UK’s biggest Wetherspoons to close until next month ahead of huge £750k renovation
THE country's biggest Wetherspoons is closing for nearly a month - with plans for a big refurbishment.
The Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate is the largest Wetherspoons in the UK.
Having opened in 2017, the 11,000sqm pub is right on the seaside town's beach, with space for 1,500 people.
However a sign in the pub has warned punters not to rock up for the next month, as it is set to close for a renovation.
The sign reads: "Wetherspoons refurbishment at Royal Victoria Pavilion.
"This pub will be closed from Monday 11 November, reopening on Saturday 7 December 2024.
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"We apologise for any inconvenience."
Drinkers were told their nearest Wetherspoons during the closure would be The Mechanical Elephant in Margate.
The renovation will cost around £750,000, which will include a larger mezzanine level on the top of the pub.
A new 'bespoke' carpet and an enclosed area at the back of the pub will overlook the beach.
Pub manager Chris Whitbourn said: “Wetherspoon is spending £750,000 on the pub, providing further substantial investment into the area.
“Myself and my team will look forward to welcoming customers back into Royal Victoria Pavilion, in December, and we are confident that they will be impressed by the refurbishment.”
The pub, now a Grade-II listed building, was built in 1903 as a concert and assembly hall.
Over the years, it was turned into both a casino and nightclub and then closed in 2008.
Wetherspoons then spent £4.5million on turning it into a pub.
Set across two floors, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.
If you do find yourself in Ramsgate when the pub is closed, there are other attractions to visit.
This includes the only royal harbour in the UK, as well as Ramsgate Tunnels.
What is it like to visit the UK's biggest Wetherspoons
The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey went down to visit.
"Despite it's size and even on a Monday afternoon, I struggled to get one by the window as most people sit around the edges to be near one of the many beach views.
"Sadly staff said there was no good or bad time to find a spot, saying they are always the popular seats.
"A local told me they often come to the pub, despite living in the nearby Margate which has its own Wetherspoons.
"If you are a fan of the Spoons pubs, then it is definitely worth a day trip - many of my friends in London were even discussing planning a pilgrimage to it."
Other pubs include The Belle Vue Tavern as well as the Hovelling Boat Inn, a micro pub.
Otherwise there are some other beautiful Wetherspoons in other seaside towns too.
There is the Samuel Peto in Folkestone which is built in a former church - and we went down to try it out.
The Sir Henry Segrave in Southport is to reopen with a new hotel and 'tower suite'
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Or if you don't need the beach, here's what to expect from the new £2.8million The Lion and The Unicorn which opened earlier this year in London Waterloo.
We've even rounded up the 10 most beautiful Wetherspoons in the UK.