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19-21 Cannon Street
Dover
01304 205030
http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-eight-bells
https://www.facebook.com
https://whatpub.com/eight-bells
Above showing the "Eight Bells" in 1989 when it was still Milletts.
Kindly supplied by Stuart Kinnon. |
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Above photo 2023. |
Above photo 2023. |
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Formerly the "Metropole Bars"
It has now been bought by J W Wetherspoon and has reopened as the "Eight
Bells".
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From the Dover Express 5 December 1996, by Juliet Dennis.
PUB BID APPROVAL STUNS LANDLORDS.
Local publicans left reeling by decision to grant drinks licence.
A CONTROVERSIAL new watering hole has been given the green light to open
in Dover town centre.
Scores of landlords saw their objections to a new £650,000 pub in
Cannon Street quashed at an all-day hearing for a drinks licence at
Dover Magistrates Court.
Jubilant winner Wetherspoons plans to transform two derelict shops into
a busy all-day pub by April 1997, with projected annual takings of £750,000.
But the decision has stunned local publicans, many of
whom already struggle to stay in business amidst tough competition and
the lure of duty-free bargain booze.
Landlords packed the court room to hear the case and left fearing the
worst.
Jackie Bowles, landlady at the "Louis Armstrong" and chairman of the
Dover Licensed Victuallers' Association, told the Express: "It's going
to take a little bit of business from us all and push us over the top.
Struggling.
"We are already hanging on by the skin of our teeth and struggling to
fend off one bill, after another. My gut feeling is one of sheer
concern about what will happen."
Wetherspoons - who already have a pub in Maidstone and another opening
in Tonbridge Wells - claim they have never put rivals out of business.
Company spokesman
Eddie Gerschon said: "The landlords are saying Dover is not a place
worthy for a Wetherspoons, but that's a decision for the customers to make."
The firm revealed there will be space for 200 punters
to eat and drink, while 20-25
new full, and part-time jobs will be created.
The pub will ban all music, sell beer from 99 pence and serve food all
day. A third of' its space will be non-smoking, there will be disabled
access and cctv security cameras will be installed.
Dover town centre manager Kevin Gubbins gave his seal of approval to the
ambitious scheme after the hearing.
"It's excellent news," he said. "My belief is this will bring new
businesses to the town and demonstrate Dover is a place to invest in."
But he admitted landlords' fears that it may put them out of business
could become a reality.
"In the long run it is possible pubs could shut but that is the way of
the world," he
said.
"If I were a publican I would be relishing the news. This will bring
new people into Dover, it is simply not true there's only a finite
number of customers."
During the licensing hearing. Sgt Pat Gearing warned of potential
dangers and told how a bottle thrown from a window at the Maidstone Wetherspoons pub had narrowly missed a policeman.
She demanded assurances that the owners would work with police and that
customers would be barred from taking bottles outside the premises.
Magistrates' chairman Tim Martin said JPs would listen to any police
advice.
The pub - as yet unnamed - plans all-day opening Monday to
Saturday from 11am-11pm, and from noon-10.30pm on Sundays.
There will be no late licenses, magistrates heard, except on
Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
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From the Dover Mercury 16 April, 1998.
Fifty brews in festival, at £1.39 a pint.
DRINKERS will be spoiled for choice when they order a
beer at Timothy Pilling's pub in Dover.
Mr. Pilling, who runs the "Eight Bells" in Cannon
Street, is staging a beef festival with up to 50 brews from all parts of
the United Kingdom on offer.
The festival runs on four days from Wednesday to Saturday, April 22
to 25, and all beers are priced at £1.39 a pint.
The beers include five specially brewed for the festival and another
called Sundance, which is sold in Wetherspoon pubs.
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From the Dover Mercury 17 May 2007.
Above
Steve Waymark, of The Eight Bells, with the Safer Socialising Award
pd1202044
A DOVER licensee has received a Safer Socialising Award for the
second successive year.
Steve Waymark, of The Eight Bells, is now the only person in Dover to
have the award, after others, presented last year, were not renewed.
Mr Waymark said he was delighted to receive the award, which is one
of a number The Eight Bells has received in the past few weeks, and paid
tribute to his staff for all their work.
Safer Socialising Awards have also been presented to Graham Stiles
for the Channel View guest house and the King's Head in Deal, Linda
Thompson for the New Inn at Sandwich, and Gary and Jane May for the Alma
in Deal.
M P Gwyn Prosser has congratulated the recipients for achieving the
high standards set by the award scheme which is run by the Dover
Partnership Against Crime (DPAC). These were only the second set of
awards to be presented.
Failed
DPAC chairman Graham Tutthill stressed that the awards were not
easily gained.
One pub which had received an award last year had failed
the assessment this year, and an off-licence which was due to receive an
award lost it following an incident.
He thanked the police, fire
service and trading standards for their help with the assessments, and
praised DPAC coordinators Karen Griffiths and Marie Alexander for all
their work with the initiative.
Violence
Mr Prosser said DPAC was leading the way, having been the first
partnership in Kent to receive the Safer Shopping Award, and then
receiving the Safer Business and Safer Socialising awards.
All five
awards were in the gold category, which is the highest that can be
achieved.
The award scheme not only embraces pubs and clubs but hotels,
restaurants, takeaways, taxi firms, cinemas, bingo halls, and off-sales
premises.
It aims to reduce violence, drug abuse, under-age drinking and
anti-social behaviour.
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From the Dover Mercury 7 February, 2002.
Pub rings changes
LIKE THE CLAPPERS: The equipment is presented to the Eight Bells
public house
SOME of the equipment which has been used to ring the bells of St
Mary's Parish Church for the past 100 years will now be used to decorate
a neighbouring property - a pub!
The bells are undergoing a complete renovation and new clappers and
ropes are being made.
The bell-ringers sometimes relaxed in the Eight Bells pub after their
ringing sessions and the suggestion was made that the old clappers and
ropes could be added to the old Dover items which already adorn the pub.
The pub owners, J D Wetherspoon, have made a donation to the bells
appeal fund in return for the items.
On Tuesday the vicar, Rev David Ridley, and members of the
bell-ringing team went to the pub to hand over the eight clappers and
six ropes to the pub's assistant manager, David Jenkins.
"The pub is our close, neighbour, and we always get on well with our
neighbours," said bells appeal secretary Peter Dale. "So when it was
suggested that the clappers and ropes could go to the pub we were very
pleased."
Contractors are due to move into the church on Monday to start work
on the bells which have been stripped and are ready for removal.
It is expected that the work will be completed by August.
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From the Dover Express, 9 August 2007. Report by Rhys Griffiths.
SMOKING BAN - PUBS FEEL THE EFFECTS A MONTH ON.
It has not been all doom and gloom. Some pubs and businesses have promoted themselves as
smoke-free alternatives for people who want to go out to eat.
The Eight
Bells in Cannon Street is one such pub that has embraced the new era.
Duty manager Louise Mack said: "The ban has been good for business and
we have seen food sales go up.
"People used to be put off because the
smoke would hit you when you came in, now we have got more families
coming in."
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From Your Dover, 27 February, 2008.
"Wetherspoon staff hurled abuse
at us"
EVERY week young mother Shelley Martin and her two friends used to
meet up for breakfast in Dover's Eight Bells pub.
But not any more after
they were asked to prove their age or they wouldn't get any food.
Now
the national JD Wetherspoon chain has got egg on its face following
the incident earlier this month.
Shelley 25, and her friends Diane Dixon
and Emma Stow, all from Deal, used to meet up in the town centre pub for
a coffee and breakfast. Diane is five months pregnant.
She said: "'We
have been doing it for years. The staff in there know who we are. We
weren't even buying alcohol. All of a sudden they were asking us if we
were 21. I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted.
"When I
disputed it, I was treated like a teenage delinquent. The manager was no
help because he simply hurled abuse at us as we went out of the door."
Shelley said staff let them sit at a table before telling them they
wouldn't be served.
She said: "You can go into a pub aged 16 and order
food by law. I don't know why all of a sudden we were being discriminated against.
"Wetherspoon
claim they are festering a smiley, family atmosphere. On the evidence of
this they're not."
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said the company
had a Challenge 21 policy.
He said: "The policy is, if you can't prove
you are 21 you will not be served. The ladies may feel aggrieved, but we
would back our staff members."
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From the Dover Mercury, 27 March 2008.
Festival beers with international flavour.
THE increasing cost of beer has been a sore point for many pub goers
after the price hike announced in the Budget.
But for 19 days Dover people will be able to buy an ale for £1.79 at a
festival held at The Eight Bells pub.
Beers from as far afield as Japan and the USA will be on offer along
with award-winning
ales, fruit and wheat beers at the venue on Cannon Street.
The event will run from today (Thursday), until Monday, April 14.
Stephen Waymark, owner of the Eight Bells, said: “The festival will have
an international flavour and will give people the chance to try a superb
selection of beers.
“It promises to be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to welcoming
customers.”
The most unusual beers will be Stone California Double IPA from the USA
and Yo-Ho Tokyo Black from Japan.
Neither have been sold previously in UK pubs and are being brewed
especially in England for the festival.
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From the Dover Mercury, 15 May, 2008. 60p
EIGHT BELLS PUB
PLANS have been submitted to the district council for two retractable
awnings on the front of the "Eight Bells" public house in Cannon Street,
Dover.
RAISE A GLASS TO PUB'S WINE CHALLENGE.
CUSTOMERS of a Dover pub are being invited to take part in a world
record wine-tasting bid.
Stephen Waymark, manager at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street, is staging
the event as part of the pub's wine festival, which starts on Wednesday
and goes on until Sunday, June 8.
It is one of 680 Wetherspoon pubs across the UK that is hosting the
synchronised wine tasting in an attempt to create a new Guinness World
Record.
The wine tasting will take place at The "Eight Bells" at 6pm on Wednesday
with customers offered a free glass of wine.
“The current world record stands at 5,100 tasters and I am confident
that it can be beaten, with my customers playing their part,” said Mr
Waymark.
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From the Dover Express, 30 October, 2008.
ALE AND HEARTY BEER FANS PREPARE TO DRINK UP.
BEER lovers are in for a treat when the "Eight Bells" pub in Cannon
Street hosts an ale festival featuring brews from around the world.
The event is being held at the Wetherspoon venue from today
(Thursday) to November 16, and drinkers will be able to sample homegrown
ales and beers from brewers in Japan, Australia and the USA.
All beers will be priced at £1.89 a pint and customers will be able
to sample any three of the ales in special third-of-a-pint glasses for
the price of a pint.
"Eight Bells" manager Stephen Waymark said: “The festival
will give people the opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of UK and
international beers, which are not normally available in the area. It
promises to be great fun and I am certain that customers will enjoy
themselves.”
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From the Dover Express, 11 September, 2008.
WINE FESTIVAL AT PUB.
WINE lovers are in for a treat when a Dover pub hosts a festival.
The event begins on Wednesday at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street
and runs for 19 days, I during which time a range of award-winning wines
will be on offer.
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From the Dover Mercury, 30 October, 2008.
BEERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
BEER enthusiasts will be able to enjoy 50 cask-conditioned beers from
across the world during an 18-day festival at a Dover pub.
The beers on offer at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street, have been
sourced from brewers in Japan, Australia, Denmark, USA, Poland and
Belgium, as well as the UK.
The festival will feature award-winning ales, speciality, seasonal,
organic and fruit beers, beers brewed exclusively for the pub, as well
as one beer selected in partnership with Campaign for Real Ale members.
The festival starts today (Thursday) and goes on until Sunday,
November 16 inclusive, with all beers priced at £1.89 a pint. Customers
will be able to sample any three of the real ales in third-of-a-pint
glasses for the price of a pint.
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From the Dover Mercury, 6 November, 2008.
PUB RAID ARREST
POLICE investigating a break-in at the "Eight Bells" pub in Cannon
Street, Dover, early on Sunday arrested two men. John Dalzell, 21, of
Milton Road, Dover, and Jason Smith, 19, of Mount Road, Dover, were
charged with burglary and are due in court on November 17.
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From the Dover Mercury, 8 January, 2009.
Drunk burglar stole beer from pub.
A DRUNK burglar who raided a Dover pub, stealing bottles of beer and
cider, has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to undergo
alcohol treatment.
John Dalzell, 21, of Milton Road, Dover, appeared for sentence at
Canterbury Crown Court having previously admitted burgling the Eight
Bells in Cannon Street, Dover, in the early hours of November 2.
Donna East, prosecuting, said that police were alerted by a call
reporting three men leaving by the fire door and getting into a taxi.
Police went to Milton Road where they arrested Dalzell in a back
garden.
In total, 14 bottles of cider and four bottles of lager had been
stolen. Some bottles of cider were recovered.
Dalzell told police that he had been out with his brother and another
man but that his brother had gone home. He said that a man called Tony
had told him it was easy to break into the Eight Bells and he added that
he had been "very drunk and very stupid".
He also admitted breaching an eight-month suspended sentence for
affray. But Mr Recorder Peter Morgan said that he was prepared to accept
recommendations in a pre-sentence report.
Good references
The Recorder said that he had read good references from Dalzell's
family and had taken into account his plea and the fact that he had not
made excuses for his actions.
He sentenced Dalzell to four months, suspended for 12 months, with
nine months supervision. He was also ordered to undergo alcohol
treatment and pay £11.16 compensation with £150 costs.
Pub cuts drink and food prices to beat downturn.
PUB manager Stephen Waymark is reducing the prices of five drinks at The
Eight Bells in Dover, but he is still making sure his staff serve
alcohol responsibly.
The price cuts at the Cannon Street pub are set to nm indefinitely.
The pub will also be offering five meals at all
times for £2.99, in addition to its regular menu.
"People enjoy' going
to the pub;' said Mr Waymark. "However, I appreciate that the economic
downturn means that they now have to be more careful
with their money.
"I believe that my new food and drink prices will allow people to visit
the pub without it costing them too
much. Unlike most sales that start in January, the pub's offer will not
be ending within days and will run
indefinitely."
The Eight Bells will offer a pint of Greene King IPA for 99p, a bottle
of San Miguel for 99p, a bottle of Blossom Hill Rose for £4.99, a single
measure of Sailor Jerry rum (and a mixer) for £1.29 and a bottle of Jacques cider (750ml) for £3.99.
The five £2.99 meals are cottage pie,
chips and peas, ham, eggs and chips, sausage, baked beans and chips,
spicy tomato pasta, jacket Potato and tuna mayonnaise with a salad.
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From the Dover Express, 9 April, 2009
Barred from Bells after coffee clash
Report by Kathy Bailes
A STORM in a coffee cup has seen a dad-of-three barred from a Dover pub
and a complaint made to Kent Trading Standards.
Teetotaller Chris Holman
says he was booted out of the Eight Bells after a squabble erupted over
just what was in his cappuccino. Mr Holman, who had popped into the town
centre pub for a cuppa after his mother's funeral, claims the spat
followed his discovery that instant coffee was being used in the
cappuccino machine.
Mr Holman, 46, of Durban Crescent, said: "I had been
to my mum's funeral and then went to the Eight Bells and asked for a
cappuccino. I paid £1.29. When I got it I noticed there was no froth and
when I tasted it, it was like the milk was off. I went back to the girl
who served me and told her it wasn't right."
Mr Holman was given a
replacement coffee but says this tasted just as bad as the
first one. He said: "When I went back to the girl she told me they had
run out of beans and had put instant coffee into the
machine.
"What I wanted to know was why I was paying £1.29 when normal coffee is
sold for 95 pence at the pub.
"I asked for my money back and that's when
it all got nasty."
Unemployed Mr Holman, who had been his mum's main
carer until she passed away, claims landlord Stephen Waymark told him he
had already wasted two coffees before slapping the cash in his hand and
making a comment about his mother's death.
Incensed at the outcome, Mr
Holman complained to Wetherspoon's head office
and to Kent Trading Standards.
He said: "When I called the head office
they told me an area manager would look into it.
"I then got a letter
saying my views would be passed to the area manager but I was barred by
the landlord and they would not overturn that decision."
A spokesman for Wetherspoon's confirmed a complaint has been made. He said: "This
gentleman has been barred. The manager says it is because he swore at
staff.
"In terms of the coffee we will look into it but can't comment at
this time."
Kent Trading
Standards confirmed a complain has been made.
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From the Dover Express, 17 September, 2009.
First time in top guide Delight for pub at place in
bible.
Report by Rhys Griffiths
A PUB in Dover has made its first appearance in the Campaign for Real
Ale's annual Good Beer Guide.
The Eight Bells, in Cannon Street, which is part of the Wetherspoon
chain, joins 16 other pubs from across the district in the 2010 edition
of the beer lovers' bible.
Although it has been a popular
town centre watering hole for many years, this is the first time it has
been recognised for the quality of its authentic real ales.
The pub was converted from a former cinema and takes its name from the
bells of St Mary's Church opposite.
Pub manager Stephen Waymark said: "I am delighted that The Eight Bells
has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by CAMRA members.
"We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all
times, including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well
as hosting two major annual beer festivals.
"Our staff work hard to ensure that the real ales are kept in firstclass
condition at all times and the pub's inclusion in the guide highlights
this."
Entries to the annual beer guide are compiled by CAMRA members and
represent the best places to get a quality pint.
A spokesman for CAMRA said:
"The Eight Bells deserves its place
in the Good Beer Guide.
"It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real
ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service,
quality of food, decor and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally
high standard."
Dover and Deal lead the way in the district, with four and three pubs in
the guide respectively. Other inclusions include the district pub of the
year, The "Berry" in Walmer, The "Coastguard" in St Margaret's Bay, and the
"Fleur de Lis" in Sandwich.
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday 11 February, 2010.
PUB BREAKFAST.
A DOVER pub is opening two hours earlier from next week to serve
breakfast.
The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street will open its doors from 7am,
seven days a week, from Wednesday.
At present the pub opens at 9am. Alcohol will not be served before
9am.
As well as the traditional breakfast, the menu includes porridge,
fruit and yogurt.
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From the Dover Express, 1 April 2010.
BEER FESTIVAL
BEER-LOVERS can treat themselves when a 19-day ale festival comes to
a Dover pub.
The Eight Bells in Cannon Street will have tasty brews from countries
including South Africa, Hawaii and Belgium.
The pub will offer up to 45 beers, including new, seasonal and
speciality beers.
Some beers have been brewed exclusively for the festival.
It will run from Wednesday, April 7 until Sunday, April 25 and all
beers will cost £1.89 a pint.
Pub manager Stephen Waymark said: ·People can enjoy a superb
selection of international beers."
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From the Dover Express, 22 April 2010.
BREAKFAST IS SERVED AT PUB
PUB punters who fancy a bite will be able to order food at The Eight
Bells in Cannon Street even earlier from next Wednesday.
The town pub will open its doors at 7am to serve breakfasts.
Alcohol will not be served until 9am.
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday 27 May, 2010.
PUB BRINGS IN WORLD CUP WINES.
A DOVER pub is hosting a wine festival with a World Cup theme in the
run-up to the football tournament.
The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street will be serving five wines from
World Cup-winning countries, as well as the official FIFA wine from the
host nation South Africa.
The six wines have not previously been served at the pub and will
complement up to 16 additional wines that will be available during the
whole festival - which runs until Thursday, June 10, the day before the
World Cup kicks off.
The festival wines on offer are Porta Nova Pinot Grigio Selezione
Azzurri 2009 (Italy), Rio Sol Cabernet Syrah (Brazil), Etchart Malbec
Privado 2009 (Argentina), Denbies Cellarmaster's Choice Chalk Ridge
(England), Loosen Brothers Dr L Riesling (Germany) and Nederburg Rose
'Twenty10' 2009 (South Africa).
The English wine has been produced exclusively for Wetherspoon by
award-winning winemakers Sam Harrop and John Worontschak.
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From the Dover Mercury, 17 September 2010.
EIGHT BELLS EARNS PLACE IN ALE DRINKERS' BIBLE
A DOVER pub has been acclaimed for the quality of its real ale by
members of the town's branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street, is listed in CAMRA's Good Beer
Guide 2010, published on Thursday. Branch members chose the pub
following regular visits to check on the quality of the beers on offer.
A CAMRA spokesman said: “The Eight Bells deserves its place in the
Good Beer Guide.
“It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real
ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service,
quality of food, decor and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally
high standard.”
Pub manager Stephen Waymark said: “I am delighted that The Eight
Bells has been recognised by CAMRA members.
“We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales, including
those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as hosting two
annual beer festivals.
“Our staff work hard to ensure that the real ales are kept in
first-class condition and the pub's inclusion in the guide highlights
this.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 23 September, 2010.
GOOD BEER PUTS PUB IN GUIDE
A DOVER pub has been praised for the quality of its real ale by
members of the town's Campaign for Real Ale branch.
The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street, is listed in CAMRA's Good Beer
Guide 2011, which was published on Thursday.
Branch members chose the Wetherspoon pub following regular visits to
check on the quality of the real ales on offer. They also took into
account customer service, decor and overall atmosphere. The pub's
manager, Stephen Waymark, said: "I am delighted that The "Eight Bells"
has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by CAMRA' members.
"We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all times,
including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as
hosting beer festivals.
"Staff work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in
first-class condition and the pub's inclusion in the guide highlights
this.
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From the Dover Express, 21 October 2010. 65p
REAL ALE FESTIVAL
BEER enthusiasts can choose from 50 real ales from across the world
during a 19-day festival at a Dover pub starting on Wednesday.
The beers on offer at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street will come from
brewers in places such as Sri Lanka, USA, Italy, Belgium and Holland, as
well as across the UK, and the Isle of Man.
Ten draught ciders will also be on offer.
The festival will run until November 14.
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From the Dover Mercury, 28 October, 2010.
PUB BEER FESTIVAL BOASTS 50 REAL ALES
BEER enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a range of 50 real ales from
across the world during a 19-day festival at a Dover pub.
The beers on offer at the "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street have been
gathered from brewers in Sri Lanka, USA, Italy, Belgium and Holland, as
well as across the UK, including Jersey and the Isle of Man.
In addition the pub will be serving up to 10 draught ciders. The
festival, which started yesterday (Wednesday) and runs through to
November 14, will feature a number of beers brewed exclusively for the
pub, beers which are no longer brewed, but have been brewed again
especially for the festival, as well as speciality flavoured beers. All
are priced at £1.95 a pint.
The overseas beers on sale include Lion Stout from Sri Lanka,
Castagnale (Italy), Green Hop Blonde (USA), Palm Steenhuffel Blond
(Belgium) and Flying Dutchman Junibier (Heineken Brewery, Holland).
The UK beers have such names as Chocoholic, Black Squirrel, Purple
Haze, Double Espresso Wild Oat Stout, Hairway to Steaven, Ghost Ship,
Ginger Hare and Wheat Dreams.
Amongst the beers brewed exclusively for the festival are Straight
Flush from Clark's brewery, Once Bittern (Woodford's), Ribble Rouser (Thwaites),
Phoenix Rising (Maxim) and Vanilla Orchid (Highwood).
Pub manager Stephen Waymark said: "The festival will give people the
opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of UK and international beers,
together with draught ciders, at the "Eight Bells." It promises to be
great fun and I am certain that my customers will enjoy themselves."
Tasting notes on all the beers and ciders will be available in the
pub.
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From the Dover Express, 29 December, 2011. 60p.
PUB BARGAINS
DOVER: Pub-goers will be able to cash in on the January sales with a
difference - at The Eight Bells in Dover.
The Cannon Street public house will be serving a pint of real ale at
1992 prices from next Tuesday through to January 11.
Manager Stephen Waymark said: “I'm sure that my customers will welcome
the reduction in prices, especially at the start of the year.
“Department stores and shops hold their sales in January and I believe
that given the choice of a trip to a sale at the shops, or a sale at The
"Eight Bells," most people would prefer a visit to the pub.”
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday 6 January 2011.
IT'S SALE TIME - AT THE PUB
MANAGERS or businesses in Dover have been welcoming people to their
January sales - and publican Stehen Waymark is no exception.
He has reduced the price on a number of drinks and meals at the
"Eight Bells" public house in Cannon Street in a sale which started on
Tuesday and runs until January 14.
"Department stores and shops hold their sales in January and I
believe that given the choice of a trip to a sale at the shops or a sale
at The "Eight Bells," most people would prefer a visit to the pub," said
Mr Waymark.
"The range of drinks and meals on sale is aimed at suiting a wide
variety of tastes. As always, the pub will serve customers responsibly."
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From the Dover Mercury, 14 July, 2011.
70p
CHEERS! PUB TO STAGE ITS FIRST CIDER FESTIVAL
A PUB in Dover is staging its first cider festival.
The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street will be serving 12 different
ciders during the festival, which runs for 11 days from Thursday, July
21 until Sunday, July 31.
Pub manager Stephen Waymark said: "Cider is proving increasingly
popular with our customers and I'm sure they will enjoy the opportunity
to enjoy ciders not usually available in the pub."
The draught and bottled drinks are from a range of cider makers in
England and Wales, and also include one produced in France. They are
available at £2.25 each and tasting notes on each of them will be
available at the Wetherspoon pub.
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From the Dover Mercury, 22 September, 2011.
70p
EIGHT BELLS WINS PRAISE FOR ITS ALES
A DOVER pub has been acclaimed for the quality of its real ale, by
members of the town's Campaign for Real Ale branch.
The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street, is listed in CAMRA's Good Beer
Guide 2012.
Local branch members chose the Wetherspoon pub following regular,
visits to check on the quality of the real ales on offer. They also took
into account customer service, decor and overall atmosphere.
A CAMRA spokesman said: "The "Eight Bells" deserves its place in the
Good Beer Guide 2012."
"It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real
ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service,
quality of food and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally high
standard."
The pub's manager, Stephen Waymark, said: "I am delighted that the
"Eight Bells" has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by
CAMRA, members.
"We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all times,
including those from regional breweries and microbrewers, as well as
hosting our own beer festivals.
"Staff at the pub work hard to ensure that the real ales on offer are
kept in first-class condition at all times."
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From the Dover Mercury, 29 December, 2011.
70p
GET THE BEERS IN AT 1992 PRICES.
A JANUARY sale with a difference will take place at Dover's The Eight
Bells from January 3 with real ale available at 1992 prices.
Green King Ruddles Best Bitter will cost £1.29 - the average price of a
pint of beer 20 years ago, according to the Campaign for Real Ales (CAMRA).
Other beers will also be discounted at the Cannon Street pub.
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From the Dover Mercury, 8 March, 2012. 80p
BEERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AT 19-DAY PUB FESTIVAL
BEER drinkers will be able to enjoy 50 cask-conditioned beers from
the UK and overseas during a 19-day festival at a Dover pub.
The overseas beers on offer at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street have
been sourced
from brewers in Russia, South Africa, Norway, USA and Belgium.
The festival will also feature beers from across the UK, including
speciality beers (ingredients include honey, loganberries, grapefruit,
treacle and chocolate), as well as beers brewed exclusively for the pub.
The festival will run from Wednesday until Sunday, April 1, inclusive,
with all beers priced at £2.15 a pint.
In addition the pub will be
serving up to 10 traditional draught ciders.
Pub manager Stephen Waymark said: “Many of the beers on offer have not
been available in the pub beforehand and I am looking forward to serving
them.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 5 July, 2012. 80p
PUB TO HOST CIDER FESTIVAL
PUB-goers will be able to enjoy a range of ciders during a festival at
the Eight Bells, in Cannon Street, Dover, from Wednesday, July 11, to
July 29.
The pub will offer up to 16 draught and bottled ciders from England and
Wales, with traditional ciders, fruit ciders and perries or pear cider
at £2.20 a pint.
Among those on offer will be Mr Whitehead's Plum Cider. Thatchers
Cheddar Valley, Sheppy's Farmhouse Draught, Weston's Cider Twist
Blackcurrant, Gwynt y Ddraig's Welsh Gold Perry and Sandford Orchards'
Devon Scrumpy.
Pub manager Kenny Birmingham said: “People will enjoy our fantastic
selection, a number of which are not usually available in the area.”
Tasting notes on all of the ciders will be available.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 12 July, 2012. 65p.
Report by Gary Wright
FIGHT AT PUB
A TEENAGER who had been released from prison only a few weeks earlier
got in a fight with bouncers at a Dover pub.
Drunk teen in pub fight gets off with fine.
MAGISTRATES GIVE ANOTHER CHANCE.
A TEENAGER who had been released from prison only a few weeks earlier
got into a fight with bouncers at a Dover pub after he was kicked out
for allegedly using drugs.
Storm Kennedy, 19, was so incensed at being accused by doormen at The
"Eight Bells," in Cannon Street, that he kicked over furniture outside and
eventually had to be pinned down until police arrived.
Kennedy, of Folkestone Road, Dover, was captured on CCTV kicking over
the furniture at 11.45pm.
“He was undoubtedly roughed up and needed hospital treatment
afterwards,” his solicitor Mark Trafford told Folkestone magistrates on
Friday, when Kennedy pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on
June 23 and being breach of a conditional discharge from last year.
Guilty
“But he accepts that he put himself in that position and that is why he
has pleaded guilty.”
Kennedy has been in and out of prison for the past two years the court
was told and he was released in March after serving a sentence for
assault. He was given a place at the St Martin's Emmaeus homeless
project in Dover, which offered him accommodation and paid work.
“But, following this incident, he had lost both and is now back
living with his mother,” said Mr Trafford, who said his client was
undergoing medical checks for possible liver damage caused by booze.
“He suffers from a form of Asperger's and has a problem with
confrontation. When he was asked to leave the pub that night, he was
wrongly accused of taking drugs and that was why he reacted badly. A lot
of force was used against him.”
Chairman of the magistrates bench Marek Bilik told Kennedy that he had
“an appalling record” but he said there would be no action for the
breach.
Kennedy was fined £50 for being drunk and disorderly with costs
totalling £100. “We've dealt with you very leniently,” said Mr Bilik.
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From the Dover Mercury, 20 September, 2012. 80p
PUB ACCOLADE FOR SERVING A FINE PINT
A DOVER pub has been included in next year's Good Beer Guide after
being chosen by members of the local branch of the Campaign for Real
Ale.
Local branch members chose the "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street following
regular visits to check on the quality of the beers on offer.
They also took into account customer service, decor and overall
atmosphere.
As a result, the Wetherspoon pub is listed in the Camra guide which was
published on Thursday.
A Camra spokesman said: “The Eight Bells deserves its place in the Good
Beer Guide 2013.
“It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real
ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service,
quality of food and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally high
standard.”
The pub's manager, Kenny Birmingham, said: “I am delighted that The
"Eight Bells" has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by Camra members.
“We offer our customers an excellent range of real ales at all times,
including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as
hosting our own beer festivals.”
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 18 October, 2012. 65p.
WORLD'S BEERS AT PUB'S FESTIVAL
DOVER: Beer enthusiasts will be able to enjoy up to 50 real ales,
during a 19-day festival at The "Eight Bells" pub in Cannon Street.
Beers have been sourced from brewers in Japan, Lithuania, Holland,
Australia, Canada, Italy, USA and Belgium.
The festival will also feature beers from across the UK and a number
of speciality tipples and will run from Wednesday, October 24 to Sunday,
November 11.
Pub manager Kenny Birmingham said: “Many of the beers on offer have
not been available in the pub beforehand and I am looking forward to
serving them.”
Customers will be able to sample any three of the real ales in
special third-of-a-pint glasses for the price of a pint. Tasting notes
on all of the beers will be available in the pub.
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From the Dover Mercury, 18 October, 2012. 80p
BEER FESTIVAL PROMISES TO BE A BIG HIT
BEER enthusiasts will be able to enjoy up to 50 real ales, including
10 from overseas, during a 19-day festival at a Dover pub.
It's being held at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street and the overseas
beers will come from brewers in Japan, Lithuania, Holland, Australia,
Canada, Italy, USA and Belgium.
The festival, which starts on Wednesday and continues until Sunday,
November 11, will also feature beers from across the UK, including
speciality beers which have such ingredients as heather, grapefruit and
elderberries.
All beers will be priced at £1.99 a pint.
Pub manager Kenny Birmingham said: “The festival will give people the
opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of UK and international beers.
“We will be serving the largest selection of overseas beers ever
available in the pub, together with a fantastic range of UK beers.
“Many of the beers on offer have not been available in the pub
beforehand and I am looking forward to serving them. The festival
promises to be great fun.”
Customers will be able to sample any three of the real ales in special
third-of-a-pint glasses for the price of a pint and tasting notes on all
of the beers will be available.
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From the Dover Mercury, 28 March, 2013. 80p.
BEER FESTIVAL WILL LAST FOR 19 DAYS
BEER drinkers will be able to enjoy a range of 50 real ales from the
UK and overseas during a 19-day beer festival at a Dover pub.
The overseas beers on offer at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street have
been sourced from brewers in New Zealand, Greece, Russia, Canada, USA,
Netherlands and Czech Republic.
They will complement the beers from across the UK being served in the
pub during the festival.
The festival will run from Wednesday, April 3 until Sunday, April 21
inclusive, with all beers priced at £2.15 a pint.
It will feature new, seasonal and speciality beers, including a passion
fruit beer, coffee and chocolate bean beer, wheat beer, blackberry
porter, cask lager and a coffee porter.
The overseas beers on sale include Pacific Pearl from New Zealand, Red
Racer from Canada, Ionian Coffee Porter from Greece), American ales
called Twilight and American Amber, and Siberian Red from Russia.
The ales from the UK have some unusual names such as Willy Nilly,
Pursuit of Hoppy-ness, Budding Beauty, Tasmanian Wolf and Continental
Drift.
Customers will be able to sample any three of the real ales in special
third of a pint glasses for the price of a pint
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 4 July, 2013. 70p.
CIDER FESTIVAL
Cider fans will be able to enjoy a range of draught ciders
from England, Wales and Northern Ireland during a Dover pub's festival.
The event takes place at The "Eight Bells" in Cannon Street from
Wednesday, July 10 until Sunday, July 28.
At least 16 draught ciders will be available.]
Pub manager Kenny Birmingham said: “Cider is the perfect summer drink
and I am certain that people will enjoy our fantastic selection.”
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From the Dover Express, 3 July, 2014.
Cider festival at Eight Bells.
DOVER: Cider fans will be able to enjoy many different varieties of their
favourite drink at The "Eight Bells" next week.
The cider festival at the Cannon Street boozer will run from Friday, July
11 until Saturday, July 27.
The pub will offer up to 17 different examples over the 17 days, including
some never previously available in the Wetherspoon pub and others produced
exclusively for the festival.
The selection will include some ciders with unusual flavours, such as
beetroot, rhubarb, ginger and chilli, and a raspberry.
Among those on offer are Somerset Tree Shaker and Doctors Orders at a
price of £2.40 a pint.
Pub manager Ken Birmingham said: “Cider is the perfect summer drink and I
am certain that people will enjoy our fantastic selection.”
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From the Dover Express, 18 September 2014.
Cheaper booze at Eight Bells.
DOVER: Wetherspoons’ Eight Bells in Cannon Street, Dover, will drop all of
its food and drink prices on one day later this month.
The town centre boozer will cut 7.5 per cent off all its prices on
Wednesday, September 24.
Wetherspoons is backing a national “Tax Equality Day”, aimed at
highlighting the benefit of a VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.
Prices at its pubs will be reduced for one day only, in order to show the
benefits of a VAT reduction to five per cent.
The pub’s manager, Ken Birmingham, said: “We are proud to support the
campaign to reduce the level of VAT within the pub industry.”
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From the Dover Express, 16 October 2014.
Ales on offer.
DOVER: Ten real ales from across the world will be available at The Eight
Bells during a 17-day festival.
The drinks on offer at the Wetherspoon pub in Cannon Street have been
sourced from brewers in New Zealand, the USA, Holland, Australia, Belgium
and Italy. They will complement up to 15 beers from across the UK also
being served.
The festival will rim from Friday October 17, to Sunday November 2,
inclusive, with all beers priced at £2.05 a pint.
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From the Dover Mercury, 8 January 2015.
Pub cuts prices for January.
The January sales have started, and the Eight Bells in Cannon Street had
reduced the prices of selected meals and drinks.
The promotion came into play on January 5 and will last until January 22.
Seven of the pub’s most regular drinks will be reduced, available from
£1.99 and a cup of coffee for 79p.
Mr Birmingham said: “Department stores and shops hold their sales in
January, so it is the perfect time to have a sale in the pub too.
“The range of drinks and meals on sale is aimed at suiting a wide variety
of tastes and I believe that the January Sale will prove popular with our
customers. “As always staff at the pub will serve customers responsibly.”
Eight Bells staff Shantele Williams, Tom Bills, manager Kenny Birmingham
and Lizzy Adams.
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From the Dover Express, 3 March 2016.
Kenny's loving life as Eight Bells boss.
WHAT is it like to run one of Dover’s most popular pubs? From
students to cruise ship passengers, manager of the Eight Bells Kenny
Birmingham will have seen all sorts, so reporter Joe Kasper went to the
town centre boozer to find out...
IF you walk down Cannon Street on a weekday morning or afternoon you would
be forgiven for thinking it is not as busy as it should be.
But step in to the local JD Wetherspoon and it is buzzing.
This is because the chain wants to offer the whole package, according to
The Eight Bells’ manager Kenny Birmingham.
He said: “We want to appeal to everyone - families, students, old people.
It’s a meeting place - people come in to relax and there’s a very relaxed
atmosphere in the morning. That’s the idea of Wetherspoons.
“A lot of mothers now meet here, retired people meet here and students
during the holidays.”
The former Dover Grammar School for Boys student has been employed by
Spoons for nine years, working his way up from a pint puller.
It was during his studies at Canterbury Christ Church University when his
love affair began
with the chain. The Thomas Ingoldsby in the city would be his first port
of call.
Mr Birmingham said: “I quite enjoyed it - the company has a lot to offer
and I’ve always worked in a good team and the camaraderie is great.
“Now I have to deal with licences, health and safety, food hygiene, rotas,
employment and stocks.”
Regulars.
Now living in Temple Ewell with his fiancée and two twin daughters, Mr
Birmingham is loving life at the Cannon Street boozer.
He said: “I’m a Dovorian and I know a lot of people in Dover and get on
with the regulars really
well.
“In our team we have a mix - it’s a close knit of 30. There are few
students who work part-time as we offer flexible working hours.”
But being a born and bred Dovorian, at the age of 28, Mr Birmingham has
seen some changes inside the pub and outside.
“We don’t see as many shoppers as we once did,” he said.
“I think Dover needs to make more of the tourism really it’s key and it’s
a very historic town.
“I think Dover needs a bit of investment which is here and is coming but
particularly for something for people to do in the evening."
But what of the pub game?
Well recently Friday and Saturday nights have not been the busiest periods and alcoholic tipples are
not the sole reason for entering a Spoons.
Mr Birmingham said: “During the mornings and the afternoons is when we’re
busiest.
“People come in and have breakfast and coffee - we have free filter coffee
refills up to 2pm. We’ve seen a big growth on food -Wetherspoons is
getting a lot more behind it.
“People from the cruises will come in off the street. They want the
traditional stuff - fish and chips and ale.
“We’ve also seen a big rise in gin recently.”
We’ll say cheers to that!
The pub will host an ale festival from March 11 to 27.
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From the
https://www.kentlive.news By Lauren MacDougall, 18 November 2017.
The fascinating reason Dover's Wetherspoon's is called The Eight Bells.
Wetherspoon's tend to name their public houses after something locally
significant, so...
JD Wetherspoon say they take the naming of their pubs "very seriously".
And if you took a moment to consider some of the Spoons in Kent this
becomes very easily apparent.
Take the pub in Deal for example, named the "Norman Wisdom."
One of the country’s best-loved comedians, Wisdom was born into an
impoverished family and, at an early age, was sent to live in Deal.]
Aged 14, he took a succession of jobs in London, later becoming one of the
highest-paid British stars of his day.
The pub, named after him, was previously the town's job centre.
But have you ever stopped to think about the name behind Dover's
Wetherspoon pub? Why is it called "The Eight Bells"?
Well, surprisingly, the name is not actually to do with the building that
houses the pub itself, the former "Metropole Hotel."
It's actually to do with a building nearby...
The Eight Bells stands in the shadow of St Mary’s, one of Dover’s main
parish churches for more than 400 years.
It was rebuilt in 1843, except for the tower, which has the eight bells -
and according to Wetherspoon this was the inspiration for the pub's name.
The church's bells were originally made by Samuel Knight in 1724.
In 1898, at the time the tower again restored, the bells were rehung in a
new frame by John Warner & Sons, who recast the treble bell.
The bells have since then been rehung twice, in 1947 and 2002 and remain
one of the oldest surviving features of the church mentioned in the
Domesday Book.
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From the Dover Mercury, 22 November 2017.
‘Exceptional’ loo gets judges going.
A pub has won top prize for the quality and standards of its toilets in
the Loo of the Year Awards 2017.
The Eight Bells in Cannon Street, Dover, has been awarded a platinum
star rating in the this year’s competition.
It has been placed in the category of “exceptional”.
The awards, celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, are to
highlight and improve standards of non-home toilet provision across the
UK.
The loos are judged against criteria such as decor and maintenance,
cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing and drying equipment and overall
management.
Sean Hicks, manager at the Wetherspoon pub, said: “Staff ensure that
the toilets are in first-class condition at all times.
“It is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 30 November 2017. By Andy Robinson.
Pub’s loos join the roll of honour in national awards.
Inspectors so impressed with toilets at Eight Bells they’re awarded
highest rating.
A DOVER pub has been awarded a platinum star rating in the Loo of the Year
Awards 2017 - the highest grade possible.
The Eight Bells in Canon Street, which is run by the Wetherspoon chain,
evidently impressed inspectors on an unannounced visit.
The awards, which celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, are aimed at
highlighting and improving , standards of “away from home” toilet
provision across the UK.
All of the lavatories are graded from bronze to platinum, with the highest
grade given only to locations which offer “exceptional toilets”.
Cleanliness.
The toilets are judged against numerous criteria, including decor and
maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing and drying equipment
and overall management.
The Eight Bells is managed by Sean Hicks.
Mr Hicks said: “We are delighted with the award. Staff at the pub ensure
the toilets are in first-class condition at all times and it is great that
this has been recognised by the inspectors.”
The Loo of the Year Awards 2017 managing director, Mike Bone, said: “The
toilets at The Eight Bells have been designed and fitted out to a very
high standard and are both clean and well maintained.
“The pub richly deserves its platinum award.”
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Jee, 22 March 2023.
Wetherspoon applies for permission to demolish former Legends nightclub
in Dover to extend The Eight Bells.
Wetherspoon bosses have unveiled plans to demolish an abandoned
nightclub in order to build a £3m extension and a new pub garden.
The former Legends venue in Dover could be flattened under proposals put
forward to transform The Eight Bells in Cannon Street. Picture: Deep South Media.
The national chain wants to knock down the single-storey building which
used to house the nightclub - and carry out a dramatic redesign of the
pub's interior.
Some nearby businesses fear it could result in more noise coming from
the branch and could hit trade at other drinking spots.
But others say if it brings more visitors to the town it "has to be a
good thing".
Planning documents submitted to Dover District Council (DDC) say: "The
proposal is to improve the design of the premises by relocating ground
floor toilet facilities, kitchen and garden to the currently unused
Legends night club including the external garden are.
"This will allow the main customer area to be more open-plan than as is
at present.
"Other works will include repairs and improvements to the existing
features, to highlight their historical significance, whilst
simultaneously complying with current building standards.
"The external works will match the existing materials to ensure the
building's character is retained."
Bosses also want to make the pub "distinctive, safer and pleasant," as
well as "easy to get to and move around in, welcoming, adaptable and
resource-efficient."
The total cost of the "high specification" development is expected to be
around £2.9 million, according to the plans.
Historically part of a cinema building, the Legends nightclub is now a
stripped-out shell having been abandoned for years.
It went up for auction in May 2017, failing to sell at £250,000 and
being re-listed a few weeks later at £200,000.
Attached to the back of the pub, the entire building will be demolished,
with part of its floor space being used for the extension of the pub
building, with the rest earmarked for a new pub garden.
The new plans are currently available to view, with residents invited to
comment in support or against the development.
The news has divided business owners in Cannon Street, with some feeling
it is the "wrong move" for the town.
Sandra Malho, who owns cafe La Salle Verte four doors down from the pub,
said: "I don't think it's right. Other businesses in the town already
have problems – small businesses can't make any money because their [Wetherspoon's]
drinks are so cheap.
"We also have too much noise from the pub already and I'm worried this
will make it worse. I would have liked to see something else to have
happened to the old nightclub to bring people to the town in general
rather than just going there [The Eight Bells.
However, Dave Robinson, owner of Vinoteq Wine Bar and Venue, said that
it was "good to see Wetherspoons investing in Dover".
"They are closing down or selling pubs across the country so a £3m
investment shows some faith in the town," he added.
"We're a wine bar so I'm not concerned that it'll impact our trade, and
if it brings more people into the town it has got to be a good thing.
"I trust that given peoples' concerns about noise, 'Spoons will have a
plan to deal with that."
The scene in Cannon Street in 1909, including the Metropole Hotel
(Picture courtesy of Dover Museum)
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “The Eight Bells has been a
popular Wetherspoon pub in Dover for many years.
“We are always aiming to offer our customers the best possible pub and
the project to increase the size of the pub and create a beer garden
highlights the company’s commitment to the pub and its customers as well
as Dover itself.”
The Eight Bells pub occupies part of a building which was home to the
former Metropole Hotel.
It opened as a Wetherspoon pub in 1997, having been home to Millets
outdoor clothing store.
It stands in the shadow of St Mary’s Church, which was totally rebuilt
in 1843, except for the tower, which has the eight bells, giving the pub
its name. |
LICENSEE LIST
PILLING Timothy 1997-98+
WAYMARK Steve 2007-Mar/12
BIRMINGHAM Kenny Mar/2012-17
HICKS Sean 2017+
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