Bandstand - rumours and speculation

Just weeks away from a deal

The café bar at the Bandstand is about to change hands, with a mystery punter just weeks away from taking over the whole seafront building, sources claim. Owners the Thorley family have told the Times they are close to a deal that would see their lease handed over to another business.

They refused to name the interested party, citing commercial sensitivity, but spokesman Phil Thorley said:

"We're in the middle of negotiations. That's all I can tell you. But we expect a deal very soon, hopefully within two weeks."

Speculation about the future of the Victorian seafront building has mounted since pub boss Frank Thorley told the Times he was looking to get out of the building – and blamed the council for the excessive rent it was charging.

Council sources told the Times at the time that the Café Bar owners had threatened the council with legal action after a row over the council's 20-year rent package for neighbouring Makcaris, which included a three-year rent-free period. After a secret meeting councillors agreed to a rent-reduction for the café bar as well.

The seafront site has been looked at by a number of Bay businessmen, including the boss of the Ship and Plough pubs, Tony Farrow, as well as Vivid nightclub owner Karl Ahmad. Makcari's bosses the Hassan family denied they were the bidders, after speculation mounted that the coffee parlour owners would be taking over. Makcari's boss Hassan Hassan said:

"It's categorically not us. I've given up trying to keep track of who is meant to be taking it over. Most sensible people have looked at the site and concluded it's just too expensive."

HB Times 3rd Feb 2012

Relaunch of The Ship

Centuries of Herne Bay heritage will continue when the Ship Inn opens its doors once more. The seafront pub has been closed since last summer but has a new man at the helm is Kings Caterers boss Tony Farrow. The dad-of-two, 46, has taken the keys to the 14th century building and is eagerly awaiting its grand reopening next Thursday, 11th February. With no TVs, no sport and only background music, he says he wants the place to befit the motto: The way pubs were, not the way they are. He said:

“There’s a good local pub and great sports bar around the corner, and a cheap place for the youngsters along the seafront. But that’s not what we’re after. We want this to be a place for the mums and dads of Herne Bay - for couples looking for a relaxing drink and a nice meal. We want the older clientele. We want ladies to be able to come out for a drink and not feel intimidated by a bunch of men at the bar. I can openly say we will be the most expensive pub in the town, but reassuringly expensive with complimentary nuts and olives.”

Tony was handed the keys in December and has spent three months and thousands of pounds refurbishing the pub. He said:

“The upstairs has been redone, we’ve had a complete redecoration and have a brand new kitchen, new furniture and new CCTV. I’m really pleased with how it looks. It’s taken a lot of hard work but we’re finally there. We wanted it to look fresher, but have maintained a lot of the pub’s original features. The place is steeped in history and we want it to stay that way.”

With Tony taking a back seat in the day-to-day running of the pub, he’s bought in Simon Wildon and former Wine Bar owner Tony Knight to manage the place. With opening day approaching, Tony says he’s confident his first stint in the pub game will be a success:

“Reopening the pub has created eight full-time jobs, and they’ve all gone to local people with experience. They’re a great bunch and I’m sure they’re going to do I very well. I really do think it’s going to work out well. We’re all very excited. It was a great opportunity for me and one I hope to I expand on in the future. We’ve always had a good  relationship with the town and I hope it continues.”

HB Gazette 2010-02-04

Historic Inn reopening

The Ship lnn is afloat again. After months of being boarded up, she’s ready to take on passengers. The man behind the transformation is 48-year-old businessman Tony Farrow, who has sunk thousands into the venture. He said: “I’d rather not think about the cost. It’s an awful lot. But Herne Bay needs a venue like this.”

He is steering the 285-year old seafront pub upmarket in a bid to win back custom from mums and dads. Mr Farrow who also runs Kings Caterers and is the main booker of acts at the Kings Hall, said:

“Herne Bay has a number of good pubs but not many for mums and dads. I want it to be reassuringly expensive. Our beers will be £3.20 a pint but we will provide complementary nibbles and olives at the bar. Herne Bay is screaming out for a pub like this. I want it to be like the way pubs were, rather than the way they are. We have put in beers like Bass, Flowers, Stella, Becks, draught cider and Guinness and taken out Sky TV, the pool table and the jukebox.”

Town manager Chris West has seen it and is chuffed to bits.

“I am hoping we are out of the worst of the recession and 2010 will be a good year: I’d like this to be an asset for the town and help it grow again.“

He has retained the old world atmosphere of the ancient timber beams, but decked the inside with refurbished furniture from the posh Hilton hotel chain. He has also taken on former Wine Bar boss Trevor Knight and newcomer Simon Wildon as managers. Simon has been head-hunted from Anchor Catering which supplies Kings Caterers. Mr Farrow said:

“He is new to the pub trade but really good with customers. All the bar staff are people who have helped me at Kings Caterers.”

There has been a building on the Central Parade site since 1383 and an ale house since 1725. The new venture, backed by Enterprise Inns, has created eight full-time jobs including three in the new-look kitchen. Mr Farrow who started his career selling food to pubs, took over the building on December 21. It reopens on Thursday February 11th.

HB Times 2010-02-04