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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Louis Walker, 10 September 2025.
Landlord bids to turn ‘unviable’ The Plough Inn in New Romney into two homes.
Plans have been revealed to turn a historic pub which is “running at a
loss” into two houses.
Landlord Dean Miller says The Plough Inn in New Romney is no longer
“viable”, with the pub listed for sale in 2023 for £750,000, although
this has now dropped to £680,000.
Bosses at The Plough Inn in New Romney say the business has become
unviable. Picture: CL Architects.
Rising price of bills and the cost-of-living crisis have resulted in a
“severe” drop in footfall at the venue over the last two years.
Now, a planning application has been submitted to Folkestone and Hythe
District Council (FHDC) to close the pub, and turn it into two houses
instead.
The current three-storey building, which houses a kitchen, bar, dining
area, and living quarters above, would become a three-bedroom home and a
four-bedroom home, with living space on the ground floor and
accommodation on the upper floors.
As part of the works, the more recent single-storey extension to the
rear will be demolished, but no changes to the appearance of the
original building will be made.
Although the pub has not closed, planning documents submitted by CL
Architects on behalf of the applicant say it is no longer viable.
The pub dates back to at least the 1800s. Picture taken from planning
portal: CL Architects.
They say since the current owner acquired the pub in October 2021, they
had two years of successful trading, leading to heavy investment in
internal and external renovations.
But ever since, there has been a steady decline in business.
“The Plough relies on the increased tourist business during the summer
months to compensate for quieter winter months,” the statement said.
“Following the Covid-19 pandemic and the beginning of the cost-of-living
crisis, the business has seen a severe decline in the number of
customers visiting, resulting in a poor cash flow.
“This, combined with rising running costs and significant refurbishment
works, was a reason for the pub running at a loss.
Historic photograph of The Plough Inn in New Romney show the previous
use as a pair of cottages. Picture: CL Architects.
“The Plough Inn has been marketed for sale for over 24 months and for
let for over 16 months, both with little success.
“Five viewings took place in this period, two from the same applicant,
but no formal offers have been received.”
Other attempts to bring in business, including hiring a bouncy castle
and the addition of a seafood stall to the pub's garden, have proved
unsuccessful.
The planning documents also noted that in the last year in New Romney,
the "Smugglers’ Alehouse" permanently closed, and the
"Cinque Port Arms" hit
the market.
Landlord of The Plough Inn in New Romney, Dean Miller.
A decision on the plans by FHDC is expected later this year.
Previously, Mr Miller branded Kent County Council a “joke” after they
ordered him to tear down a barrier he spent £8,500 installing to protect
pedestrians near his business.
The local authority said it was installed on public land and the
guardrail posed “a public safety concern as it causes an obstruction”. |
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