Reading yesterday’s Thanet Times I was a little shocked to see that the Britannia Pub in Margate has closed down, which is bad news for Thanet as I would consider it one of the best live music venues in the local area. I wouldn’t say I was a regular but the Brit is always good for a few beers before going to the Winter Gardens, or walking down from Bugsy’s Bowling into Margate on a BDOF (Boy’s Day Of Fun), or even just to make a nice change from the usual pubs/bars around Thanet.
A Facebook group has been set-up ‘Save the Britannia Margate‘ which currently has just under 1000 members and is aiming to raise money to keep the venue open.
The group is aiming to run a fundraising live music event in an effort to raise enough money to keep it open, which will be fine in the short-term but is not really a long term solution. It’s been a very tough time for the pub industry and I’m not sure if this is enough to save the Brit.
I was quite shocked to see the pub now closed. My son has played there with his college band and I’ve been to see a few gigs there in the last few years. That’s a real shame. The pub is iconic in Margate.
I think it’ll be a big loss to Margate and local musicians too, many who got their first chance at the ‘Jam Nights’ of performing to a crowd.
Update: There’s now over 1000 members of the group.