From the East Kent Mercury, 27 October 2011.

WETHERSPOON PUB BID FOR TOWN SITE

Top Pub Chain WD Wetherspoon is aiming to move into Deal town centre, investing around £1 million and employing about 40 people.

Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade has welcomed the move, although there are reservations from other pub businesses.

The Watford-based company has applied for the former Job centre building in Queen Street and the district council is inviting comments about the proposed opening times.

Press officer Eddie Gershon said: "Wetherspoon has enjoyed great success throughout Kent in the past 15 years and the company is keen to open in the town.

"We would love to be in Deal. We have shown our intent and are in negotiations with the owners.

"Wetherspoon usually spends in excess of £1 million on its pubs and employs about 40-50 people, in part-time and full-time jobs.

"We are very keen to open in Deal, subject to all the necessary permission."

Proposed opening times are shown on notices in the windows of the empty premises, formally occupied by a furniture store, which has now moved into the High Street.

Andy Stevens from the Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade said the arrival of Wetherspoons should be applauded.

He added: "It is really good to see Deal bucking the trend when some other towns' streets are declining.

"It is great to see big names putting their faith in Deal and realising what a wonderful town this is. Long may this continue.

"Wetherspoon will provide a timely boost to the local economy and would be good for jobs too."

PROTEST TO COUNCIL

Paul Lynch, owner of the hotel, cafe and bar, "Hole in the Roof, said he was protesting to the district council about the Wetherspoon application.

He said: "I don't think Queen Street needs another pub. It will create noise and with a take-away pizza house opening nearby soon, there will be extra traffic. It is all about environmental issues." he added that his views were reflected by other pub businesses in town.

Above pictures of the proposed premises when Penny Bearman was commissioned to make the former closed premises more attractive in 2009.

From the Dover Mercury, 10 November, 2011. 70p

ANOTHER LARGE NAIL IN COFFIN OF SMALL PUBS

I HAVE seen many changes in the pub trade in my time in the business, but I do not like what is happening out there today!

I was shocked and very disappointed when I heard that the JD Wetherspoon pub chain is being allowed to move into Deal very shortly.

It's just another large nail in the coffin for the independent traditional public house. On average, there are 10 pubs closing per week in this country. Just recently the "Lord Nelson" on The Strand the "Hare and Hounds" at Northbourne closed, and there will be more.

The government and the local authorities are forever telling us publicans to stop encouraging the 'yob and binge drinking culture' but I believe letting this pub chain come into our town promoting their cheap beer and spirits will end up with us local publicans having to pick up the pieces and getting the blame for the damage done to the town.

I would also like to point out that Wetherspoons may be going to employ 40-something local people, but Deal publicans have been employing many, many more than 40 local people over the time we have been trading in the town!

So I would like to say 'thanks' to our wonderful government and local councils for letting this pub chain into Deal and helping the local pubs to close quicker than 10 a week.

So let JD Wetherspoon come to our town and ruin the High Street; because they will. Goodbye the traditional British pub in Deal.

Graham Stiles, publican, the "King's Head," Beach Street, Deal.

From the Dover Mercury, 24 November, 2011. 70p

YOUNG DRINKERS ARE ALREADY A PROBLEM

How depressing to think that the licensing authority would even contemplate letting Wetherspoon into a town that already has problems with drinkers.

Setting aside the deplorable effect it would have on the independent licensees in the area, what possible benefits can it bring to a place once renowned for the historical interest and quirky individuality of its shops and buildings? Jobs, of course, but what sort of jobs? Presumably the best it will offer is a stream of low-paid, uninspiring "traineeships".

What exactly will the employees be left with at the end of their apprenticeships? Presumably the know-how to open a pub of their own, the only snag being that there won't be any. Just dreary, soulless barns with piped music.

The Deal Society has long been dedicated to fostering interest in the many intriguing and unique features of the town.

It is tempting to wonder if another organisation, possibly more covert, is currently engaged in draining the place of every vestige of originality and character and propelling it at speed to a point where it may be invited to twin itself with a deserted industrial estate or motorway service station.

Sarah Grazebrook, Cherry Lane, Deal.