Latest news with #ChrisWhitbourn
Edinburgh Live
02-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Man spends 17 hours at Britain's biggest Wetherspoons and bill leaves him floored
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, Kent stands out for many reasons. It's not only the largest establishment in the Wetherspoons franchise but it also boasts a prime beachfront location. Manager Chris Whitbourn, who's been at the helm since its opening eight years ago, has noted that the pub's carpets undergo twice the usual rate of replacement due to sandy-footed patrons tracking in residue from the nearby beach. Despite its vast size, the venue is frequently bustling with punters starting their day from 8am, and sometimes even ending it at 1am – that's up to 17 hours spent within its walls. One such dedicated customer managed just that, resulting in an impressively modest bill. READ MORE - Amanda Owen's son Reuben's 'disastrous setback' during big birthday celebrations READ MORE - Edinburgh to be hit with thunderstorms as rain sets in over capital Last year saw the pub receiving a hefty £750,000 refurbishment, now allowing an additional 100 customers atop its already staggering capacity of 1,400. Chris, age 41, divulged details about the upgrade during the temporary closure to the Mirror, stating there were several simultaneous tasks to address. "There's a lot of things that needed doing at the same time," he remarked, reports the Mirror. He stressed the significance of external redecoration as it enhances the town's aesthetics. "Doing the garden has been something we wanted to do for a long time and just with the timing of it, we could do it all at once." During the refurbishment, numerous staff members were temporarily reassigned to nearby Wetherspoons pubs. The Grade-II listed building first welcomed patrons as a JD Wetherspoon pub in 2017, following a £4.5 million revamp. The structure, designed by architect Stanley Davenport Adshead in 1903 to resemble a Robert Adam orangery, was formerly a derelict pavilion that had been empty for nine years prior to being acquired by Tim Martin's firm. (Image: KMG / SWNS) (Image: PA) (Image: PA) Wetherspoons enthusiast David Bingham, who embarked on a four-year "longest pub crawl in history" visiting all of the Wetherspoons pubs in the British Isles, regards the Royal Victoria as the gem of the Wetherspoons collection. Speaking to the BBC, he said: "The one in Ramsgate is my favourite because the history behind that building is incredible,". David estimates that his extensive fact-finding mission cost him around £30,000, including travel expenses, beverages, and overnight accommodation. He pointed out the threat facing traditional British pubs, noting that approximately 40 of the 875 pubs he visited had shut down by the time he completed his journey. According to the latest data from the British Beer and Pub Association [BBPA], nearly 300 pubs closed across England and Wales in 2024 - an average of six per week. (Image: Mirrorpix) (Image: KMG / SWNS) These closures, totalling 289 over the past year, resulted in the loss of roughly 4,500 jobs. Industry insiders attribute these closures to several factors, including rising costs, shifting social trends, and competition from inexpensive supermarket alcohol. Emma McClarkin, the BBPA's CEO, commented on the severity of pub closures: "The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade. Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being eroded by astronomical bills and pubs are bracing themselves for further rates and costs come April." She continued by expressing support for Labour's economic plans: "We're right behind Labour's mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open." McClarkin underscored the urgency for government intervention: "Government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities." While Wetherspoons competes fiercely with supermarket pricing, The Daily Mail's Harry Wallop was surprised during a 17-hour period spent in the Royal Victoria Wetherspoon when he was offered a pint for just £1.79; starkly contrasted with the average price of a pint in the UK, which stands at £4.83 according to the Office for National Statistics. Wallop also noted that his daily expenditure amounted to a mere £41.44, accounting for "three square meals, 3 pints, a cocktail and a whisky and soda nightcap." Despite Wetherspoons perhaps not topping the charts in terms of trendiness, Tim Martin's efforts to rejuvenate an industry facing decline are likely ensuring that British pubs remain a cultural staple for future generations.
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Secrets of Britain's biggest Wetherspoons - carpet rule and visitor warning
Wetherspoon pubs can be the perfect choice if you're looking for a quick bite and a cheap pint but be warned - even Britain's biggest Wetherspoons comes with a warning Love 'em or hate 'em, 'Spoons pubs have a special place in British culture and some of them like the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, Kent don't just offer affordable food and drink but are also in stunning locations. This one right on the beach is the largest of all the 795 pubs operated by JD Wetherspoon, the company set up by Sir Tim Martin, and has two floors offering up to 1,400 customers 100 separate beer and wine options. Not only is it right on the beach, the Royal Victoria is a grade II-listed Edwardian seaside pavilion and over half its 353 tables overlook the sea. But while it might be in a beautiful spot, the venue's manager, Chris Whitbourn, 41, who has run the pub since it opened in the summer of 2017, says its location can cause problems. Because it's situated right on the beach, the sandy feet of customers means they need to replace the carpet every five years, rather than once a decade. And Mirror writer Amber O'Connor who lives in Ramsgate says although she is a regular, it should come with a warning. 'The world's largest Wetherspoons just so happens to be my local pub,' she says. 'It's the place I go to enjoy a cheap drink with my hometown friends, and the spot to grab a quick bite after a busy day out. 'But I always warn visitors to manage their expectations if they plan to trek halfway across the country, keen to visit the one-of-a-kind boozer. 'Let's start with the good stuff. When you approach the 11,000sq ft pub from the royal harbour, it's hard not to be impressed. The sheer size of the eatery is attention grabbing, as is the wraparound balcony. 'Thanks to a £4.5million renovation, it is equally jaw-dropping inside the former concert hall. While the venue can hold up to 1,400 people, it feels light and airy even during busier nights. I remember I felt like I'd walked inside a cruise ship on my first visit, perhaps inspired by the Titanic-esque staircase. 'I had a nice evening, don't get me wrong. But it was nothing to write home about. The service was fast, the drinks were cheap, and the atmosphere was fine, but the food left us wanting more.' That said, most 'Spoons fans love it because of the cheap food and drinks and don't expect a Michelin star experience when eating at a chain pub. 'Nobody has any serious complaints,' Amber adds. 'But it's nothing radically new, even though the view always goes down a treat. Come and enjoy the 'Super Spoons' for what it is - and be charmed by our little corner of Kent. 'The giant boozer certainly isn't our only attraction - we've got a wealth of independent businesses to champion and plenty of seaside charm. But it is one of the fixtures of our lovely town, a familiar sight among the seagulls, chippies, and little boats in the harbour.'
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man spends 17 hours at UK's biggest Wetherspoons and bill leaves him floored
With the nation's boozers under threat, the UK's – and the world's – largest Wetherspoons is on a mission to challenge cheap supermarket alcohol prices The Royal Victoria Pavilion, in Ramsgate, Kent, is remarkable in a number of different ways. Not only is it the largest pub in the Wetherspoons chain, it also has arguably the best location – right on the beach. Chris Whitbourn, who has been the manager of the Royal Victoria since it opened eight years ago, says the boozer's carpets need to be replaced twice as often as any other pub's, because so many customers come in with sandy feet. Despite its huge size, the pub is often very busy, with customers arriving from 8am, and, in some rare cases, staying until 1am – a potential 17-hour shift. One intrepid explorer recently did just that – and came out with an astoundingly low bill. The pub underwent a massive £750,000 upgrade at the end of last year, adding room for an extra 100 punters to its already mind-boggling 1,4000 capacity. Chris, 41, explained to the Mirror that while the Royal Victoria was temporarily closed, he took the opportunity to get a few more little jobs done. 'There's a lot of things that needed doing at the same time,' he explained. 'It was important that we did the external redecoration to keep it looking good for the whole of the town. "Doing the garden has been something we wanted to do for a long time and just with the timing of it, we could do it all at once.' Many staff members were temporarily relocated to neighbouring Spoons pubs during the refurbishment. JD Wetherspoon had first opened its doors in the Grade-II listed building in 2017, following a £4.5 million makeover. The building, designed by architect Stanley Davenport Adshead in 1903 to look like a Robert Adam orangery, was previously a derelict pavilion that had been vacant for nine years before being taken over by Tim Martin 's company. Wetherspoons superfan David Bingham, who visited all of the Wetherspoon pubs in the British Isles on his epic four-year 'longest pub crawl in history' rates the Royal Victoria as the jewel in Wetherspoons' crown: "The one in Ramsgate is my favourite because the history behind that building is incredible,' he told the BBC. David added that had had probably spent in the region of £30,000 on his epic fact-finding mission, including travel fares, drinks and overnight stays. Highlighting the threat to the great British pub, he says that of the 875 boozers he had visited, around 40 had closed down by the time he finished his trek. Just under 300 pubs closed across England and Wales in 2024 – an average of six every week - according to latest figures from the British Beer and Pub Association [BBPA]. There were 289 closures in the past year, at the cost of around 4,500 jobs. Industry insiders blame a number of factors, including rising prices, changing social trends, and competition from cheap supermarket booze. Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA, said: 'The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade. Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April. "We're right behind Labour's mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open. "Government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities." Certainly, Wetherspoons is doing its best to compete in the supermarket price wars. The Daily Mail 's Harry Wallop, who recently spent 17 hours in the Royal Victoria, was astounded to be offered a pint for just £1.79; the average UK pint costs £4.83 according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. He added that his expenses for the day were a comparatively modest £41.44, and included 'three square meals, 3 pints, a cocktail and a whisky & soda nightcap.' Wetherspoons is never going to be the most fashionable pub – there's simply too many of them for that – but Tim Martin's bid to disrupt a dying industry is at least ensuring that the country's boozers are safe for at least one more generation.
