From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Williams, 27 April 2020.

Coronavirus Kent: Kings Head at Shadoxhurst and The Flying Horse at Boughton Aluph open as pop-up shops for villagers.

Two pubs which were forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak have transformed into pop-up shop providing essential items for villagers.

Fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, biscuits, cheese and flour are now available to buy at the "Kings Head" in Shadoxhurst, near Ashford.

A pop-up shop has opened at the "Kings Head" in Shadoxhurst during coronavirus lockdown. Picture: John Tomas.

Landlords Julie and Ian Clark are also making fresh cakes, bread and pastries for their customers, as well as made to order birthday cakes.

Mrs Clark, who has run the pub for 18 years, said: "After we closed on that Friday it was a bit of a shock. We were all left in limbo.

"We had a bit of stock leftover so thought we would help out the villagers.

"But now we are ordering stock regularly to sell.

"We get milk, fruit and vegetables and flour when the supplier has it. We also make fresh cakes and bread.

A wide selection of fresh food is on offer. Picture: John Tomas.

"It's keeping the pub going. I think if the pub had closed its doors completely it would have been very sad.

"But it is keeping us busy too. We've met so many nice people who have come in."

The new pop-up shop is open Thursday to Sunday and has been very well received by those living near by.

Mum of four Mrs Clark added: "A lot of the people who live here are older and might have to get a bus to go to the shops.

"And if anyone needs anything specific we can try and order it in for them."

Julie and Ian Clark with their four children. Picture: Julie Clark.

Customer John Tomas has praised the couple for all their hard work.

He said: "They have been a great help to the village and those of us who don’t like or feel safe to queue at larger supermarkets.

"It has grown to offer a large range of fruit and vegetables to fresh meat, cheeses, milk, bread, flour and BBQ packs.

"The landlady is a former pastry chef and she’s offering daily selection of cakes, puddings, hot pasties and sausage rolls - all the essentials and much more, even delivering to some high risk elderly villagers.

"They have done a great job and have been great supporters of the village over the past 18 years and deserve some recognition."

The pub is also offering take-away dinners.

And it is a similar situation at the "Flying Horse" in Boughton Aluph, also near Ashford.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Louis Walker, 15 February 2025.

Shepherd Neame in search for new landlord to take on The King’s Head pub in Shadoxhurst, near Ashford.

The owners of a village’s only pub have confirmed they are “working as hard as they can” to see it reopened to the public.

Shepherd Neame has announced it is recruiting a new licensee to take over The King’s Head in Shadoxhurst, near Ashford.

Shepheard Neame is looking for new landlords to take on The King's Head pub in Shadoxhurst, near Ashford.

The watering hole closed in December last year, leaving many wondering what would become of it.

But the director of tenanted pub operations at Britain’s oldest brewer, Greg Wallis, has confirmed the search for a new landlord is underway.

In a statement, he said: “We can confirm that we are currently recruiting new licensees to take over The King’s Head, Shadoxhurst.

“We are confident in the pub’s future and have plans for further external investment when the right applicant is found.”

A spokesperson for Shepherd Neame continued: “I can assure you we are working hard to get new tenants.

“A closed pub is not what we want, and we are doing everything we can to get it open.”

The King's Head pub in Shadoxhurst near Ashford has been closed since December 22 last year.

They added that, currently, there is no date for the pub to reopen, but they are working hard to resolve the situation.

It is not known why the previous tenants left, but the closure has left many villagers fearful for the pub's future.

Commenting on social media, one resident said: “I know not everyone used the pub, but it’s vital to a village community to have one.

“I’ve seen first-hand what happens to a village that loses its pub. Often, the land is sold to developers!

“It’s a tough gig, but it has so much potential and I’d rather it back than another block of houses if we don’t support the new landlord.”

Another added: “Would you want to run or part-run a pub? It’s more than a full-time job with early morning and late nights.

The King's Head is the only pub in Shadoxhurst, near Ashford.

“It takes very dedicated people and is a lot of work.”

A further commenter added: “How strange. It was a great pub with good food and will be missed. It always looked busy.”

Others hope whoever takes on the pub will be able to draw in the crowds.

“I hope the next owners are experienced landlords and know how to create that welcoming atmosphere coupled with amazing food,” one person said.

“That’s what draws people to a pub.”