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 ?? 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.