Above picture showing the inside circa 1910.
Below article from gofolkestone.org.uk
The Leas Club was first opened as a teahouse called the Leas Pavilion
in 1902. The idea for a tearoom came from Mr Frederick Ralph, and it was
designed by a local architect, Mr Reginald Pope. It was planned to be
built on ground lying between two hotels on the east of the Leas. Both
these hotels had long leases from Lord Radnor, which included an
‘ancient lights’ clause which meant that no building could be
constructed which would prevent light reaching their windows. As a
result the building was constructed with only one storey visible above
the ground with a flat roof, but it had a full height basement which was
excavated on three sides.
The teahouse was fully licensed and charged high prices. A covenant
in the lease required that the lessees would ‘use the room for the
highest class tea and refreshment trade with the view to securing the
best class of visitors only’. Concert parties subsequently proved very
popular with an orchestra and vocalists. When war broke out it was at
the Leas Pavilion that farewell concerts were held for the troops, who
would march straight down the Road of Remembrance onto the ships waiting
to take them to France.
In 1928 a stage was built at the far end of the hall and the theatre
opened for plays and tea matinees. It flourished as a repertory theatre
called the Leas Pavilion Theatre for 57 years until September 1985. It
reopened as the Leas Club in March 1986, and has subsequently been run
as a venue for live music and as a public house and café.
Members of the Go Folkestone Buildings and Environment Group hoped
that with such a fascinating history and as such an important part of
Folkestone’s heritage, it was of sufficient architectural and historic
interest to justify applying for listing. The Secretary of State, after
consulting with English Heritage, has decided it merited statutory
listing at Grade II, and gave the following reasons: It is a rare
example of a purpose built Edwardian high class tearoom, a poignant
evocation of troops departing for France in World War 1 and an early
20th century popular entertainment venue.
The front entrance is of special architectural merit for its high
quality moulded terracotta work, ironwork grilles and attached veranda,
and for its Art Nouveau style stained glass.
The plan form survives intact. The interior with its imperial
staircase, galleried interior and ceiling survives substantially intact
apart from a few alterations to convert it into a theatre in 1928. It is
an important Edwardian seaside building, comparing in interest with the
Leas Cliff Hall and the Pulhamite Caves which are both listed Grade I.
Few examples of tearooms survive from this period because as a
building type they were liable to be regularly refurbished. So next time
you are passing, go and have a look. A little bit of history – intact.
Judith Deane
Member Go Folkestone Building and Environment Group
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