**Marathon Pub Session at UK’s Largest Wetherspoons Results in Remarkably Modest Bill**
The Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, Kent, occupies a unique place in Britain’s pub landscape. Famed as the UK’s largest Wetherspoons, this impressive establishment sits proudly along the town’s sandy shoreline, offering not just generous floor space but also some of the most enviable sea views on the British coast.
For pub manager Chris Whitbourn, who has overseen operations at the Pavilion for nearly a decade, keeping the venue in top condition is a challenge that comes with its popularity. The ongoing battle with sand, courtesy of beachgoing customers, means carpets are replaced far more frequently than at other pubs in the chain—a testament to its perpetual footfall and the seaside’s inescapable influence.
The Pavilion’s doors open early, welcoming customers from 8am, and remain open into the small hours, with closing at 1am. This sprawling window of hospitality allows for epic visits, with some patrons reportedly making the most of every minute. In one extraordinary recent stint, a visitor managed to spend the full 17 hours at the Pavilion—only to find his tab considerably lighter than anticipated.
The pub underwent a significant transformation last year, with a £750,000 refurbishment that expanded its already impressive maximum capacity by 100 more seats, bringing it up to a grand total of 1,500. During that period, some staff were sent to nearby branches, allowing for extensive work to refresh not just the interior but also the property’s exterior gardens—a part of the renovation that had long been on Whitbourn’s wish list.
The building itself enjoys a rich heritage. Originally designed by Stanley Davenport Adshead in 1903 to mimic the classic lines of a Robert Adam orangery, the Pavilion fell into dereliction before being rescued and transformed by JD Wetherspoon in 2017 after a substantial £4.5 million investment. Its rebirth has cemented its status as a flagship venue for the chain and made it a firm favourite with regulars and occasional tourists alike.
Among those who hold the Pavilion in high esteem is David Bingham—a noted ‘Spoons enthusiast. Having toured every Wetherspoon across the British Isles over four years, he describes Ramsgate’s Royal Victoria as “the jewel in the crown” of the chain. Interviewed about his journey, Bingham revealed that his epic pub pilgrimage came at an estimated cost of £30,000, accounting for travel, drinks, and accommodation.
Yet, while Wetherspoons continues to thrive, the future for UK pubs is uncertain. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveals that close to 300 pubs shut their doors across England and Wales in 2024 alone, equating to an average of six closures each week. Multiple factors are blamed for this ongoing crisis, from surging overheads and shifting social patterns, to robust competition offered by budget supermarket booze.
According to BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin, such widespread closures are not inevitable, noting that robust consumer demand remains. However, she warns that soaring operational costs are rapidly eroding profits. She has called for urgent government reforms to business rates and phased employment costs to help traditional pubs remain viable and continue their longstanding role as community anchors.
Despite these pressures, Wetherspoons appears to be bucking the trend. Journalist Harry Wallop, who embraced a marathon 17-hour visit at the Pavilion, reported that his entire day—comprising three full meals, three pints, a cocktail, and a whisky and soda—set him back just £41.44. Notably, drinks prices start from as low as £1.79 per pint at the Pavilion, a far cry from the UK average pint price of £4.83, according to the Office for National Statistics.
While Wetherspoons’ image as a ubiquitous high-street fixture may not appeal to all, the determined efforts of founder Tim Martin and his team are credited by many with sparing yet more British pubs from closure. The Pavilion stands as an example of how investment and a focus on affordability can breathe new life into historic venues.
As the debate around the future of Britain’s pubs rages on, the Royal Victoria Pavilion offers a glimpse of hope—showing that, with the right formula, the tradition of the great British pub can still thrive, even in challenging times.