From the https://www.kentlive.news By Lauren MacDougall, 21 December 2019.

The 33 pubs in Kent you have to drink at in 2020 according to CAMRA.

In total Kent has heaps of pubs listed in the guide and, while 33 of these are new entries, others have appeared in previous editions of the guide.

A total of 33 pubs from around Kent make up the new entries that feature in the 2020 edition of the Good Beer Guide.

The guide is produced annually by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the independent guide to the best boozers in the UK that is researched by unpaid and independent volunteers nationwide.

Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s chief executive, said: “For nearly five decades, the Good Beer Guide has been a comprehensive guide to the UK’s breweries, their ales, and the best outlets to find them in across the country.

“What makes the Guide unique is that all the entries are compiled and vetted by a huge volunteer team, based around the country. We work hard to ensure that all areas of the country are covered and, unlike with some competitor titles, inclusion in this book is dependent only on merit, not on payment.

“The Good Beer Guide has always had an important role in acting as a barometer of the beer and pub industry. We believe information gleaned from the Guide is absolutely vital in the drive to save our pubs from closure and campaign for policies that better support pubs, local brewers and their customers.”

This pub is included in the 2020 list.

Dartford Jug, Dartford.

What the guide says: "Dartford’s first micropub, with seating on modified beer casks at the front, leading to fixed tables and stools and a serving counter at the rear.

"The bar is decorated with a map and pictures of old Dartford."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Elli Hodgson, 20 April 2024.

The Long Dog pub in Market Street, Dartford has licence revoked after police submit CCTV evidence of alleged drug use and supply on-site.

A micropub has lost its licence after police presented CCTV evidence of alleged illegal drug use by staff and customers on 133 occasions.

The premises licence for the Long Dog in Market Street, Dartford has been revoked by Dartford council following the identification of “very serious issues”.

It comes after police submitted a review of the licence for the business, formerly known as the "Dartford Jug," following alleged breaches of conditions.

In a representation to Dartford council’s licencing sub-committee last month, PC Andre Smuts presented evidence collected by police, including an examination of the Long Dog’s CCTV.

The police believed the footage provided evidence for alleged drug supply on the premises, alleged drug use of staff and customers, along with evidence the premises remained open after licensing hours and permitted children on site after 7pm in breach of the licencing hours.

Officers cited 133 times where it was alleged the video evidence showed use of illegal drugs, cocaine and cannabis on the premises - 64 of which was connected to the premises’ licence holder, Mr Daniel Farr.

While no criminal charges have been brought against the holder, who has held the licence since July 2021, police also said in the report the results of a drug swipe test indicated the presence of an illegal substance on the premises.

Darryl Crossman, the representative for Mr Farr, told the sub-committee his behaviour was “not appropriate” but it had arisen due to personal and mental health issues for which he was seeking “medical assistance.”

In Mr Crossman’s statement, it was proposed that the premises licence should be transferred to the co-owner of the pub, Mr Bray, who had completed the necessary qualification and would be applying for a personal licence.

The representative also explained that staff who were allegedly seen taking drugs were no longer employed and Mr Bray would ensure that if Mr Farr remained an employee, he would “never be the sole member of staff on site”.

Turning to the police evidence, the licensing agent said that children had been present outside of permitted hours on one occasion for a 50th birthday celebration and argued there was no conclusive evidence substances being used on the premises were illegal drugs.

Mr Crossman highlighted nothing had been detected on the premises during a routine visit involving police sniffer dogs.

However, after seeking clarification on several points and retiring to make a decision, the sub-committee concluded they had “no-confidence” the licensing objectives would be promoted and so had no choice but to revoke the licence.

A statement from the sub-committee read: “Given the very serious issues raised by the police and the breaches of the licence that have clearly taken place, the sub-committee were persuaded by the police’s arguments and felt they had no alternative but to take the most serious step by revoking the licence.

“The sub-committee in making their decision noted that Mr Bray (who is still the co-owner and now the proposed designated premises supervisor) had been involved in the premises since August 2022 and yet the licensing objectives have been seriously undermined as outlined in the application.

“The sub-committee had no faith, after hearing from all parties, that the licensing objectives would be upheld if this course of action was not taken, appreciating the fact that a revocation would normally only be taken as a last resort.

“Therefore, it was felt both appropriate and necessary for the licence to be revoked.”

The Long Dog was licenced to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises and for the playing of recorded music.

It has operated as a pub since June 2018. Prior to that it was an Indian takeway.

All parties now have until Thursday, April 25 to appeal against the decision to the magistrates court.

The police and Dartford council declined to comment.

Mr Farr also declined to comment pending the outcome of any future appeal process.