branded Wilson a dangerous offender with
a sinister character and a fixation for knives.
Detective Chief Inspector Mick Atkinson, of Kent Police's Major Crime
unit, said: "William Wilson embarked on his night out last summer
carrying a knife, clearly with the intent that should something happen
he would cause harm or serious injury.
"His actions have left a young man scarred for life.
"Mr Brankley has faced numerous operations and long-term treatment
for the injuries he sustained that night, and his life will never be the
same again.
"Kent Police will not tolerate anyone who carries knives into our
community and what this case clearly shows is that we will robustly
track down any offenders and bring them before the courts."
Mr Brankley, now 25, said: "I can't turn back the clock, but in many
respects I feel extremely lucky. I could have lost the sight in my left
eye if it wasn't for the quick thinking of my friends and the excellent
medical treatment I received.
"I could also have lost my life.
"I have great family support and a beautiful daughter, and I hope
from this point that my life can continue to get back on track."
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From the Dover Express, 8 August, 2009.
Tapping into real ale.
Bar hopes to broaden appeal with cask beer
Report by Rhys Griffiths
A LANDLORD in Dover is turning to real ale in a bid to broaden the
appeal of his town centre venue.
Nathan Sutton, who runs the Funky Monkey bar in Bench Street, hopes by adding
the cask beer to his drinks selection the pub can attract a different
type of drinker.
He is not the only publican who is adding the traditional brew to his
repertoire.
According to the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) four other pubs in the
district have also started stocking the drink in the last three months.
To mark the addition of Greene King IPA to the bar, Nathan is staging
a contest where drinkers can win themselves a gallon of ale every week
for the next two months.
Each time a pint of beer is purchased the customer gets a raffle
ticket, and a draw will be held to decide the victor, although Nathan
has pointed out the winner does not have to down the eight pints in one
sitting.
The 31-year-old said: "We opened about three years ago and last
summer started opening in the day time, now we have enough volume to do
real ale and make it more of a real pub.
"I think the demand is there. A lot of people just stick to what they
know, but hopefully this will encourage people to try it for the first
time."
Nathan is hoping to develop the bar further and encourage a more
diverse crowd, and he has applied to have tables outside on the
pavement.
Camra has pointed to reports which show real ale is outperforming
other types of beer, so it is no surprise pubs across the district are
deciding to get the drink on tap.
Tony Wells, pubs officer for the local branch of Camra, said: "The
Funky Monkey is not a pub that most people would consider as a real ale
venue, but Nathan has changed all that.
"The chrome hand pump may not be to everyone's liking, but it would
not look out of place in trendy wine bars and nightclubs, where
traditional hand pumps may look somewhat dated. It will also appeal to
the younger drinker who is used to tall, chrome beer fonts adorning the
bar."
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From the Dover Mercury, 9 June, 2009.
Safety first as bar area restricted
LICENSEES of a Dover bar are considering whether to appeal against a
decision to restrict the area available for customers for safety
reasons.
The reduction, at the Funky Monkey Bar in Bench Street, was imposed
at a Licensing Review brought by Kent Fire and Rescue following an
inspection of the premises.
The bar owners had constructed a large wooden structure over an
outside terrace without permission.
Kent Fire and Rescue told the licensing committee that in the event
of a fire in this area there was a likelihood of significant injury or
loss of life.
For that reason the premises licence was reduced so that the terrace
area is no longer covered by the licence.
District council licensing manager Tony Bartlett said: "In these
difficult economic times, Dover District Council is working to support
local businesses and we understand that businesses will try different
means to increase income.
"However, our primary concern has to be the safety of the public and
we would encourage businesses to talk us as at the earliest opportunity
for appropriate advice before carrying out works like this."
The owners have 21 days from June 30 to appeal against the decision.
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From the Dover Express, 19 November, 2009. Report by
Yamural Zendera
The Funky Monkey bar, in Bench Street, was granted permission by the
regulatory committee to have six chairs and three tables outside, but
only up to 7pm. The business had applied for seven tables and 18 chairs.
Dover Town Council objected to the application on the grounds it
would create an obstruction while Dover District Safety Unit said it
would restrict the room of pedestrians, causing heightened fears of
crime as they walk through the customers from the premises.
DDSU said the application could also lead to drinkers dropping items
onto the public using the subway.
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From the Dover Express, 25 February, 2010.
TWO CHARGED IN BAR ATTACK.
TWO men have been charged by police after doormen were attacked at a bar
in Dover last year.
The bouncers were assaulted at the "Funky Monkey" in
Bench Street on December 17.
Stephen Philip Dyer, 26, of Monins Road,
Dover, and Luke Matthew Smissen, 20, of Ewell Minnis, were charged with
two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
They were released
on bail to answer before Folkestone Magistrates on March 3.
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday 18 November, 2010.
WITNESSES SOUGHT AFTER BAR ASSAULT
POLICE are appealing for information and witnesses after what they
describe as an unprovoked assault at the "Funky Monkey" bar in Bench
Street, Dover.
It happened just after midnight, early on Sunday, November 7, in the
public smoking area, when a 27-year-old man was assaulted by another man
with a glass bottle which caused a cut lip and swelling to his jaw and
cheek bone.
He was taken to hospital and needed stitches for the injuries.
• Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact PC Lucy
Hazelden on 01304 218181 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
PUB STAFF ABUSE
A MAN who was swearing and being violent towards staff at a pub in
Bench Street, Dover, has been issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice.
The 25-year-old was arrested for being drunk and disorderly early on
Sunday and kept in custody at Dover Police Station for more than eight
hours.
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From the Dover Mercury, 12 May, 2011.
70p
FUNKY PUB PLANS TO BE NAUGHTY
Go-ahead for lap dancing nights
By Graham Tutthill
THE owner of a Dover pub intends to stage adult entertainment,
including naughty nights, after being given the go-ahead to stay open
longer.
Nathan Sutton, who runs the "Funky Monkey" in Bench Street, says
he wants his customers to enjoy a better night out.
The district council
has
given Mr Sutton permission to
keep his pub open until 3.30am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights,
3am on Sundays and 2am on all other days.
The licence allows him to nest adult entertainment nights, including lap
dancing and pole dancing, up to 11 times a year.
Battle
After a long battle we have now secured the latest licence in town,"
said Mr Sutton.
"This will allow our customers to enjoy a better night
out in Dover.
"Further information on our plans for naughty Monkey
nights will follow."
A spokesman for the district council said there had been no valid
objections to the "Funky Monkey" application to vary the premises licence.
"We can confirm that the "Funky Monkey" applied for a variation of their
premises licence and in the absence of any valid representations we are
required to issue the licence."
He also confirmed that by law the pub is allowed to have
relevant entertainment, which includes lap dancing and pole dancing, up
to 11 times a year without the need for a licence provided there is a
month between each event.
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From the Dover Mercury, 7 April, 2011. 70p
MIXED VIEWS ON PUB'S NAUGHTY NIGHTS PLAN
PLANS by a Dover pub to introduce lap dancing, pole dancing and
"naughty nights" has brought a mixed response from people.
The proposal, at the "Funky Monkey" in Bench Street, was revealed in
the Mercury last week after licensee Nathan Sutton was given the
go-ahead to stay open until 3.30am at weekends and to stage adult
entertainment up to 11 times a year.
Some people commenting on the story on the Mercury webpage (www.eastkentmercury.co.uk)
welcomed the plans, while others were not so sure.
Joey Woods wrote: "I think it will be really good for the community
of Dover." Someone else, using a pseudonym, said: "That's right Joey.
Nothing brings the people of Dover together better than lap and pole
dancing."
Ted thought staying open longer would bring the area down "lower than
it already is"; while Jumbo thought some of the customers wives at the
pub might like to become involved in the dancing.
John wrote that Gary Glitter had been seen at the pub. "I believe he
was spotted having a drink there last year," he said.
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Formerly "Jays Wine Bar".
LICENSEE LIST
SUTTON Nathan 2006-12+
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