World’s BIGGEST Wetherspoons has secret weapon that gives it an edge, say punters at pub with room for hundreds
THE world’s biggest Wetherspoons can hold 1,500 people, but a sneaky perk is said to be what separates the boozer from its smaller siblings.
The Ramsgate watering hole – known as the Royal Victoria Pavilion – sits on the seafront and welcomes hundreds of guests every week.
The pub’s secret weapon is the outdoor terrace, which boasts a stunning view of the sea-front and stretches to the side allowing a panorama of the bustling harbour for up to 200 customers.
The grade II listed building started out as a concert hall and assembly rooms designed by architect Stanley Davenport Adshead in 1904.
Based on the style of a Robert Adam orangery, the interior is said to be derived from the Little Theatre at Versailles and was simplified in the 1930s.
After being a nightclub, then a casino, the venue closed its doors in 2008.
But in August 2017, the formerly abandoned building was transformed into a Wetherspoons pub and welcomed customers for the first time in nearly a decade.
With 11,000 square feet of drinking space spread across two floors and 400 seats, the popular drinking spot can hold a staggering 1,500 punters.
Following an eye-watering £4.5 million renovation, the inside features a grand staircase which leads to a carpeted mezzanine balcony which overlooks the huge wood-panelled bar.
Ornate hanging lights illuminate the drinkers gathered around circular bar stools below and the building is set in the pretty harbour area of the seaside town.
Some of the original pavilion features remain as a nod to the building’s past, including the classic circular windows.
Derek Bates, in his mid 70s, a retired NHS manager who has lived in Ramsgate for 44 years said: “I’ve been here hundreds of times.
“It’s purely about being able to sit here with the view in the nice weather.
“This is probably the best Wetherspoons.”
Adrian Bates, 51, casino worker said: “I think this is the nicest Wetherspoons I’ve been in. I worked here for 14 years when it was a casino.
“It’s unrecognisable – there used to be no upstairs so the staircase wasn’t there.
“It was totally different, the only thing that remains the same is the front doors. They’ve definitely given it a new lease of life, I think it’s a very good use of the building.”
Jackie Richardson, 67, a retired lawyer said: “I like the open space, it’s big enough and you always get served.
“This has a nicer environment than other Wetherspoons, the outside terrace gives it an edge.”
Rose Neale, 70, a retired wages clerk said: “This is one of the best pubs around.
“If I’m in the area this is always my go-to, the ambience is my favourite part and being outside in the fresh air.
“Everybody here is very friendly and you’ve got a good selection of food. It’s got everything.”
Christopher Palmer, 55, a labourer who was born and raised in Ramsgate said: “I’ve done lots of other Wetherspoons.
“This is the flagship, It’s beautiful, it’s right on the beach. You can’t beat it.
“I’ve been in many others and they’re all subpar compared to this.
“This is definitely an improvement on the space that was here in the past – it used to be a nightclub and now it’s a family oriented restaurant.
“They’ve taken advantage of the amazing views without a doubt.”
Sophie Street, 20, a student said: “I go to university in Canterbury and I thought it’s a nice day I should go to the coast so I’ve never been here before.
“It’s a lovely view, it’s stunning.
“It’s really accessible as well, I literally got the bus from just across the road so it’s really nice and easy to get to.
“And Wetherspoons are cheap so it’s a win win.”
Sunny McHugh, 21, a student said: “I had a recommendation – one of my friends said to come because they’d been here before.
“I usually get a Malibu coke but I got a strawberry daiquiri today.
“I definitely think being here has changed what I want to get.
“It’s like we’re on holiday in March.”
Andrea Dale, 56, a mother to six and grandmother to seven said: “I’ve been here before, I like the balcony overlooking the sea.
“The one in Margate is the same but their balcony is really really tiny so when I’ve got my grandchildren with me we can’t get the pram out, so we tend to come to this one.”
Samantha Dale, 30, who has always lived in Ramsgate said: “The view is what makes it here. It’s so spacious and great to soak up some sun.”
Shams Rahman, 34, a student born in Ramsgate said: “I like the building with the interior and the balcony.
“It’s historic and the way that they redecorated it, they tried to keep a lot of the history so it doesn’t feel like they’ve tried to make it brand new. It feels like they’ve restored it.
“It’s nice to sit outside and it’s different from being in another Wetherspoons in a city centre.”
Wetherspoons: The gift that keeps on giving
Being the one of the biggest pub chains in the UK means stories involving the boozer come in thick and fast - here are just a few of the ones we have covered.
Brothers James Dyer, an assistant product manager, and Matt Dyer, a timetable planner for a railway company, both 25, have travelled across the country on their unique mission.
Together they visited 400 Wetherspoons pubs to rate an unusual item in every one.
Elsewhere, a randy couple were caught getting frisky in the toilets of Wetherspoons.
The cheeky pair allegedly refused to come out of the loos after staff-members heard suspect noises coming from the cubicle.
When the police arrived on the scene, they pepper sprayed the punters before removing them from the venue, reports revealed.
And, a hilarious video caught the dramatic moment Wetherspoon pub-goers jumped onto tables and chairs after spotting a rat scurrying around their feet.
The rodent wreaked havoc at the Bishop Vesey Wetherspoon pub in Birmingham earlier this month, where Sean Maguire was drinking with friends.
Finally, this man revealed that he went to the best rated Wetherspoons in the UK.
Callum Ryan, a content creator and presenter, who previously appeared on Rich Kids Go Skint, was left stunned at the pub, which was in an insane venue in Tunbridge Wells.
Neighbours of the behemoth boozer include several other pubs and restaurants as well as British seaside classics with fish and chip shops, amusements and ice cream kiosks.
Carley Muslun, 38, who works at Boulevard Kiosk next to the pub said: “The wetherspoons has not affected trade as much as people think, it’s different people that come to the beach for Wetherspoons and different people come for an ice cream.
“We’re quite lucky here, the pub is so easy and convenient.
“You can sit on the balcony on a sunny day and order your drinks and they come to your table.
“The view makes this better than other Wetherspoons.
“I’m from Epsom originally, there’s a big Wetherspoons there but the view here is a lot nicer. It’s a good thing what they’ve done with the venue.
“It was left empty before and I think any building in a seaside town that isn’t left empty is better – you’re bringing people in.”
Hannah Todd, 25, a student who works in a nearby ice cream shop said: “I think they’ve done a really good job with the balcony – it’s really vibey in the summer, it’s always busy. It’s lovely up there.
“I’m not a massive fan of it overall though.
“My family own food and drink businesses locally and when you’ve got £10 for lunch and a drink compared to £12 for lunch and £4 for a drink it just doesn’t happen.
“The footfall hasn’t been what it was but it’s nice that the building’s not empty anymore. I grew up here and it was derelict, I’d never seen it alive before.
“But now that it is alive, it’s taking business away from all of us who really need it, especially in the cost of living that we’re in.
“Every business needs more customers – this is getting a lot of customers and we are not.”
This comes after a Haven resort opened the first ever Wetherspoons at a holiday park earlier this month
Earlier this year, the much-loved UK pub chain confirmed that it would be opening a new venue at the Haven Primrose Valley Holiday Park in Filey.