Seating!

Popped up to the erstwhile Ropemakers Arms in Chatham this afternoon and picked up some nice bar-stools which I'd purchased on ebay. Always sad to see a pub close but one mans meat, etc, etc. At least now my customers will have something to rest their weary brains on.

Bogged Down!

Environmental Health have had a site visit and have objected to the project because there is no toilet. There IS a toilet. I have sent them a picture of the toilet. Hopefully, they now have someting to go on.

Festival!

Just got back from the Kent Beer Festival. Lots of interest in my project from those lovely CAMRA folk. Shame that the cheapest beer was £2.70 a pint and there was a 5p premium on halves. At least it was better than Chelmsford, where there was a 10p premium on thirds. Hope to do better than that at the Conqueror. Not long now to the Ramsgate FC Festival (next Friday & Saturday) where there will be no price hike for those that want to try beers in lesser quantities.

Workshop!

I attended a workshop at Margate's Media Centre (the old Cobb's Bank) today. It was aimed at people starting their own business (like me) and I found it really useful, making lots of contacts and getting support and encouragement for the project. Cheers, guys!

Photos!

I've been going through some old photos and postcards of the PS Conqueror. Here's a nice one of her in Boulogne Harbour. Been in exactly the same place on a SeaCat a few times myself. Once the micro-pub is up and running, there will be plenty of pictures like this on the wall. Worth popping in to look at, even if you're a teetotaller! Still no news on planning consent but it was never going to take just a few days, was it?

Hiccup!

Having been told by TDC that I can run both Planning and Licensing applications concurrently, I've now been told that I can't, so I've had to withdraw the licensing application. This means I'll probably miss my target date but, as practically no-one knew what that was apart from me, there's no real harm done. Both the Chelmsford and Tonbridge festivals were very good, the latter thanks to the organisational skills of our own local brewer but, after today's excellent Thanet CAMRA walk from Minster to Pluck's Gutter and back, I feel an early night followed by a day of abstinence is in order.

Interested Parties!

Got all the copies of the paperwork off to the "interested parties" today. That's people like the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Elfnsafety, et al. Actually, I'm very flattered that they're interested in my little micropub project. Maybe they'll all pop in for a pint when it's open. Even found time for a game of golf this evening - managed to get in 15 holes before the heavens opened. Off to Chelmsford Beer Festival tomorrow and the SIBA do at Tonbridge on Friday. May even drum up some business!

Going logo!

Spent a while this morning with a good friend who happens to be a photographer, sorting out the logo. It is, of course a silhouette of the PS Conqueror and will adorn everything from the pub sign to business cards. I think Grandfather would have been pleased with it - I know I am! If you ever need something similar, or anything by way of photographs, then http://www.colinbowling.com/ is the place to look.

Licensing!

Here's a picture of the P.S. Conqueror to be going on with. The captain was my grandfather, Walter Henry Curtis. I'm still grappling with the licensing forms. More or less completed the application itself, just the risk assessment to complete tomorrow and it can all go off to the council. Went to look for some furniture this morning (I'm going for the solid Victorian/Edwardian look) but the shop I had in mind was closed. My fault, should have checked.

Planning!

I submitted the Planning Application for change of use of the premises today. Fingers crossed! I'm sure those nice people at TDC won't have a problem with it. Currently working on the Premises Licence Application, which looks as though it may take until tomorrow to complete. Still, one step at a time. I'm sure it will be worth waiting for.

Project Conqueror

Coming soon to Ramsgate - the Conqueror Alehouse, based loosely on the superb Butcher's Arms in Herne and named after a Paddle Steamer which used to run out of Ramsgate Harbour around 1900.

Projected opening late summer/early autumn 2010. Click "Follow" to keep up to date with developments.