From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Max Chesson, 9 April 2023.

Shepherd Neame pub The George Inn, Newnham, near Faversham closes.

The landlords of an award-winning village pub which unexpectedly shut have thanked residents for their support - as speculation lingers over the future of the boozer.

The George Inn in Newnham abruptly closed its doors in March after the financial pressure on husband and wife tenants Dave and Claire Elliott became too much for the couple to sustain.

Landlords Claire Elliott and Dave Elliott lived at the pub in Newnham, pictured with MP Helen Whately, centre. Picture: Helen Whately.

Shepherd Neame, the owners of the business, confirmed the inn will remain closed until new tenants are found - with no clear timeframe as to when that could be.

Dave, who also worked as the pub’s chef, spoke of his sadness to be leaving but felt that the duo’s stint had been a success.

He told KentOnline: “For five years I lived the dream with Claire by my side making it work, we had a great time and in my eyes it was a success.

“We don’t want it to be a sob story because it isn’t. I’m gutted but we’ve had a cracking five years and we’ve made countless friends in our time.

“For us, it literally was our home and the customers were our bread and butter, it genuinely felt like inviting friends into your living room.

“We’re so thankful for the love and support we’ve had, a lot of people supported us and we’re glad we could create a homely atmosphere that people enjoyed drinking and eating at.”

Since taking over in June 2018 the pair had become integrated in Newnham, using the pub to host events such as music festival Georgefest and the annual village fete.

The 18th-century inn had also become a crucial part of the community during the pandemic, being used as a parcel drop-off point, a farm shop and launching a food delivery service.

But in December last year, the Taylor family announced they were set to depart the boozer in 2023 due to the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

And after experiencing a “financially drowning” start to the year, Dave and Claire made the decision to close up early with last orders coming in on March 5.

It was believed the duo planned to move out by around mid-May, with Shepherd Neame advertising the vacancy as early as January.

Dave, who has since moved his family into a home elsewhere in the village, spoke of his concern for the industry with seemingly no end in sight to the economic hardship.

“During Covid, Shepherd Neame were absolutely brilliant and I think everybody could see that,” said the 46-year-old.

“If it wasn’t for the way things are economically, we’d still be running it but things just doubled in price overnight and we had to sacrifice the business to pay our bills.

“But times are so hard, everyone is struggling and it’s hard to know for sure what to do or what could be done.
“I’ll be honest, I struggle to think of who would take over a pub in this time. It was financially drowning us.”

Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately paid tribute to the duo’s tenure at the pub, telling KentOnline Dave and Claire’s presence as village pub landlords would be sorely missed.

Helen had previously nominated the George Inn in the Pub Aid Community Pub Hero awards, which recognises licensees and teams who go the extra mile.

“This is such sad news. Dave and Claire have done so much for the local community and Newnham won’t be the same without them,” said Ms Whately.

“I am sure the whole village joins me in wishing them well, and I have no doubt they’ll make a huge success of whatever they go on to do.”

As well as this, the inn had previously won Heart of the Community Pub of the Year at Shepherd Neame’s 2022 Pub Awards for its service to the area.

Despite no news of who is set to take over the pub yet though, bosses at Shepherd Neame have been keen to reassure villagers the inn’s days are not done yet.

Greg Wallis, director of tenanted trade operations at Shepherd Neame, thanked the landlord couple for their service and confirmed the plans to keep looking for a new tenant.

He said: “David and Claire have done a fantastic job at The George Inn over the past five years.

“The George Inn is currently closed while we recruit new licensees to take over.

“As a popular destination dining pub, it is a great entrepreneurial business opportunity and we are confident that the business will be re-opening shortly.”

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Max Chesson, 20 July 2024.

Boss of Shepherd Neame’s The George Inn near Faversham: ‘We need to try something different'.

The new boss of a pub which has seen three landlords in 15 months says he must “try something a bit different” to survive.

Rob Marshall also stressed food has become an “inherent part of pub culture” amid The George Inn’s grand reopening near Faversham.

The George Inn, Newnham, has reopened with Rob Marshall as the new landlord.

Mr Marshall’s arrival marks the third managerial change in, what has been, a tumultuous 15 months for the 18th-century Newnham based Shepherd Neame establishment.

It comes as pubs across Kent and the country face a torrid time staying afloat as bills soar and customers’ drinking habit change owed, in part, to the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Marshall, who previously ran the "Square Peg" (restaurant) in Tunbridge Wells but had the George in his sights since 2011, described last Friday’s reopening as a resounding success.

He told KentOnline: “It's the pub I've always wanted and it's just like the planets have aligned.

“I think it's a fantastic opportunity, it's the right kind of setting for us and it's a good size.

“Ever since I first came here, I loved it and it’s held my attention and my imagination since.”

The chef of 15 years told how the George intends to be open seven days a week offering a bar menu throughout the day and a la carte menu in the evenings.

Sunday lunches are also expected to be on the menu.

Still in developed, the menu so far includes Welsh rarebit, beef shin, crispy pig’s head and more traditional offerings such as ploughman’s lunch and sausage and mash.

Although not a fan of the term ‘gastropub’, the new tenant is under no illusions the food offering will be key to any success the George Inn could achieve.

But explaining how he didn’t want the spot to be seen as a restaurant, Mr Marshall continued: “I think to try and capture the imaginations of as many people as possible, I think you do have to do something a bit different.”

“There's very few pubs that only do drink now, I think food is almost an inherent part of pub culture now.

“But you can pop in for a glass of wine, a coffee or a light bite, or you could come for a date night – it’s a lovely old character property where you can have all of those things.

“We can't be all things to everyone, and we wouldn't pretend to be, but we certainly will try to offer lots of different opportunities for people to come here and enjoy the pub without having to commit to the expense of a three-course meal.

“Because it isn't a restaurant. It is very much a pub.”

The formal dining area at the George Inn.

News of the inn reopening comes following a period of worry amongst residents concerned over the future of the long-established boozer.

The pub has struggled in the past to be viable for tenants, with Covid and the cost of living crisis ultimately forcing multiple landlords out.

In April 2023, Dave and Claire Elliott departed after admitting they were “financially drowning” during their time at the inn.

Whilst new hosts Tom Gravett and Renata Peret moved in swiftly to fill the gap, they were only able to stay for five months before the pub shut on New Year’s Day – saying they were “unable to sustain our business model”.

The pub will offer more casual seating as well as a dining area.

Greg Wallis, the director of tenanted pub operations at Shepherd Neame, told KentOnline: “We are delighted that we have now recruited a new licensee at The George Inn.”

This summer alone, KentOnline has reported on several pubs either struggling or closing.

Staff at the "Flying Saucer" in Hempstead were unexpectedly told of their pub’s closure in June while, more recently, a road closure in Ashford spelled trouble for landlords.

Publicans told how customer numbers would be severely slashed when roadworks close Newtown Road, Ashford, for six weeks.