By Jackie Annett
Love 鈥榚m or hate 鈥榚m, 鈥楽poons 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥機onnor who lives in Ramsgate says although she is a regular, it should come with a warning. 鈥淭he world’s largest Wetherspoons just so happens to be my local pub,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t’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. 鈥淏ut 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 . 鈥淟et’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. 鈥淭hanks to a 拢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. 鈥淚 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.鈥 That said, most 鈥楽poons fans love it because of the cheap food and drinks and don鈥檛 expect a Michelin star experience when eating at a chain pub. 鈥淣obody has any serious complaints,鈥 Amber adds. 鈥淏ut 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. 鈥淭he 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.鈥