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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Hayley Robinson, 27 July 2015.
Wetherspoon opens The Golden Hope pub in Park Road, Sittingbourne.
A new chapter in the life of a historic town centre building began
this week as the former courthouse opened its doors as a Wetherspoon’s
pub.
Magistrates joined borough mayor Cllr Anita Walker at the official
function proclaiming The Golden Hope ready to serve on Tuesday.
The inspiration behind the name is a Thames spritsail sailing barge,
which was built in 1866, and sailed for many years until it was
converted into “a floating home”.
Hundreds of these wooden vessels, with their red-brown sails, were made
in nearby creeks and inlets to transport Kentish bricks, but few have
survived.
In all the pub chain spent £2m revamping the Park Road venue.
It’s wheelchair accessible, has a specially-adapted toilet for people
with disabilities, has one bar and two beer gardens, with smoking
permitted in a designated area.
On the first floor above the boozer, is a “hotel” which boasts just
three bedrooms – one master suite and two double rooms.
Historical photos, details of local history, information relating to
events, historical buildings and characters of the area, as well as
artwork by local artists are on display. It also reflects the buildings
former life as a court house, with the prison cells converted into
private dining areas with distinctive booth seating.
Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “It has been busy since it opened and the
reaction from customers has been excellent.
“They have commented how wonderful the pub looks and the overall
reaction has been very positive.”
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