The Bean re-opens after major refit

Exactly a week ago, I was in Tonbridge mid-morning, having left my car at one of the local garages, for a re-gas of the air-conditioning system, of all things.  It was Mrs PBT’s idea to address the issue of the failing air-conditioning, even though she is not a regular occupant in the passenger seat, but with a week or more into the third heatwave of the summer, I had to admit that the prospect of yet another journey home from work in a steaming hot car, had definitely lost its appeal.

I agreed with my wife, as she knew I would, and consequently booked the vehicle in at a well-known chain that fits accessories and essentials, such as tyres exhausts, batteries etc. quickly.  They also service and re-gas car air conditioning systems.

With the car booked in at 10am, and the work scheduled to take just over an hour, what was there for a poor boy to do? "As sleepy Tonbridge town just ain’t no place for……………" well, you know the rest of Street Fighting Man. Fortunately the solution came quickly in the form of a visit to the Humphrey Bean – Tonbridge’s JDW outlet, which had just reopened after a major refit. The seven-week closure saw the chain pumping £713,000 into a significant refit, which was definitely much more than just a lick of paint.

Stepping inside, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and the first, quite subtle change I noticed was the improvement to the front door arrangement, which looks as if it’s designed to cut down on drafts. Not an issue in the summer, of course, but a feature that undoubtedly, will come into its own during the rest of the year. The thing that hasn’t changed, of course, is the overall layout. I don’t know why, but perhaps I was expecting something a little bit more adventurous, to what we got. However, the layout of a lengthy bar along a substantial side of the RH wall, obviously works, so why bother changing it? 

The interior scheme embraces deep, dark reds, complemented, of course, by a brand-new, and uniquely patterned Wetherspoon’s carpet. Whilst many people will be aware of Spoon’s policy on carpets for their pubs, not everyone is and so, as stated above, as well a reminder for those who already know, every one of Wetherspoon’s pubs has its own, unique patterned carpet.  In terms of layout, there is a comforting mix of the familiar and the modern, especially for regular visitors. To the right of the entrance, the two large booth seating areas, flanked by bookcases have been preserved, although they now boast fresh upholstery. Further inside, the familiar long bar remains in its usual position, but it has been given a much needed update with illuminated pictures of Tonbridge across the front panels. The large firepit area towards the rear also remains intact as a central feature. 

Customers can explore a range of displays, including the history of Tonbridge School, the story of local 19th century character Humphrey Bean, the life and work of war poet Sidney Keyes, the literary connections of E.M. Forster, and the intricate craftsmanship behind Tunbridge Ware. One of the most notable enhancements is the installation of a row of comfortable booths along the back right wall. Complete with accessible power sockets, they provide an ideal space for guests looking to work, study, or spend a few productive hours on a laptop. 

Outside, the beer garden has been redesigned. The previously tiered section at the far end has been levelled, creating a more practical and versatile outdoor space for visitors to enjoy. The number of plants, plus shrubs has been reduced as well as the space devoted to them – probably good news for hay fever sufferers, and also good for water conservation in the current, near drought conditions. One observation I noted, from another commenter, concerned the toilets, pointing out that little, if anything, had changed in this area. 

I didn’t venture inside to try them, despite the well-known diuretic effect of two mugs of coffee, but with outside temperatures already heading towards the 30’s, I had no pressing need to make use of the “facilities”. So, as the old saying goes, “If it isn’t broke, don’t try fixing it”. The only other change I noticed was that the former two banks of hand pulls, one at each end of the bar, have been replaced by a slightly larger, single set of pumps, which seems a far more sensible modification – one that makes a lot more sense for both punters and bar staff, alike.

Before wrapping this post up, it’s worth taking a look back at the lines I wrote describing what I saw, and how I felt on the first time I set foot in the Humphrey Bean. I stated that I was decidedly underwhelmed, even though then, like now I wasn’t sure what to expect. The issue lies with the building itself, and it’s worth remembering that the Bean was formerly Tonbridge’s main Post Office – a crown building, no less. The rear section of the building, was the section that none of the public ever saw, because back in the day, it was also the town's sorting office, and area, with its shed-like appearance is where the bar is situated.

So, given that the architects had a rather mishmash of a building to work with, it’s not surprising that the Bean looks like it does today. It's fair to say the pub is not one of JDW's most imaginative conversions, although the designers made the best of what was there. The smaller and more cosy section at the front, (the area with a ceiling of normal height), is where the Post Office counters were, originally sited. Contrast this with the shed/green house section and you’ll appreciate where I’m coming from.

To be fair, this section is bright and airy, with plenty of tables, and includes a raised area on the left-hand side. This section leads through to a large, attractive and well laid out garden, which looks out across the River Medway to Tonbridge's imposing 13th Century castle. This is without a doubt the Humphrey Bean's best feature. The Humphrey Bean has long been something of a Tonbridge institution, and it is hard to imagine what the town was like before Wetherspoon's came on the scene.