A Potted History of the Lees Club
The Leas Club was first opened as a teahouse called the Leas
Pavilion in 1902. The idea for a tearoom came from Mr Frederick Ralph, and it
was designed by a local architect, Mr Reginald Pope. It was planned to be built
on ground lying between two hotels on the east of the Leas. Both these hotels
had long leases from Lord Radnor, which included an ‘ancient lights’ clause
which meant that no building could be constructed which would prevent light
reaching their windows. As a result the building was constructed with only one
storey visible above the ground with a flat roof, but it had a full height
basement which was excavated on three sides.
The teahouse was fully licensed and charged high prices. A covenant in the lease
required that the lessees would ‘use the room for the highest class tea and
refreshment trade with the view to securing the best class of visitors only’.
Concert parties subsequently proved very popular with an orchestra and
vocalists. When war broke out it was at the Leas Pavilion that farewell concerts
were held for the troops, who would march straight down the Road of Remembrance
onto the ships waiting to take them to France.
In 1928 a stage was built at the far end of the hall and the theatre opened for
plays and tea matinees. It flourished as a repertory theatre called the Leas
Pavilion Theatre for 57 years until September 1985. It reopened as the Leas Club
in March 1986, and has subsequently been run as a venue for live music and as a
public house and café.
Members of the Go Folkestone Buildings and Environment Group hoped that with
such a fascinating history and as such an important part of Folkestone’s
heritage, it was of sufficient architectural and historic interest to justify
applying for listing. The Secretary of State, after consulting with English
Heritage, has decided it merited statutory listing at Grade II, and gave the
following reasons: It is a rare example of a purpose built Edwardian high class
tearoom, a poignant evocation of troops departing for France in World War 1 and
an early 20th century popular entertainment venue.
The front entrance is of special architectural merit for its high quality
moulded terracotta work, ironwork grilles and attached veranda, and for its Art
Nouveau style stained glass.
The plan form survives intact. The interior with its imperial staircase,
galleried interior and ceiling survives substantially intact apart from a few
alterations to convert it into a theatre in 1928. It is an important Edwardian
seaside building, comparing in interest with the Leas Cliff Hall and the
Pulhamite Caves which are both listed Grade I.
Few examples of tearooms survive from this period because as a building type
they were liable to be regularly refurbished. So next time you are passing, go
and have a look. A little bit of history – intact.
Judith Deane
Member Go Folkestone Building and Environment Group
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter March 2008
