New plans lodged to transform popular Canterbury pub inside and out

New plans have given a first look at how a popular Canterbury pub could be transformed with a fresh new appearance. The Shakespeare is a Shepherd Neame-owned boozer found in Butchery Lane, which features an adjoining wine bar that opens onto Buttermarket Square.

Regarded for its well-reviewed food and boasting a “firm focus on home-grown ingredients”, The Shakespeare holds a TripAdvisor rating of four stars out of five. The newly submitted plans reveal the pub is looking to alter both its shopfronts, as well as the interior.

Refurbishments would involve the removal of the existing painted finish on the Butchery Lane shopfront, with the woodwork to then be stained, creating a more “traditional” appearance. The existing hanging painted sign would also be replaced with a new painted swing sign as well as a new fascia board displaying revised signage for the pub.

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Meanwhile, the painted ‘Shepherd Neame’ mural to the first floor would be retained. Over at the Buttermarket entrance which leads into the wine bar area, most of the existing paint finish on the shopfront would be retained and re-painted in the same colour.

However, the paint on the entrance door would be removed, again in favour of a stained wood replacement. A new swing sign would also be installed above this entrance, while another painted mural displaying ‘Shepherd Neame’ branding would be added at the second floor.

The fascia board would again be altered, here displaying a new name; ‘Shakespeare’s Sister’. Within the plans, it is stated that these shopfront alterations would be made to “allow for a more traditional feel which matches the internal sympathetic refurbishment".

It adds: “The proposal is to improve the curb appeal of the pub, helping keep the external area presentable and attractive to maintain high standards.” A number of internal alterations have also been put forward, including the removal of disused ceiling ductwork.

One of the glazed apertures which separates two of the main seating areas near the front bar would also be removed to create a new opening. Details on improvements to both of the bars have been put forward, including the removal of the back of the main bar to create more space for covers.

The accessible bathroom on the ground floor would be slightly moved in order to create a new store room in the main pub area. It is explained that the pub plans to host live bands in the main seating area, as opposed to near the front entrance as it currently does.

As such, a new storage room is required to house the furniture which will be moved when acts perform. The plans conclude: “The proposed works are designed in a way which aims to be of minimal impact to the building and to be respectful of existing features and materials whilst improving the local amenity.”

These proposals are awaiting a decision from Canterbury City Council (CCC). The plans can be viewed in full through the CCC planning portal using the reference CA/24/02075.