Thorley Taverns is a Multi-Outlet Public House Chain, which operates 33 pubs, 28 of which are situated on The Isle of Thanet in Kent, England. The Chairman is its Founder, Frank Thorley (born on Monday 9 December 1935). There are so many 'Thorley-owned taverns' in the area that it is called 'Planet Thorley' by locals (A play on the local name for the area, which is Planet Thanet, as it is a 'World away from anywhere else', this researcher has been told!!!). He works with his son Philip (born on Monday 4 February 1963), who is assisting in continuing to build the business.

The Beginnings

Frank was first employed in the insurance business, changing direction to work as a Newsagent. From this humble beginning, he expanded into the wholesale tobacco industry, including supplying vending machines to the Public House trade.

His first foray into property ownership was The Angel, Crosswall, in London, in 1971. Another four London pubs were then added to his portfolio over the following four years, before purchasing The Charles Dickens, in Broadstairs, Kent, in 1975. This was his first property in Thanet, and set the tone of things to come with many more following. After a major overhaul, his investment in this property made it one of Kent’s most popular venues. Due to personal circumstances, The Charles Dickens was sold in 1980. However this did not deter Frank from continuing his expansion in the Thanet area.

The Expansion Period

Thorley Taverns, as the Company is now known, began acquiring further establishments which were largely in need of investment. The Royal, opposite Ramsgate Harbour, was the first in Ramsgate. It was a derelict pub which had had a number of attempts to reopen, all doomed to failure. After a large amount of investment and refurbishment, it again proved a hit and became a popular destination eatery, It is a large 2 storey Pub, with its sweeping views of Ramsgate's Royal Harbour. It also had a large dance area on the ground floor, popular with the youth of the area

Thorley Taverns then made a brave and different acquisition in the Fayreness Hotel, on the cliffs of Broadstairs. This was a leap of faith, as it wasn't a Public House but a magnificent Hotel overlooking the English Channel. Again, as has become a Thorley Tavern trademark, major investment, alterations and refurbishment turned this establishment round and it has become a thriving venue.

Following the acquisition of The Royal, The Royal Oak, just a little further down the road, was purchased in 1998 and has become a major hotel in the town.

The Hotel De Ville, a famous hotel which had John le Mesurier and Arthur Lowe (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/d/dadsarmy_7771975.shtml) as its residents, was next for a makeover, as was the Pegwell Bay Hotel, which is on the cliffs of Pegwell, overlooking the bay, as it's name suggests.

There have been many further investments in property, both in and around Thanet. At the time of writing there are 33 properties in the Thorley Tavern portfolio, which are listed below.

Further Information

The Thorley Chain is very distinctive, with its smart interiors, and selection of Real Ales and aimed at the younger end of the market generally with live music. As previously mentioned, the majority are failed venues that are given a large amount of investment, and a high quality face-lift.

However, many locals do get the impression that any property is available to Frank, and are worried that all hostelries in Thanet will fall under his chequebook creating a dearth of non-Thorley establishments in the area. so not popular by all the locals, by any means.

The Future?

It is hard to see the growth of this Company slowing, and is seen by many as the Wetherspoon's of the South-East. Certainly Thorley Taverns are firmly established on the Isle of Thanet, and its future seems sound despite the strident concerns from established local residents.

The area had suffered a similar fate in the sixties, when another predatious company was purchasing properties and breweries. In the 1960's Thomson and Wotton (1554 to 1969), the Independent Brewer in Queen's Road, Ramsgate, and Cobb and Co (1577-1967), the Independent Brewer in King's Street, Margate were both absorbed by Whitbread. Thomson and Wotton is now the site of a Waitrose Supermarket (previously Ramsgate Coach stop), while Cobb's is now retail outlets. This researcher hopes that a similar fate does not fall on Thanet in the 2000's

A sample of Thorley Taverns

There is a sample of Thorley Taverns at A7474674 which is a stroll around a number of pubs in Broadstairs to enable comparisons, as well as giving a flavour of some of the other distinctive hostelries in the area.