For journalist Zoe Williams, the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate wasn't just another pub; it was a beloved local institution. So, her sudden and unexpected ban from the world's largest Wetherspoon's came as a profound shock, a story of pandemic-era rules clashing with unwavering customer loyalty.
From Derelict Casino to Coastal Gem
The story of the pub itself is one of dramatic transformation. Occupying a prime spot right on Ramsgate's sands, the handsome, century-old building had a chequered past. For years, it claimed to be a casino, off-limits to Williams as a child. It then fell into a state of neglect in the 1990s and 2000s, looking "a bit haunted" before a fire struck.
The turning point came in 2017, when, after a major renovation, it reopened as a Wetherspoon's. Despite initial reservations linked to Brexit and the chain's founder Tim Martin, Williams was instantly captivated. She describes a venue where everything is perfect: outdoor tables in a permanent sunspot, a 13-seat green leather banquette facing floor-to-ceiling sunset views, and a grand central staircase fit for a Hollywood musical.
The Incident That Led to a Ban
The fateful moment occurred during the "rule of six" phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. Williams was visiting with her children and meeting another family, making their group a total of seven. A barman instructed them to split up. Attempts to reason – arguing that seven was effectively five given the children – and playful efforts to comply by sending the kids to sit elsewhere were in vain.
The barman insisted households sit on separate tables. "We were really just messing about at this point," Williams admits, when the authority figure delivered a line she'd never heard before: "You're barred." The punishment was delivered without process, second chances, or right of appeal.
The Power of the Final Word
For a self-described "superfan" who regularly promoted the pub's roof garden with the hashtag #ThanetRiviera, the ban was bewildering. She had endured its ramen and even left her dog at home to visit. The relationship she cherished with the place had been abruptly severed by a single, unappealable decree.
In the end, the ban lasted only one night. But the experience left Williams with a stark lesson about the "awesome power" vested in bar staff. It represents, she reflects, an important residue of the dignity of work: their word is final. No extenuating circumstances, no debate. Final.
The Royal Victoria Pavilion, with its seal-spotting views and grand renovation, remains a landmark. But for one night, its most ardent advocate learned that even the most devoted patronage has its limits when rules are on the line.
