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Pub opens its doors to the whole community


THEQueenAnnepubis looking to abright future after a £100,000 refit. The pub, run by Craig and Leon


Burns, had its grand re-opening on Monday, October 9, with mayor MalcolmGreer among the guests. Traditionally a “gaypub”, the cur-


rent landlords are keen tomake sure it is an inclusive spacewhere every- one feelswelcome. “We class it as LGBT friendly,”


Craig said. “We’re changing it rather than just being a gay bar. “We’re hoping to push the place


forward, get the foodgoing through- out the day and in the school holi- dayswewant to introduce some sort of kids’ club out in the garden and do something likepizza-making and cake-making, and stuff like that. “Previous landlords would only


allow gay people in. Our doors are open for children to come in,mums and dads after school, disabled peo- ple, gay people, transgenderpeople, we want to turn into a pub for the whole community to share.” The refit has completely changed


the interior of the pub, and Craig is thrilledwith the result.


Where Yo • Ensurre


Natalie Burnett, business developmentmanager of Admiral Taverns, mayoress Brenda Greer,MayorMalcolmGreer with Leon and Craig Burns


He said: “It’s a high-class finish,


it’s quite posh, it’s not dark and dingy anymore sowe’rewellhappy. “We’ve been here six months.


Whenwe first came in here the tak- ingswere next to nothing,we’ve al- ready quadrupled them so we’re doingwell so far.” Cllr Greer was impressed by the


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Canterbury 01227 643266 Maidstone 01622 698051 Tenterden 01580 767540


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www.whitehead-monckton.co.ukww .whitehead-moncw Whiitehead Monck on Limited (no. 0. 08366029), registered i n


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ME 4 1 DM2016 4 Mid Kent Living Maidstone November 2017 3


d & Wales. Registered office 72 King Street, Maidstone, Kent, Mwww.whitehead-monckton.co.ukBL. Authorised a d rd and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279.


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work carried out, and has called on the town to support the venture. “It’s a fantastic pub,” he said. “We


Will t eres a w Will there’s aw


need this type of public houses. I’ve been round and spoken to quite a


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4.30pm Sunday 26 November Heart of Kent Hospice, ME20 7PU


4.30pm Sunday 3 December Aylesford Priory, ME20 7BX


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THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN RUN BY OUR FAMILY SINCE 1777


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News Moremarkets FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS


to boost town THERE will be twice as many opportunities to shop atMaid- stone’s open-air market in the centre of town. The borough council’s plan-


ning committee has extended the number of days that the market can operate in Jubilee Square, from60 to 120 a year. The market, outside Maid-


stone’s TownHall,will be able to operate from 8am-6pm on each of the days. It follows a proposal from


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fewpeople, people have come from all over today. “It will be like a beehive, people


will come to it because the venue is fantastic, they tellme the foodis bril- liant andit’s absolutely essential that we support these kind of establish- ments. I congratulate everyone here forwhat they’ve done. “I’ve been here for half an hour


PRE-PAYMENT SCHEMES AVAILABLE Please contact us for further details


Cllr Brian Clark, supported by CllrMartin Cox. Speaking after the decision,


and everyone I’vemet is so friendly. It’s such a genuine place and all I’d say to people is come down and try it, you’ll enjoy it.”


54 High Street, West Malling, ME19 6LU email: info@vinerandsons.co.uk www.vinerandsons.co.uk Tel: 01732 842485


CllrClark said: “Themarket at Jubilee Square has a long his- tory, even pre-dating the build- ings of Middle Row, which encroach on the historicalmar- ket space. It is great to see a thrivingmarket in this location once again, becoming a key part of life inMaidstone.” Cllr Cox added: “The farm-


ers’ market and events at this location have been a real suc- cess. The extra trading days will boost the town centre’s at- tractiveness to visitors and shoppers and provide further scope formarket events.”


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