Good Food
Food
& Drink Harrow be thy name!
Aſter being saved by the local Stockbury community the Harrow pub has now celebrated its one year anniversary. Villagers acted when the brewery put
the pub up for sale in 2016 and turned it into a community asset, reopening in September 2017. Shareholders – 149 of them – were galvanised to make it happen. Tese days it offers a fine dining a la carte menu as well serving traditional ales. Landlord Samuel Pendry said: “When
I heard about the pub and what the community was doing with it I thought to myself ‘I have to get involved’. We just celebrated our one year anniversary so we have found our feet and moving on to bigger and beter things.” In Lidsing, the Harrow Inn has been taken over in a joint effort by two families who are hoping to make a success of their new project. Friends Glynn Edwards and Clair Ansell
decided to take a chance and took over the lease to run the pub together with their families. Mrs Ansell said: “We just wanted to take
a chance and just see what happens. It’s a work in progress, as we have only been running the pub for a few months. “I’ve worked in pubs before so I know
a lot of people. We are a drinking first pub, but we will be offering home cooked food.” However, while one pub is looking to
succeed with its new landlords, another is going through the process of trying to find new owners. Te Harrow Inn based in Ulcombe,
which is owned by a private company, is currently undergoing a renovation project with a view to atracting new owners. Te changes involve some small additions to help atract interest, and is set to reopen shortly for potential purchasers to view.
Couple’s pub project
Kentish pub chain Shepherd Neame has called upon the experience of a couple running Te George Inn in Leeds to take over a renovation project at East Farleigh. Shut in July, the Walnut Tree has been
undergoing a major refurb – inside and out – under the watchful eye of Jason and Debbie Tarp. Debbie says they are aiming to bring the formula successful at Te George – good food, good local ales and a friendly atmosphere - to their new venture. Tey have installed manager Paul Kelf, known as Kelfy, to run the operation day-to-day. Debbie said: “Te Walnut Tree has a
fantastic local customer base but we want to make it a food pub as well. “So I suppose we will just run it the same as
the George with good food, decent beers and a welcoming feel.” “To be honest there is not much else around
in the immediate vicinity and it is close enough to Maidstone for people to come out and visit us.” Te George Inn relies on a mix of loyal locals, passing trade and Leeds Castle visitors. Debbie added: “Shepherd Neame
approached Jason and I to do it and we can see huge potential there. It’s a very exciting time for us and we are looking forward to it.” A new entrance, enhanced drainage and
electrics, a smoking area and an enclosed garden will be among the changes awaiting its eager customers. Te Walnut Tree – which dates back almost
500 years – has a quaint English feel, with authentic oak beams and an inglenook fireplace. And outside, of course, stands a walnut tree.
Jessica’s living her dream
Jessica Harvey has taken up the reigns of her own pub in Aylesford, near Maidstone. After working behind the bar at The
Walnut Tree in nearby Yalding, the 24-year- old slid up the shuters at Te Chequers Inn on September 7, in her first venture as landlady and what she hopes could be the first step towards building a portfolio of pubs for herself. Jessica takes over the 16th century High Street pub in the historic riverside village from previous licensee, Peter Collins. While belonging to Enterprise Inns, the
pub re-opened as a freehouse. Jessica told Mid Kent Living: “I’ve always wanted to run this pub because it has lots of potential, with its riverside location. Tis will be a pub for locals and a destination pub for those looking to enjoy rustic charm, open fires and traditional food.” She has already given the inside of the pub
a fresh lick of paint and hopes to double the outside space with decking over the river. Tere are also plans to close the pub for a full refit in the new year and to create a hotel of up to seven rooms upstairs.
Mid Kent Living 41
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