Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
7 October 2010
11:2174041#1
Hi all,
Does anyone know if The Castle Inn in Russell Street (ah, the memories...) reopens today, as rumoured?
If so, Andy Stucken and myself are planning to pop in for a snifter later.
Cheers,
Andy
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
7 October 2010
12:3074046#2
Saw a lot of work going on at the weekend so maybe...
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 679- Registered: 7 Sep 2008
- Posts: 162
7 October 2010
13:1574051#3
Just had a peek and all the grey shutters are still on the windows and door. Maybe tonight....?
I know a million ways to always pick the wrong thing to say
7 October 2010
13:3474052#4
Tomorrow I was told.
D
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 October 2010
13:5174055#5
Memories indeed of the Castle Inn, at the peak of its popularity in the mid-late 70's....
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
7 October 2010
15:2174058#6
Healthy competition for the other few pubs in the area, or a threat to them? Is there a market for another pub in the area, and where will the new customer`s come from?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 659- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 331
7 October 2010
17:0074077#7
Reopens tomorrow (Friday)
Guest 679- Registered: 7 Sep 2008
- Posts: 162
7 October 2010
18:1174090#8
Certainly can't look upon it as competition Colin. Anything that brings more people into the area is surely a good thing! There will be more of a 'circuit' for people on a night out to wander around & that alone will bring more people into the St James' area....something that's definitely needed around here!
Peter & Kathryn down Blakes could have taken the same outlook when I moved into The White Horse but they had the same attitude as I've stated above & welcomed me with open arms....in fact they were my first customers armed with flowers!! We now rub off on each other really well whereas we both send each other customers.
Look upon the business the same as the town centre Colin, the more shops you have, the more shoppers you get...it's not far different.
I know a million ways to always pick the wrong thing to say
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
7 October 2010
19:0774101#9
In my younger days there was nothing better than a good pub crawl.
We used to use the Castle Inn many years ago when ex-fireman Jock Cassidy was landlord.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
7 October 2010
19:0874103#10
Interesting thanks Jeanette, I was interested in your opinion of it all, and I do remember someone coming into you some weeks ago mentioning it opening up. It looks a good thing the way you`ve explained it. I hope it all goes well for the new owner`s, (and you of course).
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
8 October 2010
00:1874166#11
The Castle was my local in the 70's when the landlord was Charles Bollans aided by his wife Doris. When Charles retired it was taken over by Derek and Dixie and then later by Jock Cassidy as mentioned by Jan.
It was used a lot by the Southern TV people whose studios were just across the road and by the Hovercraft crews as well,where I worked at the time. The Green Jackets were also good customers and the musicians of the regiment sometimes brought their instruments along and we had some good old knees ups at the weekends.
I mustn't forget the East Kent employees as well whose garage was just across the lane.
I still see a couple of the barmaids around the town even now.
I lived in Vic Park in those days and also used to call in the White Horse on my way home. Happy days.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
8 October 2010
04:3274169#12
Jock who had the pub in River/ and the pub up whatsitsname off Folkestone Rd? He is still alive and looking fit.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
8 October 2010
19:3174292#13
Interesting stuff there Alec, and you`ve also explained the downfall of that area, and maybe the start of the rot. The army, bus depot, hovercraft crews, television people....... all gone, and the whole area derelict!
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
8 October 2010
19:5574299#14
ohhh... it was looking a little fab as i drove home this evening. at about 6pm.. shutters were off. and i really hope that it is back again because it did look pretty horrible.
just hope it doesnt turn back into the pub i remember from my yooof.. and i mean yoof... underage drinking at its best..
Alec Sheldon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
8 October 2010
20:3874304#15
Marek, the wrong Jock mate. You are thinking of Jock Weeligan(sp) who had the Grapes at Winchelsea and then the Royal Oak at River. Jock Cassidy lived down East Cliff in one of the terraced houses and unfortunately had his leg amputated several years ago and moved to Portsmouth with his wife Bet a couple of years ago.
Jen, it might look "a little fab" from the outside but inside it is far from finished. I called in today as I thought it was open but it was full of workmen, plasterers, painters and electricians working full out. Paul, the new landlord, apologised for the state of the place but served me a pint anyway after I clambered over all the working gear. I met Georgia also, who is going to be the barmaid/manager. There is a lovely grand piano in there, don't ask how he got it in there, I didn't as Paul was so busy putting up light fittings and sorting out his cellar with the brewery reps. I was his first paying customer but I think it will be a while before he is fully open.
Colin, you are right there mate, all the trades, professions etc, whatever you want to call them, have all gone from the area. How much longer can that area be allowed to stagnate ?.
15 October 2010
05:4775080#16
Re-opening again saturday (16th) so will see for myself at lunchtime.
D
Alec Sheldon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
15 October 2010
22:3775159#17
I called in again this afternoon to see if any progress had been made. The workmen seemed to have finished most of the work which was going on last week when I visited. I had an excellent pint served at the right temperature( see this weeks Dover Express).
Georgia the manageress said there would be an official opening tomorrow, Saturday the 16th., starting at midday with food.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
15 October 2010
23:4775161#18
Paul dropped in to Blakes this evening to borrow a corkscrew so presumably he will be serving wine as well!!
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
16 October 2010
00:5075166#19
A lot of noisy music coming from there around 22.00ish. I take it that it opened tonight, last night, Friday night. Errrrrrrrr, that`s the trouble when you`re out in the evening and get home the next day, morning.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.