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From the
http://www.kentlive.news 03 December, 2015.
Southborough pub The Weavers' former publicans speak out.
Above photo showing Cecilia and Tony Foster and the Weavers.
THE Weavers pub and restaurant in Southborough where well-known couple
Cecilia and Tony Foster served Thai and Malaysian food for five years
remains closed this week, with doors boarded up just weeks before
Christmas.
Pub company Enterprise Inns told the Courier it had closed because the
publicans had a "change in their business circumstances".
The historic pub in London Road, a 16th century farmhouse, had been home
to the Foster family for the past five years but they left suddenly on
November 17.
Well-known
The Fosters are well-known for their food in Tunbridge Wells, having
been based at several pubs and restaurants in the town, including the
Cross Keys Inn, the Mount Edgecumbe and Indo China at the Vale Hotel.
An Enterprise Inns spokesman said: "Unfortunately, our venue The Weavers
is currently closed as we have been unable to finalise a new agreement
with the publicans following a change in their business circumstances.
"We would like to reassure the community of Southborough that we are
committed to this popular pub and are currently recruiting for a new
publican to take it on to trade."
But Cecilia Lim-Foster said she and her husband had wanted to make the
new agreement and claimed lengthy delays were caused by a succession of
managers at Enterprise.
She said: "We didn't leave on our own, they evicted us.
"We got made homeless in 24 hours. We have been there for five years and
lost our home and livelihoods."
She added: "I want to pick up all the broken pieces and rebuild our
lives again.
"We are hard-working people with not a lot of luck on our side. We
thought we had purchased a 15-year lease. But unfortunately we lost
again. It was a big kick in our teeth."
Mrs Foster said they would still be living in Tunbridge Wells.
Residents and regular customers said it was a shame the pub was closed
and spoke of their fond memories of when it was open.
Keith Sinclair, 55, of Woodbury Park Road, used to eat at The Weavers.
He said: "I think it needs a facelift. I don't think it will work unless
it is upgraded. It is a big restaurant."
Enterprise Inns said anyone interested in the business opportunity
should contact its recruitment team on 0800 953 0072 for more details.
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