32-36 Queen Street

Deal

Above photograph of the Academy kindly taken by Patricia Streater, 13 December 2009. Above photo showing the main entrance to the "Academy" which also doubles as the entrance to the nightclub called the "Rivals." Kindly supplied by Patricia Streater. Again both photos by Patricia Streater and showing one side of the sign indicating the "Academy Fun Pub" and the other the "Rivals" nightclub.

At one time used to be called "Alby's Velvet Underground" and also "The Tube" but changed name to the "Academy" sports bar in August 2003.

Inside the building was housed the "Academy," "Rivals nightclub" and also the old picture-house and the company FS Leisure operated all three. Unfortunately the cinema part of the building hasn't been in use since its closure.

January 2005 saw new licensee Paul White take over the premises, and in the March the same year closed down the bar for a week for changes to be made. He installed the big window in the front of the building, re-painted and re-coloured the inside and changed the furniture and re-launched as the "Academy fun pub." Sports were still shown, but the main brand of the pub was a fun pub/theme pub, hosting nights such as coyote ugly theme night, 60's, 70's and 80's nights, beach party's etc.

Advert from the East Kent Mercury 14 July 2005

LICENSEE LIST

FAULKNER Gary Aug/2003-Dec/04

WHITE Paul Jan-2005-Dec/05

RUTTER Steve Jan/2006-08