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42-44 Queen Street
Deal
01304 374839
Originally called the "Five Bells"
and later the "Swan" this pub has changed name several
times, ending up with its current name of the "Hole in the Roof". The
original building was constructed in 1694, workmen found a stone
stating the date while doing repair work in 1890.
Originally Queen Street was called Five Bells Lane and it was named after
the original pub and brewery that stood where this pub is today.
This pub has also been called the "Swan Hotel" and also the "Swans". The
change of name from the "Five Bells" to the "Swan Hotel" happened in the
1820s.
The Poor Rate book of 1776 states, “Thomas Oakley, and garden, Five Bells
Brew House, water works, brew house, new malt house and brew house”. There
was yet another brew house opposite the pub (now Kwik-Fit) and several
others in Deal over the years.
1838 saw the building large enough for 20 horses and 6 wagons, but
records show it once stabled 35 horses and at an agricultural show in
Victoria Park nearby, 101 horses were tethered there.
Charles Dickens stayed at the hotel in 1847 for the opening of the Deal
to Minster railway where it is said he travelled on the very first train it
is thought that he wrote part of one of his novels there.
A fire broke out at the rear the pub in September 1881 injuring a horse
belonging to Sanger's circus which unfortunately had to be destroyed. It was
estimated at being worth 200 guineas. The brewers, at that time owned the
pub and were Hills and Sons.
1937 saw Thompson's as the brewers who were obliged to demolish the
original pub and rebuild it a few feet back from its original position when
the Council widened Queen Street. The new building was opened in June 1937
with new landlords.
May 1st 1985 saw the name change again, this time from the "Swan Hotel"
to the "Swans" and again on 10 September 1997 to the name we see today, the
"Hole in the Roof". I do not yet know the reason why this name was chosen.
1999 saw a huge refit costing £160,000.
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Advert from the Dover Mercury 18 September 2003.
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From the Dover Mercury 7 December 2007.
A Christmas toast from Sam Bell, Sam Palmer and Dave
Lynch at the Hole in the Roof
Picture: Terry Scott pd1334020
A warm welcome and great music.
A WARM atmosphere, good food and a chance to enjoy top quality music
nights are all on offer at The Hole in the Roof, one of Deal town
centre's busiest pubs.
For the past three years husband and wife team Paul and Kathy Lynch have
been working hard to keep their customers happy and are still full of
plans for the Queen Street business.
Paul said: "The Hole in the Roof is getting stronger every day and there
are lots of new changes and a new look for 2008."
But before the New Year there are still
lots of diary dates for everyone looking for a good evening of
entertainment in the run-up to Christmas.
The pub has built up a reputation for Motown nights and on December 23
there is a chance to enjoy a Diana Ross tribute from Jackie Webb.
Paul added: "This is for the over 25s only to relive the best music of
the past in our downtown soul bar."
There is also a ticket-only New Year's Eve Motown Night, with tickets
available at the bar, and new live acts as well as old
favourites booked for 2008, including by popular demand the Electric
Beatles.
Apart from live music, the Hole in the Roof also looks after football
fans with regular Premiership games on screen.
Kathy added: "We have new menus of good home-cooked food and a good
selection of ice-cold premium lagers and real ales.
"From January there will be a new look to the pub, with our front
terrace adding more ambience to the Hole.
"Paul and I would like
to give a special thank you to all customers old and new for all their
support and warm reports on email for the friendliest
staff in town.
"Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and we look
forward to a great new year together."
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From the Dover Mercury, 23 April, 2008.
(Advertising feature)
A little bit of Covent Garden comes to the Hole
in the Roof.
IT may be a far cry from the bustling evenings in Covent Garden or an
al fresco night out in a cobbled square in Rome; but the new heaters on
the Hole in the Roof's front terrace certainly lend it a continental
feel.
The outside seating area is illuminated and bathed in an inviting
glow which warms the bar. The Hole, or Soul Bar, as it is becoming
known, has undergone a dramatic facelift from the new encircling ball
shade to the new heaters, new signs and a splash more colour.
It is already bustling day and night as people unwind and bathe in
the first days of sunshine and while away the almost balmy evenings in
good company and good music.
The Hole also offers three 50in plasma televisions sited in the front
and saloon bar and rear garden. Good pub food is now being served from
Monday to Friday from noon until 3pm with the ever-popular carvery on a
Sunday being served from noon until 3pm. Booking is advisable.
The function room is available for hire from Monday to Friday for all
your special occasions including parties for over 21s. There is a choice
of DJ and three buffet menus, you can mix and match to suit your needs.
To book a table, party or the function room, telephone 01304 374839,
or call in for a drink at the Queen Street venue.
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday 1 May, 2008.
(Advertising feature)
Hole in the Roof is just getting better and better!
WITH a fantastic new chef on board, why not start your day with one of
our breakfasts, now being served between 10am and noon, with our lunch
menu available from noon to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and a carvery on
Sunday, noon to 3pm.
This bank holiday weekend sees a great line-up of live music at The
Hole in the Roof. Tomorrow (Friday) night will see Euston take to the
stage, followed by Shann Lee Parker on Sunday from 6.30pm.
For all of you swing fans out there, come and enjoy a tribute to Michael
Buble and more on Wednesday, May 28 from 2pm, brought to you in
conjunction with Victoria Mews and McCarthy Stone.
Motown Nights are back with a bang, on the last Saturday of each month
throughout the summer.
With summer fast approaching come, unwind and enjoy our
sun-soaked front terrace (adults only) or our relaxing rear garden.
Our function room is still readily available for your private parties,
which can also include the exclusive use of the rear garden for bookings
of over 100 people.
As the world's greatest tennis stars limber up for Wimbledon, come any
enjoy all of the action at The Hole in the Roof, with the classic dish
of strawberries and cream with jugs of Pimms.
• Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights will now be over 21s, though our
younger regular customers are still more than welcome.
• To all of our residents and neighbours, we are here to work with
you. If you have any problems do not hesitate to come and share them
with us. The Hole in the Roof is available on 01304 374839.
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From the Dover Mercury, Thursday 24 July, 2008.
(Advertising feature)
SALOON BAR IS PERFECT VENUE
THE amazing transformation of the Hole in the Roof continues, with a
new-look saloon bar.
It is ideal for a wine and dine experience or a special party,
especially a wedding reception.
The big room has a warm and friendly atmosphere and party goers even
have the opportunity to end their celebrations with an overnight stay at
the "Hole in the Roof."
There are spacious en suite rooms available at reasonable rates, with
breakfast served at a supplement from 9am for overnight guests.
The "Hole in the Roof" has a special front terrace for those warm
summer days and evenings, with the added attraction of sitting outside
enjoying a meal.
The menu has good home-cooked food, all excellent value, and the
business is proud of its attentive staff.
Adults with small children are welcome in part of the salon bar and
also the garden at the back of the "Hole in the Roof," but not on the
Queen Street terrace.
Apart from the new-look saloon, there are also two large bars with
plenty of space.
Landlord and landlady at the bar and restaurant are Paul and Kath
Lynch, who both have a wealth of knowledge about the business.
Paul said: “The Hole in the Roof is rapidly being established as the
place to be in Deal for the over-21s and ID is requested.”
Last orders at the bar on Fridays and Saturdays are taken at 1am and
the doors close 30 minutes later, although the main front door will shut
at midnight.
■ To all our residents and neighbours, we are here to work with you.
If you have any problems do not hesitate to come and share them with us.
The Hole in the Roof is available on 01304 374839.
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From the Dover Mercury, 4 September, 2008. By Kevin
Redsull
GLOBETROTTING KEVIN CAN'T WAIT TO RETURN.
MICHAEL Palin, eat your heart out! There aren't many people who could
say that to the BBC's jovial globetrotter but Kevin Lynch is certainly
one of them.
Since joining HM Diplomatic Service 30 years ago, the former Sir
Roger Manwood's School pupil has been to 49 different countries, either
for work or for pleasure.
Kevin is currently serving as HM Consul in Denver in the US but was
back home in Deal a few weeks ago to visit family and friends, including
his parents Kevin and Breda, who live in Gilham Grove, and younger
brother Paul, who is landlord of The "Hole in the Roof" in Deal.
And Kevin, who will be 50 later this year, is looking forward to
retiring back to Deal after a career which has included postings in such
diverse places as Lithuania, Bangladesh and western Siberia.
PRISON
It all began in the somewhat less exotic surroundings of Canterbury
Prison.
After leaving school Kevin started work as an administrative clerk in
1978 for the Civil Service at the prison.
He explained: “One day a job application form came into the office for
clerks in the HM Diplomatic Service.
“I decided to give it a go, passed the interview, and never looked back.
“I then did three years in London before I got my first overseas
posting, which was working for NATO for three years in Brussels.
“It was a fantastic posting - we still have reunions all these years
later.” After the posting came to an end Kevin worked for two years as
an immigration officer in Dhaka, Bangladesh, followed by short stints in
Baghdad and Jeddah in the Middle East, before returning to London for
three years.
He said: “I then started on an unusually long run abroad because you
don't normally do more than two tours [overseas postings] back-to-back.
“First off I was in Dakar in Senegal for three years.
“It meant I became a member of the exclusive Double Dakar Club, as there
are only three of us in the Diplomatic Service who have served in both
Dhaka in Bangladesh and Dakar in Senegal!
“Then came the best job of the lot. I did a 10-week stint in the
Seychelles preparing for a State visit by the Duchess of Kent. I was
able to fly around all the islands and ‘inspect' the beautiful
beaches!”
Lithuania was the next stop in 1994, where Kevin was made deputy head of
the British Mission.
He said: “It's a fantastic country, with very nice people. It's also
special for me because I met my wife Leone there and we now have two
children.”
After Lithuania he spent three more years in the Middle East, followed
by three more in Ghana, before returning to Britain four years ago.
He bought a house in London Road and started commuting to Whitehall.
But it wasn't long before Kevin got itchy feet and he agreed to spend
eight months as temporary consul general in
Yekaterinburg in western Siberia.
He said: “That was fascinating. I was working in the remotest area you
could possible imagine but while I was there the current job in Denver
came up.
“I asked Leone if she fancied spending a few years in the States and she
said yes, so I started there 16 months ago.”
While he is in Denver Kevin intends notching up the half-century on his
list of countries visited by going to Canada. But he admits he is
beginning to think ahead to his retirement and after travelling so much,
he is looking forward to spending more time in Deal. Kevin said: “One of
the reasons I joined the Diplomatic Service was that at the age of 20 I
felt Deal was too small.
“But I've come to realise what a beautiful town it is, with a fantastic
history which I am just beginning to learn about. Leone and I love
coming back here.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 14 October, 2010.
(Advertising feature)
HOLE LOT OF FUN WITH DIANA ROSS TRIBUTE.
AFTER the success of our last charity night the diva of divas, Jackie
Webb, makes her return to the stage of "The Hole in the Roof" as the
legendary Diana Ross for a one-off spectacular on Friday, November 5.
The cabaret night, in aid of Demelza House is a night for black ties,
ball gowns and dancing, drinking and feasting but no fireworks (sorry).
The evening is ticket only. Tickets are now on sale from the pub at £10
each.
After a long wait, Kai McKenzie is back in the Hole as Michael Buble.
Kai makes his return on Sunday, November 7 at 4pm.
Coming soon, an awesome Abba tribute act in the form of Absolute
Abba. But while you're waiting for these events, get your outfits
together for our Halloween Party on Saturday, October 30, preceded by
Archive on Friday, October 29, at 9pm, with Get Ape topping the bill on
Sunday at 4pm, it should be a weekend to remember.
Our Christmas Day menu is now available at the bar. Spaces are going
fast so book up early.
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The establishment is now advertising itself as a "Hotel Café
Bar."
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From the Dover Mercury, 1 September, 2011.
70p
NEW POSTING TAKES KEVIN TO LAST REFUGE OF BOUNTY
MUTINEERS
One for the road: Kevin Lynch's brother Paul serves him a farewell
pint in the "Hole in the Roof" pub before he sets off for Pitcairn.
If the following question came up in a quiz night. "What's the
connection between Deal and the Mutiny on the Bounty?" - how many people
would be able to answer it?
Well, one person who could is Kevin Lynch because the former Sir
Roger Manwood's School pupil, who has worked for HM Diplomatic Service
for the past 34 years, has been doing some research ahead of taking up a
posting as HM Consul General in Auckland and Deputy Governor of the
Pitcairn Islands.
The Pitcairns are a group of four volcanic islands in the South
Pacific which are now a British Overseas Territory, but in 1790 they
became the refuge for the perpetrators of one of the most infamous
incidents in British naval history.
In April 1789 Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers set Captain
William Bligh adrift in a longboat after taking control of the Bounty
and fled.
Fletcher and his companions settled in the Pitcairns and Tahiti while
Bligh and his 18 loyal crew members made an epic journey to the Dutch
East Indies before returning to England to report events.
And the Deal connection? Let Kevin take up the story: "I have been
reading a book by Caroline Alexander called "The Bounty - The True Story
of the Mutiny on the Bounty" and I was amazed to discover that two of
the small boats on board the Bounty, a cutter and a jolly boat, were
both built in Deal when it was a naval dockyard.
"I'm looking forward to telling the locals when I get there that the
two small boats were built in my home town in the UK."
Kevin, 53, whose younger brother Paul is the landlord of the "Hole in
the Roof" pub in Deal, has been posted all over the world while working
for HM Diplomatic Service. His postings have included Brussels,
Bangladesh, Senegal, The Seychelles, Lithuania, where he-met his wife
Leone, Siberia, and the USA where he recently completed a four-year
stint as HM Consul in Denver.
"We had four great years in Denver;" he said. "They are lovely people
and Denver has a beautiful location in the foothills of the Rockies and
so we were quite sad to leave."
But such is the nomadic nature of a career in the Foreign Office and
Kevin, whose first job on leaving school in 1978 was as a Civil Service
administrative clerk at Canterbury Prison, certainly has no regrets.
For someone who loves travelling to different countries it would
appear to be something of a dream job and when Kevin arrives in New
Zealand it will be the 50th country that he has been to either in a work
capacity or as a holiday visitor.
He said: ''After arriving in Auckland I will do some training before
moving on to the Pitcairns for a three-month stint, and then I will
return to Auckland in December and be based there for the next four
years, "I will remain responsible for the Pitcaims during that time and
will make regular visits back there. Pitcairn is the world's remotest
democracy, with a population of only about 50 people, and it should be a
very interesting experience."
Kevin and Leone - who will joining him in the Pitcairns in January
live in London Road, Deal. But their children, Benny, 14, and Adele, 13,
will not be making the trip. They start at Dover College as boarders
next month.
Kevin flew out last Thursday, stopping over in Auckland and Tahiti
before arriving at the Pitcairns on September 8. Despite his love of
travel. Kevin is already looking forward to retiring in Deal.
He said: "I love coming back to Deal, seeing old friends while all my
family live locally I think Deal is a beautiful place with a fantastic
history, and the link with the Mutiny on the Bounty just goes to prove
it."
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From the Dover Mercury, 29 December 2016.
Celebrations ruined by nightspot smoke bomb.
Revellers were forced to leave the Hole In The Roof in Deal on Boxing
Day after a smoke bomb filled the building with a green haze.
Customers are reported to have climbed out of the windows in a bid to
escape and some have since had to visit emergency doctors after smoke
inhalation.
The incident, which occurred on one of the Queen Street establishment’s
busiest nights of the year, is now being investigated by police.
Manager Richard Harris lambasted the culprits in a statement on social
media site Facebook the next day.
He said: “We hope everyone had a great Christmas and that last night was
not overly ruined due to the stupidity of a few people who had released
a green smoke bomb in the premises.
“This resulted in the staff having to follow emergency procedures and
evacuate the building to investigate and, of course, ventilate the
building in order to continue trading.
“We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience caused and if anyone has
any damages caused by the fumes or has any concerns please feel free to
get in touch with us and we can add this information to the police
investigation.” Mr Harris says the men have been caught on CCTV.
He continued: “We do have an extremely large number of cameras on site
and you have been seen.
“We know a number of names involved and we would like to give you the
opportunity to approach us to deal with the
situation before it goes further. We do have damage caused to the
carpets, an extreme amount of loss of trade on one of the busiest nights
of the year and a few staff members have had to visit emergency doctors
during the night to receive treatment for the smoke inhalation.
“We’d also like to say that this incident was not by ‘children’ but
by young men who should know better. Thank you for ruining a brilliant
night for the premises and the customers.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact
the pub on 01304 374839 or the police with the crime reference
ZY-47099-16.
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From the Dover Express, 5 January, 2017.
By Dean Kilpatrick.
Pub is evacuated after gang of yobs throw smoke bomb.
‘Thank you for ruining a brilliant night for the premises and the
customers’.
DOZENS of people had to be evacuated from a packed pub in Deal on Boxing
Day after yobs threw a smoke bomb into it.
The attackers, described as “young men”, threw the bomb into The Hole in
the Roof on the evening of December 26 - forcing customers to leave the
premises while it was ventilated.
Members of staff also suffered smoke inhalation as a result of the
incident, with some even having to visit emergency doctors overnight to
receive treatment.
A spokesman for the pub said: “We hope everyone had a great Christmas
and that the night was not overly ruined due to the stupidity of a few
people who had released a green smoke bomb in the premises.
“This resulted in the staff having to follow emergency procedures and
evacuate the building to investigate and, of course, ventilate the
building in order to continuing trading.
“We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience caused and if anyone has
any damages caused by the fumes or has any concerns, feel free to get in
touch with us and we can add this information to the police
investigation.”
The "Hole in the Roof," in Queen Street, also suffered damage to carpets
and an “extreme amount of loss of trade” on what is one of the pub’s
busiest nights.
The spokesman added: “To the culprits behind this, unfortunately your
actions were caught on CCTY we do have an extremely large number of
cameras onsite and you have been seen.
Opportunity.
“We know a number of names involved and we would like to give you the
opportunity to approach us to deal with the situation before it goes
further.
“We’d also like to say this incident was not by children, but by young
men who should know better.
“Thank you for ruining a brilliant night for the premises and the
customers, especially in light of what we are currently facing with
regards to our noise abatement.”
Posting on Facebook, ‘dee Dave Friend’ hailed members of staff for their
“prompt and professional” manner during the evacuation.
Kent Police officers are investigating the incident. Anyone who may
have any information is asked to call them on 101, quoting reference ZY/47099/16.
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Latest news I have heard 20 February 2012, the leasehold is for sale at
£200,000.
December 2015, the pub appears to be for sale for £100,000.
Latest news is their last day in operation will be Saturday 15th July
2017. What happens after this date if someone could please let me know I'll
advertise it here.
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From
http://www.kentonline.co.uk By Mercury reporter. 16 July 2017.
Hole in the Roof pub in Deal set to close following sale of building.
A pub renowned for its live music will call last orders for the final
time at the weekend.
The team at the "Hole in the Roof," celebrated for bringing big name acts
to the town, such as The Hoosiers, Wishbone Ash and Electric Six, will
say farewell to its punters on Saturday night.
In an emotional announcement, its management said it is with “great
regret and sadness” it will be closing.
It follows a difficult period for the Queen Street venue, which was
served with a noise abatement order at the end of last year by Dover
District Council, but management say the closure is due to it being
sold.
“The building has been purchased and announcements will be made via the
local press what will happen in the future shortly.
“All the staff and the owners would like to express their warm thanks to
all customers and appreciate all the kind thoughts and help towards the
noise abatement we have had to face over the last year.”
The order led to live music and entertainment being cancelled
temporarily while manager Richard Harris launched an appeal against the
decision.
He started a petition calling on the community to support the venue and
collected more than 1,700 signatures.
In the document, Mr Harris said the order would have a dramatic impact.
“The premises has operated as a late-night entertainment venue with
local and nationally known acts/DJs,” he said at the time.
“Within Deal itself, and the wider area, there is a distinct lack of
music venues or safely operated premises which can offer the style of
entertainment the "Hole In The Roof" has provided.
“If the noise abatement order continues to overrule the use of music in
the premises, the foreseeable future of the premises will be in
jeopardy.”
Soundproofing was later installed to enable it to continue as a music
venue.
In a message to customers, the management says its final night of trade
will be on Saturday, with free entry and drinks offers, and they will
stay open until 2am or 3am depending on how busy it is.
Andy Steele, spokesman for Dover District Council, said the "Hole in the
Roof" proprietors were contacted in 2014 following complaints about noise
at the pub.
“The council worked with the owners to explore solutions but complaints
continued and after noise disturbances were witnessed on a number of
occasions, a noise abatement notice was served in November 2016,” he
said.
“We continue to work with the owners following ongoing concerns from the
community about noise levels earlier this year.
“To the best of our knowledge, the premises are closing for
refurbishment only.”
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From the Dover Express, 16 July 2017.
McDonald's rejects drive-thru at closed Deal pub rumours.
MCDONALD’S has addressed rumours it is to open a new drive-thru
restaurant in the old Hole In The Roof pub in Deal.
The Hole In The Roof in Queen Street called final last orders last week
following a farewell party -sparking gossip among locals that McDonald’s
was to move into the premises.
Quashed.
However, a spokesman for the burger giant quashed suggestions it is to
move into the old bar in the town centre - but explained it is still
hoping to open in Deal and is “monitoring opportunities in the area”.
The spokesman said: “McDonald’s is interested in investing in Deal as we
believe this would have a positive impact on the area and provide new
jobs for local people.
“Whilst there are currently no
concrete plans, we continue to monitor for opportunities in the area.”
The rumours came after the Express revealed last year the fast food
chain is on the look-out for more places to open drive-thru restaurants
in Kent.
McDonald’s listed ten places in Kent where they want to open up on their
website, including Deal, Dover and Folkestone.
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Latest news I have heard it that the pub have been bought by a company
called "Stonegate" (of Slugand Lettuce and Yates fame) and who are investing
£400,000 on renovations and once complete will be changing the name to the
"Queen Street Tap."
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From the Dover Mercury, 26 July 2017. By Eleanor Perkins.
Beers continue to flow at pub site.
A prominent town centre venue is to carry on as a pub despite
speculation it could be Deal’s first McDonald’s.
The Mercury revealed last week that the fast-food giant was not
interested in the Hole in the Roof, which closed earlier this month, but
details of the new owner were unknown.
This week it emerged that the
Queen Street hostelry has been taken over by the Stonegate Pub Company,
which own Slug and Lettuce and Yates chains.
However, the "Queen Street Tap" as it will be called will not come under
either brand as the firm takes a more independent approach with a focus
on craft beers, chic cocktails and handcrafted street food.
They will also offer live music, hi-tech sports viewing and a modem
garden.
The pub chain has pledged to fork out £400,000 on renovating
the building and create 25 new jobs. Previous staff will also return as
part of the deal.
If all goes to plan, it will reopen on Saturday, August 26.
Simon Longbottom, chief executive for Stonegate Pub Company, said: “This
is an exciting expansion for Stonegate.
“Creating independent venues, with local people at our core is massively
important to us, so to have the privilege of developing a venue
demonstrating the love for pubs and craft beer in the area is great.
“We can’t wait to welcome customers, the existing team whose jobs have
been saved, and our new recruits.”
Final plans for the opening will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The "Hole in the Roof" shut its doors for the last time in the early hours
of Sunday, July 16, following a “well-attended and trouble-free” final
night of trade.
Manager Richard Harris, who has been there for three years, said it was
with “great regret and sadness” it had been forced to close due to it
being sold.
The pub was the "Swan" until the late 1990s and was then renovated,
reopening as the "Hole in the Roof" around the turn of the millennium. It
gained a reputation as a nightspot and eaterie.
In recent years, under the latest management, it has brought big name
acts, such as The Hoosiers, Wishbone Ash and Electric Six, to the town.
It follows a difficult period for the Queen Street venue, which was
served with a noise abatement order at the end of last year by Dover
District Council.
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From the Dover Express, 27 July 2017.
By Lauren MacDougall
New owners to re-open pub with £400k revamp.
Popular watering hole will change its name but keep all current staff, The Hole in the Roof’s new owner has been revealed.
THE pub chain taking over The Hole In The Roof in Deal has finally been
announced.
Stonegate Pub Company will be moving into the former music venue and
bar in Deal town centre.
The pub chain has confirmed it is the new owner of the popular pub and
has already brought in a transformation team, ploughing a massive
£400,000 into creating the newly-named "Queen Street Tap."
Previous employees at The Hole In The Roof will keep their jobs as part
of the deal, and 25 additional roles have been created.
Exciting.
Simon Longbottom, chief executive for Stonegate Pub Company, which owns
national chains including Slug & Lettuce and Yates’s, said: “This is an
exciting expansion for Stonegate. Creating independent venues, with
local people at our core is massively important to us, so to have the
privilege of developing a venue demonstrating the love for pubs and
craft beer in the area is great.
“We can’t wait to welcome customers, the existing team whose jobs have
been saved, and our new recruits.”
The Hole In The Roof called its final last orders last week following a
farewell party, sparking
all sorts of gossip among locals as to what would move into the now
empty building.
Stonegate’s announcement comes after speculation in the town that their
brands Slug & Lettuce and Yates’s were to move onto the site. Instead,
the company will tailor the all-new "Queen Street Tap"
to local needs, introducing cutting-edge craft beers, chic cocktails,
handcrafted street food, live music and the ultimate in hi-tech sports
viewing.
Even the garden is promising to be the best, aiming to wow locals with
its modern touches.
According to a spokesman for Stonegate, the company is renowned for its
award-winning career paths, training and management, and the chain’s
arrival is positive not only for locals who can expect a great service.
McDonald’s was previously rumoured to be taking over Queen Street
watering hole. But these whisperings were quickly quashed by the fast
food giant.
The venue had been under threat from a noise abatement order - a move
which sparked more than 1,200 people to sign a petition in its support.
But management confirmed the closure was due to the building being sold
rather than direct enforcement action by Dover District Council.
Final plans for the opening of "Queen Street Tap" will be revealed in
coming weeks.
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LICENSEE LIST
BAILEY Phil 2002+
LYNCH Paul & Kathy 2004-11+
HARVEY Richard May/2015+
HARRIS Richard 2016+
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