DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, March, 2021.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 31 March, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1979-

(Name from)

Snoops

Latest June 2009-

Castle Street

Dover

Snoops

Above photo kindly supplied by Paul Wells.

Snoops nightclub

One time Granada and ABC picture house. This was converted into "Images" nightclub and later "Snoops". Now owned by Wetherspoons who seem to be making many promises of redevelopment and changing into a "Lloyds Number 1" and more recently the "Dolphin", but to date (June 2009) nothing seems to have happened.

From the Dover Mercury, 17 July, 2003.

Pub plans shelved

THE former nightclub in Castle Street is not now expected to open as a Wetherspoon's pub.

The company had drawn up plans and made a licensing application to turn the former Snoops nightclub into a traditional ale, wine and food house with tea garden.

It was to have been known as "Lloyds Number One," and the plans included demolishing part of the rear of the building to form a beer garden.

The building used to be called "Images" and before that was the ABC cinema.

Some work has taken place at the building in recent weeks, but that has now stopped.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said that "enabling work" had been carried out, but he was unable to comment on the future plans for the building.

However, the Mercury understands that the company is likely to sell it on to another operator.

 

From the Dover Express, 14 September, 2006. Exclusive report by Laura Smith

Derelict eyesore to get £1.5m makeover

SNOOPS REVIVED BY PUB CHAIN'S U-TURN

 

Snoops

A DERELICT Dover nightclub is set for a multi-million pound makeover after an extraordinary U-turn by its owner, a national pub chain.

JD Wetherspoons bought Snoops in Castle Street in early 2003, with the aim of refurbishing the building. But in February 2005, with no sign of work starting, the company revealed its plans had collapsed and put the site up for sale.

Now, in a further twist, the for sale board has been removed from Snoops, and London-based firm Tuffin, Ferraby and Taylor have been appointed by Wetherspoons as architects and project managers for its redevelopment.

Subject to planning consent, it is hoped work will begin next summer, with the venue opening in early 2008.

The project is expected to cost £1.5 million with the potential to create more than 50 jobs when finished. A spokesman for Wetherspoons told the Express there was "no one reason" for the turnabout.

He said: "You are right, We changed our minds on it.

"From our point of view it is a well known site and Wetherspoons will always take another look at things."

The chain had attracted criticism over its upkeep of the building, which operated as a cinema, owned by Granada and later ABC, until 1982.

Dover District Council threatened enforcement action after members called e site an "abominable eyesore" and raised concerns about the poor condition of its structure.

Previously, a section of the venue's foyer had collapsed, sending debris crashing onto the pavement.

Castle ward's Cllr Nigel Collor toured the building with Wetherspoons representatives earlier this year.

He said: "In its day it was a splendid building and now is just a shell of its former glory. It wants a lot of money spent on it and I would be interested to see the plans."

Dover already has one Wetherspoons outlet, in Cannon Street.

It is believed the new venue could be used as a "Lloyds bar" which, in contrast to the pub, would have music.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

 

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