From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk 5 November 2018.

The William Harvey pub in Church Road, Willesborough, to reopen after revamp.

A popular pub which has lain empty for six months is to reopen following a lengthy refurbishment.

The William Harvey, in Church Road, Willesborough, has been taken on by business partners Petra Buckley and Colleen Chapman.

A new kitchen has been fitted and extensive redecoration has been carried out.

Miss Buckley, who currently heads a department in a Canary Wharf-based pension company, says managing the Enterprise Inns-owned pub in Ashford "happened almost by accident".

She said: "We were interested in another pub nearby but the regional manager at Enterprise Inns asked us if we wanted to run it instead.

"To see how much work was required was a bit disheartening but we still saw the potential.

It's a great location with ample parking.

"We will have something for everyone and really want to make it into a family-friendly destination.

"We are hoping to start sports teams for football, darts and cribbage.

"Following a complete overhaul of the restaurant and decoration, it will not look exactly the same, but have a familiar feel."

Large-scale restoration work is being carried out on the beer garden, with decking being removed or cleaned up, as well as a major landscaping effort and the re-instatement of the pub's children's play area.

The landlords - who are neighbours in Ruckinge - have previous experience of managing Kentish pubs.

The duo will offer traditional pub food alongside an extensive vegan menu, with their vast array of drinks including two cask ales and vegan wine brands.

Live music will also feature with owners promoting 1980s and tribute bands.

The pub, which will open daily from 12pm to 11pm, will relaunch on Friday.

The reopening event, which will run from 6pm, will see a DJ performing, a buffet and the opening of its restaurant for prospective punters to see what it will look like.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Charlie Harman, 20 August 2019.

Brutal assault at the William Harvey Pub in Ashford.

A man had to be revived after suffering a brutal beating at a pub.

Etienne Bailey sustained numerous facial injuries after being attacked at the William Harvey Inn, Ashford last Thursday.

Two men set upon the 51-year-old at around 7.55pm, with the man allegedly being "hit several times over the head with fire extinguishers knocking him unconscious".

Etienne Bailey suffered extensive injuries following the horrific assault.

A fundraiser set up to help pay his bills and rent has raised more than £2,000.

A post on the page added that the men "continued the attack until other people intervened and the offenders fled the scene."

Being transferred from the Church Road pub to the William Harvey Hospital, the victim had to be resuscitated due to his injuries.

Mr Bailey - known as Tiny to his friends - couldn't breathe through his nose due to bleeding and a split mouth meant he could only drink.

It's believed that his head is fractured, and scans have been sent for analysis.

Five days later, his eyes are still too swollen to open.

The victim, a popular face at the supermarket he works in, is expected to be unable to work for at least four weeks and a fundraiser is hoping to alleviate the financial issues that would entail.

So far £2,204 has been raised by the three-day-old Gofundme campaign, which has already been shared more than 2,000 times.

Police are now appealing for information relating to the assault.

A police spokeswoman said: "Crime Scene Investigators have gathered forensic evidence from the scene. Officers are also examining CCTV footage of the incident. Enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information should call the Kent Police East Kent appeal line on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/157567/19.

"Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Eleanor Perkins, 6 November 2019.

CCTV released after man suffers serious facial injuries in pub assault in Willesborough.

CCTV images have been released after a man was repeatedly punched and kicked in a pub assault.

The incident occurred at the William Harvey Inn in Church Road, Willesborough, around 8pm on Thursday, August 15.

The 51-year-old victim suffered serious injuries to his face and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police have carried out forensic analysis of the scene, spoken to witnesses and reviewed all available CCTV.

Now detectives would like to identify the man in these pictures.

They believe he may have important information.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Liane Castle, 23 January 2023.

Landlords to leave the William Harvey Inn, Ashford, after four years.

Bosses behind a popular pub are selling up just four months after a major redesign as rising costs have made it "harder than ever to stay afloat".

Landlady Colleen Chapman took over Ashford's William Harvey Inn with her family in 2018 and since then has worked to shift its previous "bad reputation".

The Willesborough site went through a revamp and introduced new Thai and Caribbean menus just four months ago, but the rising cost of living and increasing bills have made it too difficult to continue.

Ms Chapman's grandson and bar manager, Charlie Smith, said: "Leaving The William Harvey Inn has not been an easy decision for us, and we are all truly gutted that our time here is coming to an end.

"Over the past four years we have formed great relationships with all of our customers, and the sense of community is heartwarming.

"Unfortunately, our current outgoings have meant that our business is unsustainable.

"With the gas and electricity prices soaring, and our crippling business rates, it is harder than ever to stay afloat.

Colleen Chapman and grandson Charlie Smith are leaving the pub after four years.

The restaurant was given a makeover in the redesign.

The pub's garden was popular with families.

"All of this combined with the rise of beer costs in April 2023 has led to our current situation.

"Thank you to all our regular customers, old and new, particularly those who try their best to support us in any way they can, including our ‘Karate Club’, ‘Church Choir Club’ and our infamous ‘Friday Club’!

"We would also like to extend a note of appreciation to Jay and Kim, Kelly and Jim and Steve and Andy.

We would like to wish the new owners the best of luck, and hope that they enjoy the pub as much as we all have.

The fire place was turned into a cosy area for families.

New managers will take over on March 2.

"Also, we’d like to say a massive thank you to Tracy Cronk, who has played a huge part in keeping the pub alive.

"She is not only a fantastic bar maid but now also a part of our extended family."

Mr Smith oversaw the recent revamp of the Grade II-listed historic pub.

The team spent four days refreshing the bar and restaurant inside, and two days repainting the exterior walls to brighten up the facility in Church Road.

The bathrooms and the pool room have also been renovated and sofas now sit in front of the historic fireplace to create a cosy space.

Ms Chapman's last day behind the bar will be February 28 with the new managers set to take over two days later.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Liane Castle, 27 May 2023.

New team behind William Harvey Pub in Willesborough, Ashford, spend £100k on revamp.

A popular pub has been given a £100,000 makeover after new owners took over.

The William Harvey pub in Willesborough, Ashford, is now run by 37-year-old Jay Sheard after the previous landlady sold up amid the cost-of-living-crisis.

Mr Sheard runs 16 other pubs across Kent and Essex through his business Alexis Pubs and Bars, but says the renovations at the William Harvey in Church Road make it the best one yet.

“This has been the best uplift in terms of the community and aesthetics we have ever had,” he explained.

“Everyone is happy they have a nice pub back in the community for them to come and use.

“It wasn't in a good state, we had to rip up floors and damp proof everything.

“Now the fireplace is a focal point again, the canopy above the bar has been taken out, we have brand new furniture, and flooring.

New floors have been added to the pub in Willesborough.

“The only thing the same is the bar.”

The pub stayed open throughout the renovations but more work is yet to take place in the garden.

This is the second time in less than a year the pub has been renovated as previous landlady Colleen Chapman and her grandson Charlie Smith gave the place a facelift in September.

The pair took over the pub in 2018 and worked hard to restore it’s reputation but rising costs made it "harder than ever to stay afloat" leading to them selling up.

While other pubs are closing, Mr Sheard is confident he has what it takes for the site to be a success.

The previous owners sold up due to rising costs.

“This pub ticks all the boxes, it's in a good area, has a beautiful garden, a good layout, it’s a beautiful building, it will always be a pub,” he said.

The pub has been given a makeover.

“A lot of pubs are closing but not as many as you think and they close because of poor operators, not poor pubs.

“Some can be, and are still successful.”