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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Max Chesson, 8 May 2023.
Quart in a Pint Pot pub in Margate set for new lease of life, says new owner Tom Gidley.
A once thriving historic pub which recently fell into rack and ruin
could receive a fresh breath of life.
The Quart in a Pint Pot, based in Charlotte Square, Margate, closed
its doors in 2021 marking the end of an almost 200 year era.
But its new owner has revealed “crazy” plans to bring the
“higgledy-piggledy” tavern back into use.
Artist Tom Gidley shelled out £350,000 for the property with hopes
to transform it into a new home and community space.
The 54-year-old explained: “Primarily it’s a home for me and my
wife, it’s a workspace for both of us.”
“But at the front there will be a dedicated space for art
exhibitions and projects, working mostly with local artists. I very
much want there to be an ongoing engagement.”
The games room at the back of the pub will form part of the private
living space.
“It’s a time of real change in Margate, I’ve been coming here for
more than 25 years.
“There’s an opportunity to do something a bit different here and
bring in an educational element, we can have talks and events and
make it open to all.
“It’s most certainly not going to be a commercial art space for the
few.”
If Thanet District Council approves the plans, the front will be
overhauled into a community space.
The rest will be hopefully become a four-bed home and painting
studio, Mr Gidley explained.
The interior of the pub will be cleared out and completely transformed.
Constructed in the early 1800s, the first known use of the building
as a tavern was in 1839.
It is believed to have been converted from terraced houses which
made its frame up.
Later, a turret-like folly and flagpole were built on the roof,
giving it a castle-like appearance.
Formerly known as the "George and Dragon," it was renamed the
"Quart in
a Pint Pot" to celebrate its new freehold status in the 1970s, it is
understood.
Former owner Thorley Taverns sold off the venue in 2011 to focus on
its seafront venues amid tricky trading conditions.
Chang Jing Wang took over the reins for 10 years however, as the pub
industry took a downturn he would eventually fail to break even.
Following his death in 2021 the once bustling nineteenth century inn
close its doors in August the same year.
Now, Tom believes pubs are “not going to come back” and fresh
approaches need to be taken for their preservation.
The turret was added on as part of one of the buildings many
extensions.
“Pubs are gone, pubs are disappearing and they’re not going to come
back so you have to be realistic about the future of buildings like
this,” the 54-year-old explained.
“It’s important to me the pub can work with the changing community.”
“So many pubs are disappearing and are removed completely from the
public realm, the ambition here is to return the structure to its
former glory, it was a very handsome pub back in its day.
“We also want to restore the turret, which is such a distinctive
feature of the building.”
The front of the pub will be converted into a community space.
Mr Gidley moved to Ramsgate in 2019 with his wife Francesca who
currently runs the Margate Bookshop.
If the district council gives the green light, Mr Gidley hopes new
life will be breathed into the pub next spring.
Having bought the property last July for £350,000, Mr Gidley
believes costs could ramp up a further £200,000.
The works could cost around £200,000.
“I must admit I viewed the building a few times before I made the
offer because it’s in such disrepair, it’s such a higgledy-piggledy
building,” the Birmingham-born artist explained.
“I couldn’t get my head round it, I thought it was crazy, maybe
impossible but I changed my mind and I’m glad we did.
“The more I look at it and the more we work on it the more I realise
what a fantastic space it is.
“I think when you come in, you’ll have a strong sense of both the
building as a historical building and also how it’s been put
together.”
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