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From the East Kent Times 26th July 1961.
OPENING OF THE CHARLES DICKENS PUB.
IN keeping, by virtue of its name, with the Victorian era of which
Broadstairs is so proud, the new Charles Dickens public-house
overlooking the little resort’s picturesque Viking Bay has the added
advantage of all modern amenities.
This was nearly “the-pub-that-never-was.” A long, hard struggle,
stretching over two years, had to be waged before a licence was
granted, but the day after the green light was given, in swarmed the
workmen to begin work.
Owner of the Charles Dickens public-house, in Victoria - parade, is
Mr. Eric H. Chambers, who also owns the popular Gourmet Club and the
Gourmet Restaurant. which arc housed in the same building as the
Charles Dickens.
He talked enthusiastically about his new venture, and as he talked,
his eyes roamed proudly round the plush, comfortable fittings and
decorations, all of which combine to make the Charles Dickens a
really outstanding public-house.
Own design.
The whole lay-out was designed by Mr. Chambers himself and he has
spared no expense to create a fine house. He reckoned the cost to be
in the region of £6,000, but considers every penny well spent.
When asked why he decided to create the Charles Dickens. Mr.
Chambers said he was a person who liked to construct something.
He took the place over with the idea of giving Broadstairs something
which they did not have.
In this he has succeeded, for the house has many unique features. It
has, for instance, a hoist built behind the bar in the saloon which
will convey fresh stocks straight from the spacious cellar. It has
electric tills, an ice machine, three refrigerated trays and Redietune — a type of never-ending tape which conveys discreet music
through speakers.
There are three bars — Pickwick (the public bar). Nickleby
(saloon)
and the other which it is provisionally proposed to call Viking.
The Nickleby has red wall seating and an equally luxurious carpet.
On the walls are light brackets, but there is plenty of window space
to give the place lightness and airiness.
The ceiling is of teak wood and the front of the bar has been
painted in attractive colours. In the ceiling is a hollow, in which
a space scene is depicted. Above
the bar is a Victorian stage coach scene and both have been
excellently painted by a Broadstalrs resident. Mr. O. Rumbold.
The third bar is really part of the public bar. but it has been
raised and surrounded by an artistic fencing which gives a
delightful appearance. In the public bar. Dickens' characters will
be brought to life by the installation on the walls of paintings of
several of his well-known characters.
Room for top coats.
Patrons will no longer have to drape their wet mackintoshes and
overcoats on seats, for a room where these garments can be hung has
thoughtfully been built in between the private and public bars.
Under the building are now three cellars, each serving one of the
sections upstairs. Each cellar is roomy and stock can be kept in
perfect condition.
The cellar serving the Charles Dickens—which, incidentally is to be
a free house—is very large but Mr. Chambers explained that a
difficult task was undertaken when the opening for new stock to come
in from the street was made. Thick chalk barred the way and only the
use of pneumatic drills cut a way clear.
For those who like to watch television whilst supping a pint there
is a disappointment, for a set has not been installed.
Three members of the staff seen in a general view of the main
bar. Around the walls are paintings of many famous Dickens'
characters.
“I don’t believe in television in public - houses.” explained Mr.
Chambers. However, there is a set in the adjoining Gourmet Club.
Mr. Chambers has, at present, a staff of five women and three men,
who will divide their time between the public-house, the club and
the restaurant.
The entire building was once known as the Assembly Rooms of
Broadstairs. The part now occupied by the public-house was at one
time Anderson's Cafe. Mr. Chambers bought the premises in 1956 and
soon created the Gourmet Club and restaurant and three
self-contained flatlets on the top floor.
He believes that his building is unique for it holds three different
licences under its roof — one for the Charles Dickens, another for
the Gourmet Club and a third for the restaurant.
Mr. Chambers went to school in Broadstairs and later moved to a
public school in Cambridge. He went to Canada and later America,
where, in 1921, he became a citizen of the U.S.A. He regained his
British nationality in 1938.
Main builders have been Wolfe and Latham Ltd. of London.
Many people have already had a quick ‘look through the windows” at
the Charles Dlckens with their Interest and curiosity aroused, but
the official opening Is to be on Friday, 28th July, at 6.30 p.m.
There to perform the ceremony will be the TV personality Jack Edwardes of Jim's Inn fame.
Valuable assistance has been rendered by Messrs. C. S. Darby and
Sons Ltd.. of Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
Messrs. Bar Equipment and Refrigeration Co. Ltd. of Old Roller Mill.
South Darentii, near Dartford, Kent, specialists to the brewery
trade, were responsible for the bottle cooling and ice making
equipment installed at The Charles Dickens.
The neon strip lighting was supplied by Messrs Rent-Your-Signs Ltd..
of 314 Ladbroke-grove. London. W.10.
Messrs. Contemporary Signs (Ramsgate) Ltd. of High-street.
Minster, supplied the title sign of the new house. Electrical
installations were by Messrs. F. J. Malpress Ltd.. of 4R-50
Albion-street. Broadstairs.
Messrs. K A. Page and Sons. Ltd. wine and spirit merchants
fit suppliers to the new public-house.
Its original owner licensee, the
entrepreneurial Eric Holland Chambers (1889-1974), who lived at 11
Dickens Road Broadstairs for many years. A WW1 veteran, a
self-taught aviator, builder of aircraft, restoration of marine
craft at Ramsgate, and stalwart of the North Foreland Golf Club, he
certainly tried his hand at many things. By Bob Lee.
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