From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Ed McConnell, 13 April 2017.

Maidstone pubs: The Pilot, Upper Stone Street, to reopen.

A well-known Maidstone pub will be hoping to overcome some recent turbulence when it reopens tomorrow.

The "Pilot," in Upper Stone Street, closed unexpectedly at the end of January and owner Harvey’s Brewery cast doubt on the alehouse’s future, saying declining trade made it unlikely it would serve punters again.

But landlady Charlotte Houlihan was pleased to announce last week that negotiations with the Sussex-based brewers had been successful.

The Pilot closed in January.

The pub’s hours will change in an effort to reverse its recent fortunes and it will now open on Friday and Saturday evenings and during the afternoon on Sunday.

It previously opened from Tuesday until Sunday.

The "Pilot" will offer real ales, cider, wines and spirits, live music and jam nights, while Sunday lunch will be available but bookings will need to be made.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By KentOnline reporter, 19 July 2018.

Maidstone: Fire breaks out at derelict pub on Upper Stone Street.

Firefighters have been tackling a fire at a derelict pub in Maidstone.

Crews in two engines were called to an outbuilding at the The Pilot on Upper Stone Street just after 5am.

The blaze started in an outbuilding of the derelict pub.

The road remained open while they tackled the flames at the boarded-up property and it is not thought anyone's been hurt.

Witness John Sharp said: "Two fire crews turned up in a matter of minutes, then just over the road another fire was burning which a third fire crew came out to put that one out."

Fire tore through the back of The Pilot in Upper Stone Street, Maidstone.

Crews have left the scene, with debris strewn across the back of the abandoned pub, which closed last January.

Despite a brief reopening, the pub closed for good in March 2017.

The fire did not reach the main building.

It's not known yet how the fire started.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alan Smith, 27 November 2023.

500-year-old Grade II listed Maidstone pub The Pilot for sale at Clive Emson auction.

A prominent pub in a busy town centre is for sale at auction.

The Pilot in Upper Stone Street, Maidstone, had been given a guide price of £260,000.

The hostelry includes residential accommodation on the upper floors, and there is a beer terrace and a sadly rather overgrown garden.

It is being offered freehold and would suit someone looking to run their own business.

The building dates from the 16th century and is Grade II listed. It has timber beams and an inglenook fireplace.

The Pilot has had a checkered history in recent years – first closing in 2017, although it later re-opened.

It also suffered a fire in an outbuilding in 2018.

The bar.

The lounge bar.

The beer terrace at the back.

It was a Harvey’s pub, the Sussex brewery’s only outlet in Maidstone.

The pub is lot 127 of 150 lots being offered for sale through Clive Emson auctioneers in a two-day sale that starts on Monday, December 11.

There is one bedroom living accommodation on the first floor and three further inter-connecting rooms in the attic.

The pub is currently vacant.