The Dagmar was a wine bar located at 10 Turpin Road and owned by James Willmott-Brown from May 1987 to July 1988.
History[]
The Dagmar was initially a pub owned by Gladstones Brewery. James Willmott-Brown assumed the tenancy in 1987, and by May of that year, he oversaw its transformation into a contemporary wine bar, complete with a disco in the side-room, as a competitor to The Queen Victoria, the neighbouring public house on Albert Square. His plan was to replicate this model with other nearby establishments once The Dagmar was established and operational.
The bar enjoyed initial popularity but faced two graffiti attacks in October 1987, with 'Yuppies Out' sprayed across its frontage. By 1988, The Dagmar started experiencing a decline in business, attributed to competition from both the Vic and the newly established Strokes Wine Bar, which opened in June of that year and was operated by the local gangster organisation, The Firm. Additionally, the setback was exacerbated by Walford's residents not embracing the upper-class establishment.
In July 1988, Willmott-Brown raped his barmaid Kathy Beale in the upstairs flat of the Dagmar. The outrage stemming from his actions led Den Watts to collude with Brad Williams to set fire to the Dagmar in retaliation. Willmott-Brown fled Walford and faced trial in 1989. Subsequently, the property was repurposed as Furniture Bargains, which swiftly went out of business. In 1991, Ian Beale purchased the property and established The Meal Machine.
List of staff[]
Angie Watts and Sharon Watts resided in the upstairs flat until December 1987. Following their departure, Willmott-Brown occupied the flat until he was evicted amidst the wreckage of the property in July 1988.
- James Willmott-Brown (Owner, 1987-1988)
- Angie Watts (Chief barmaid, 1987)
- Mary Smith (Cleaner, 1987-1988)
- Simon Wicks (Barman, 1987-1988)
- Barry Clark (Barman, 1987)
- Lofty Holloway (Barman, 1988)
- Kathy Beale (Barmaid, 1988)
- Wendy (Barmaid, New Year's Eve 1987)
Gallery[]
To be added.
See also[]
- List of appearances
- 10 Turpin Road
- Turpin Road
- Businesses on Turpin Road