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From the
https://theisleofthanetnews.com 28 November, 2019.
New life for historic Margate pub as George and Heart gets set for opening.
Kate and Dan (plus Granny the dog and Pants the cat) will be welcoming
punters to the "George and Heart."
The former "George Hotel" in Margate’s King Street will return back to its
historic roots when it reopens next month as the "George and Heart" pub
and hotel.
The 18th century property, last operational as The Ambrette restaurant,
has been taken on by couple Kelly Love and Dan Williams who are
returning it to pub and hotel use.
The couple were enticed from London to Margate almost two years ago by
friend Carey Mann – of Mala Kaffe on the Stone Pier – who asked them to
take on the Tiki Bar at the Sun Deck.
Initially making the commute every weekend, the experience prompted an
unexpected change of plans for the future.
Former events organiser and DJ/talent agency owner Kelly, 40, said: “We
ran the Tiki Bar with our Locked Inn brand and fell in love with
Margate. But it was a seasonal business and quite sad to see everyone
out of a job when it ended so we decided to look for somewhere permanent
in Margate.
"Then we found this beautiful building. It needed a lot of work,
there was so much plasterboard!"
Kelly and Dan received the keys on July 5 and started work in August
after their final run at the Tiki Bar.
Kelly said: “The biggest job has been clearing the building and going
through planning as some works are structural.”
The former coaching inn, thought to be one of Margate’s oldest pubs,
dates from the 1700 with George Bloxham as its first listed licensee.
It was owned by Symond’s Brewery of Ramsgate but they sold the business
and pub to Francis Cobb and Son in 1833.
In June 1943 the King Street part of the pub was destroyed when a bomb
that hit Holy Trinity Church. Some of the original Cobb’s Ale leaded
windows survived the destruction.
The building suffered further damage in the 1953 Storm when it was
flooded with up to 5ft of water and again in 2006 following an arson
attack.
During renovation works Kelly and Dan have uncovered some treasures and
a number of wonderful fireplaces.
Kelly said: “We found some beautiful hand-painted wallpaper which we
think is from the 50s. There were also lots of old newspapers, from
1922-1950, stuffed behind the walls! We couldn’t save all of it but have
framed a huge piece of it.
“We want to bring back as much of the old features as possible mixed
with some Art Deco. We had an amazing local trader who has worked on
bringing back the brick walls and we wanted to bring back some of the
charm so have a nook area.
“We want the community to feel welcome and come in for a pint rather
than making people feel pushed out with a trendy bar area.”
Kelly and DJ/music producer Dan, 44, are hoping to start refurbishing
the eight hotel rooms in the new year – although they already have at
least one unforeseen guest.
Kelly said: “We are told there are hauntings, a cat jumps on people’s
beds but they can’t find it when they wake up and there is a woman
called Elizabeth who died in the war.”
The couple, who have previously run pubs and restaurants, will hold a
launch party at the "George and Heart" on Friday, December 6 from 6pm.
On December 12 they will hold a preview for the first art exhibition Got
to TURNER round – A celebration of art, music and nightlife which will
feature guests including Ed Warren and Babe Studio.
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