As an organisation that loves pubs and does everything to ensure their survival, we have to be thankful to pub operators (and brewers) Shepherd Neame of Kent. Spending £950,000 on a pub refurbishment is no mean investment and, after a three-month project, it is great to see the pub open again (the pub actually closed in January 2024). Sheps have put as much effort into restoring its heritage features as they have in improving the interior and upgrading its facilities. While doing this there was considerable attention paid to sustainability, including LED lighting and a fully electric kitchen.
The pub was built in 1812 and acquired by Sheps twenty years ago. It is not far from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. I was fortunate to attend the formal reopening led by chief executive Jonathan Neame. I am no expert on architectural features but my notes say tasks undertaken included a new Barley Window, a reclaimed fireplace, work on the stained glass and adding Lancaster Wallpaper. The swing sign outside is wooden and hand painted.
Mr Neame set out the current difficulties for the hospitality industry and pubs in general, highlighting their key value to local communities, hence their need to survive. To emphasise this, the company made a £1,000 donation to the local Cardinal Hume Centre, which supports local people in such areas as childcare, housing and employment initiatives. The MP for Faversham & Mid Kent, Helen Whately, informed us how much she loves beer and the pubs that it is sold in and how she, as an MP, was very involved in trying to reduce the tariffs on beer.
The work carried out should help the pub continue for generations to come, so give it a try; it’s well worth it.
John Cryne