BIG NEWS in the Bay this morning as shocked residents woke up to discover the place that was the self-styled ‘Hub of the Bay’ has lost its spokes, and with it the spokesman.
Stephan Ritchie, leaseholder of the Beach Tavern, praised over recent years for introducing a positive family approach to promotions has disappeared leaving all kinds of questions about the public house and restaurant, not least of which is whether the finance company owed money on the lease and bar staff are to be paid.
The Beach Tavern has been ‘gutted’ leaving huge problems for the freeholders who will want to address the issue of what to do with the empty building and how to do it quickly, given the suddenness of the spectacle.
Bay Life began to hear rumours as long ago as last Christmas that all was not well Chez Stephan. One upset resident told us that she had undergone the embarrassment of a set-piece once in a year meal with her family that she would never forget.
The family of three was charged £72.00 per head (a total of £216.00) for what turned out to be a distinctly unappealing meal. The lady’s son chose ‘Beef Wellington’, which when served, had metamorphosed into a steak pie. Not wishing to add a dampner to the spirit of the occasion, the famly simply left following their ‘Christmas Banquet’ vowing never to return.
Throughout his occupancy of the Beach Tavern Stephan has made various claims about the value of this business to the Bay and what he has achieved, including at one point a claim that he was personally responsible for bringing the Olympic Torch to the Eastbourne Road.
Fortunately we were saved the embarrassment of him offering the Olympic torchbears his infamous ‘Beef Wellington’ on the Big Day in question.
To be fair to the landlord, he has achieved something significant during his tenancy in terms of upping the profile of the locality. The value of this work should be recognised and acknowledged. It is no mean feat in this economic climate to have brought people together in a public house which has seen afternoon clubs thrive, with exercise classes, pensioners parties and business seminars also included on the bill of fayre.
Bay Life has supported him in many of his endeavours, as well as offering him publicity for events and clubs.
He most certainly created a positive atmosphere, bringing people of all ages into a family environment that was positive and friendly.
When the new lease was taken on over two years ago, Bay Life gave him a visit and we talked to him about his goals. What we witnessed was a warm open welcome.
Ladies were taking to the floor nimbly setting up a line dance, punters at the bar were chatting over a pint and the orders were starting to rake in for ‘Sonia’s Restaurant’ as plans were being put into a suave eating experiece that was to become the talk of the town.
In addition. the Beach Tavern played an active role in supporting and promoting the controversially overly succcessful ‘Pevfest’ two years running, with billboard advertising and a venue billing that put the pub centre stage.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays were also heavily trawled with popular tribute acts that we understand were, for the most part, a big success.
With so much fruitful endeavour over two years, we must give Stephan credit for what he has achieved. But the nature of the departure, a runner of Olympic proportions, has left a whole host of questions to be answered.
If, as we believe to be the case, that staff have not been paid, then we would like to ask Stephan publicly how he intends to put this matter right.
Pevensey Bay, like many other small coastal locations, is more than strapped for cash. Every business here owes it to the good name of the Bay to act honourably. At a time of acute recession, the lifeblood of the Bay is trust. People need to know that when they visit, that they will get good service. Staff also need to know that they will be paid for their hard work.
The ripple effect doesn’t stop at the groynes. The Beach Tavern story is about as bad as it gets when it comes to promoting the unique attractions that we have to offer.
Much of the talk over the weekend has been about what has happened. The local freeholders of the public house have been taking the opportunity to trawl the local community to see if anyone might be wanting a Bar Manager’s job.
Last week, the story amongst local publicians was that the lease was about to be put on the market. This week we are dealing with what appears to be not a tribute act, but a new kind of Beach Tavern Special, a magical disappearing act.
As emails come in from concerned promoters asking us to cancel gig information and the story of what really happened starts to take shape, Bay Life will be here to bring you the news.
We are a public platform that supports people who live in the Bay, togther with coverage of community and business issues. It is a responsibility that we take seriously.
Our message this Wednesday morning to Stephan Ritchie is a simple one, and if the blackboards in the Beach Tavern had not been removed that is exactly where we would have chalked up three words for all to see… ‘shame on you’.
If you have any further information about what has happened at the Beach Tavern, a story to tell us about the Tavern, or want to give us a view of the matter, we would like to hear from you. You can email us at . Comments area below left open for contributions.
Thanks for covering a subject of considerable local interest. My impression that your account is rather slanted against the missing landlord Stephan Ritchie.
For instance you state that Mr Ritchie claimed personal credit for the Olympic torch, whereas your own previous article says:
‘Stephan organised the petition and presented it to the parish council and the Olympics committee.
He said he couldn’t be sure whether the petition had made a difference to the finalised route but added, “I like to think my petition had something to do with it and I am delighted everyone will now be able to enjoy the occasion.”
Whatever the rights and wrongs of Mr Ritchie’s recent actions, The Beach Tavern’s influence has clearly been positive in the area, under his stewardship.
We accept the comments above about the strength of opinion expressed in the article. They were based on initial contact that people made with us by text and email about news that the Beach Tavern had suddenly closed. We tried to reflect information supplied to us as accurately as possible.
We also accept comments made here about a previous article. However it should be noted that the source (Eastbourne Herald) in the previous article is clearly identified at the foot of the post. Where we carry local news from other sources, we always seek to identify that source and declare it. It was pointed out to us subsequently that some of the claims made to the Eastbourne Herald about the role he (Stephan) had played in relation to the story of the Olympic Torch and its proposed journey through the Bay, were open to scrutiny.
We will be returning to what is a very big story for the Bay when more information becomes available. At that time, the views that you have expressed will be reflected and given fair weight as part of the article.
There is a view, which we acknowledge, that Mr. Ritchie’s role as landlord of the Beach Tavern, as well as being very colourful, was also as you put it so succinctly, ‘positive in the area, under his stewardship’.
Simon Montgomery
Editor, Bay LIfe
I would just like to say that I have never read a more contradictory article in my entire life. I am truly shocked that whoever penned this article would make such damaging assumptions, which are based on hearsay, and reports from texts and emails? faceless people whose obvious mode of transport must be a time machine because according to your report “much of the talk over the weekend has been about what has happened” – Actually, at the weekend nothing had even happened! The Beach was still open, I know because I was there, and add to that I had the most “fantastic” and reasonably priced meal
I won’t list all the contradictions they are all there for anyone with even half a brain cell to see.. What I would say is that to publish a story on hearsay texts and emails from people who have not even got the dates right, is very sloppy and unproffesional. I look forward to seeing a retraction of this article and an apology for same.
If the words “shame on you” should be written anywhere, then they should be written below this article and in response to it.