BARMAID SAVES PUB FROM PERMANENT CLOSURE
Barmaids passion for the pub sees her return as owner and save it from closure
New figures show that pubs are closing at a rate of one every 12 hours, with The Campaign for Real Ale saying 378 pubs shut down permanently between July and December last year across the UK. Jessica Harvey, however, hasn’t been daunted by the prospect of rescuing a traditional country pub. The Walnut Tree in Yalding dates back to 1492, the year Christopher Columbus sailed to America. It started it’s life as a Tudor four-bay Kentish Yeoman’s house, and became a beer-house in the 19th century.
Jessica, who grew up in the nearby village of Wateringbury, has now taken over the reigns of The Walnut Tree and oversaw an extensive refurbishment prior to their opening date. Jessica spent 4 years working as a barmaid at the beautiful Yalding pub and hopes to prove that there is career progression in this trade. This is the second pub in Jessica’s
portfolio, having taken over The Chequers in Aylesford only 9 months ago, transforming it from a rundown bar into a thriving country pub by injecting some care and love into the building and offering exceptional homecooked, fresh food, with a carvery every Sunday, alongside an extensive drinks range, including real cask ales and craft gins, and a very carefully selected wine list. Jessica now hopes to repeat the same success at The Walnut Tree.
“The way people use pubs is changing and we have to adapt to make pubs viable in our community. Many more pubs are becoming family-friendly by accommodating children and expanding their food offering. The revival of craft beers and gins, especially ones produced in local microbreweries and distilleries. is also driving people to change their drinking habits and to explore new tastes.” Jessica said.
During the refit, Jessica wanted to keep the traditional country look and feel that the pub is known for, with exposed beams and cosy open fires. The new menu offers freshly made, traditional pub food with daily specials, focusing on seasonal produce from local suppliers. Jessica then went on to say “Keeping a country pub alive in the heart of this beautiful landscape is vital to the community and we hope that our food offering and reputation will bring customers in. I can’t wait to get back behind the bar and make The Walnut Tree a success.”
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
The Walnut Tree Yalding Hill Yalding
ME18 6JB 01622 814266
The Walnut Tree, Yalding Hill Yalding, ME18 6JB
01622 814266
Please quote 'Downs Mail' when booking. and present voucher to a member of staff.
Maidstone Weald June 2019 13
25% off food at
The Walnut Tree until 30th June
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