Folkestone Herald 20 June 1986.

Advertising Feature.

Looking at The Park Inn you would be forgiven for thinking Folkestone has a new pub.

Although it is the same building the old Central Hotel used to occupy, new owners Carole and Vinny Bushell have completely refurbished the interior. Gone are the dark carpets and dim lights and a new continental bar with a clean bright atmosphere has taken their place. As you walk into the bar this new look hits you. Pine coloured wood, glass and mirrors and marble effect bar and table tops bring warmth to the room. Set off by the dominant colour, green with plants drooping from the bar and ceiling and Casablanca type fans, the atmosphere conjures up the nearby Radnor Park. It all leads to a cheerful and lively place to go for a drink. Draught beers, cask beers, wines and spirits are all served by friendly bar staff. Whether you are young or old, in a group or twosome or on your own, you will find a warm welcome at The Park Inn. The kitchen, cellar and toilets have also been completely refurbished, giving a new lease of life to the old hotel. Food is on sale in the pub with lunches of a wide range of home-made pies, curries, vegetables and salads all for under £2. And in the evenings basket meals will be available.

So if you feel like a relaxing drink overlooking Folkestone's hundred year old park this is the place for you. Whether you are relaxing after a long journey or waiting for a train the pub is only a stone's throw from the Central station and will provide a welcome break. Carole and Vinny Bushell invite you to come and form your own impressions. “There simply is no other pub in Folkestone like it “, they proudly say. The new look pub in Radnor Park Road was opened for the first time last Wednesday and has already proved very popular.

Folkestone Herald 23 February 1990.

Local News.

Landlord and lady Peter and Marie Hayes have taken over The Guildhall pub on The Bayle, at Folkestone. The couple have managed the Park Inn, Folkestone, for the last three and a half years. Now they are becoming their own bosses by taking up a tenancy at the Guildhall.

Peter and Marie have become well-known for their friendly service and hope regulars at the Guildhall will get to know them as well as their customers at the Park Inn did. Marie said “We really want to say a big “Thank you” to our old customers. We hope they will come and see us at The Guildhall”. Peter added “There will be a big welcome for customers old and new when they come here. It will be great to be my own boss; I'm looking forward to the challenge”.

The present Guildhall pub used to be The Globe. The old Guildhall has been replaced by Folkestone's Pizza Hut. The Globe was renamed when the landlady of The Guildhall moved there several years ago. The landlady was Eileen Lewis, whose mother had run the old Guildhall for 40 years. Eileen ran the Guildhall until her death last year.

Peter is from Northampton and Marie from Sheffield. Peter said “We may have been here just a few years, but we have both known the area for 15 years. We used to visit it quite a lot”.

Folkestone Herald 11 September 1992.

Local News.

Pubs are shutting down tomorrow (Saturday) for fear of violence after an Anti-Nazi demo. Campaigners say they will demonstrate at Folkestone Central railway station against an expected rally there by Nazi skinheads. And some publicans, particularly in the Harbour area, are taking no chances with their property and staff.

The assistant manager of the Royal George in Beach Street, who did not want to be named, said “We could be in a prime area for trouble and we are shutting all day. It is not worth staying open, even if only a few hundred pounds worth of damage is caused”.

Landlady Sue Welch said her pub, the London and Paris in Harbour Street, would certainly close during the day and possibly in the evening. She said “The place could get wrecked. We can't risk that”. Her son, barman Alan, 19, said “There could be real danger. This is the area where there is most likely to be trouble because Fascists from Europe may travel here by Seacat”.

Some pubs and bars, such as Jolson's in Tontine Street, are definitely staying open. A member of staff, who did not want to be named, said “We didn't close when the bombs and shells came down during the war. Why should we close now for a bunch of skinhead idiots?”

Other pubs are taking advice from the police and may make their decisions tomorrow morning.

A spokesman at the Park Inn, next to Folkestone Central Station, said “A lot of people are frightened by this. I know of some people who say they won't go into work at the town centre tomorrow. But we don't know if we will shut because we are not certain the rally will go ahead”.

Last Saturday anti-fascist activists leafleted the town asking people to attend the demonstration. Anti-Nazi League member Kelvin Williams told the Herald 4,000 flyers were handed out and 500 names taken on a petition. He said “I've done a few of these in my time and I have never known such a favourable response. My guess is there will be 400 people turning up”.

Last week a spokesman for the far-right Blood and Honour organisation, which had hoped to stage a concert in Folkestone, said nothing was now planned.

But Mr. Williams countered this week; “Our information is that they will be mobilising in London to come down here”.

Jon Steel, a spokesman for Kent Police, said “People ought not to be panicking because if there is any disturbance it will be quashed very quickly. We will have whatever resources are necessary to deal with whatever happens”.

Folkestone Herald 15 September 1994.

Advertising Feature.

Patrons of the Park Inn Hotel in Radnor Park Road, Folkestone, are in for a treat this coming weekend, September 17 and 18. There is going to be a grand re-opening of the popular hotel and night spot after skilful hands have been at work refurbishing and creating attractive new decor and even better surroundings.

A celebration weekend has been arranged with entertainment on both evening, including live music from the fabulous “Bald Brothers”, excitement and suspense from a free raffle with a top prize of a television set, and an excellent free buffet to keep up energy levels.

From 7.30 to 11 p.m. each night this is the place to be in Folkestone, with a very warm welcome extended by the new manager and manageress Paul and Denise Gregory. All their enthusiasm and expertise will be thrown into making both nights memorable for customers old and new.

If you're a Park Inn regular you won't need any urging to go along and join in the fun. But if you've not had the pleasure of wining and dining there, or sampling the hotel's brand of entertainment, then make a point of dropping in for a good night out. The Hotel's restaurant will soon be operating fully again – look in next week's paper for news of this – but in the meantime come along and get acquainted with the smashing atmosphere that's been created in the newly-refurbished Park Inn Hotel.

Folkestone Herald 22 September 1994.

Advertising Feature.

The newly refurbished Park Inn Hotel, in Radnor Park Road, Folkestone, is already attracting a lively crowd with its mixture of entertainment, welcoming staff and attractive new decor. But from today the hotel is adding a new string to its bow by serving a choice of wonderful food at lunchtimes. Fromm filling jacket potatoes to chips and sandwiches, the Park Inn is sure to have something to suit every taste.

New manager, Paul Gregory, said “I'm very excited about the changes we're introducing. Having food at lunchtime is just the first step. If it goes as well as we think we will hopefully extend the menu. There's a great atmosphere here and we're already very popular. We get a good crowd in”.

Other new attractions at the hotel include a pair of new pool tables, a top-of-the-range CD jukebox stacked with all the latest hits and a fruit machine which gives out prizes instead of tokens.

The Park Inn's hand-pulled beers are also popular, with Boddington's and Shepherd Neame's Masterbrew available on draught. And Paul promises a monthly guest beer.

Exciting pop bands are also being lined up to play at the hotel following a vibrant set by the fabulous “Bald Brothers” at last week's opening night.

But don't forget it still has 13 bed and breakfast rooms on offer with prices starting at a mere £15 per person per night.