From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chantal Weller, 15 June 2022.

The Riverside Inn, Ashford, goes on market as owners plan Spain move.

The owners of a popular pub have decided to put it on the market to make their dream move to Spain a reality.

Teresa and Jon Booth have run The Riverside Inn in Torrington Road, Ashford, for the last 16 years.

But the leasehold for the site, which is on the banks of the River Stour, is now available for offers in excess of £70,000.

"It's always been my dream to live abroad, ever since I was little," Mrs Booth said.

"I got to 50 and I thought if I don't do it now, then I'm not going to do it."

The pair first decided to put the property on the market in 2019.

"We looked at selling pre-pandemic, we had no game plan on how long we were going to be in the business for but we felt we had got to a point in our lives where we wanted to move on," Mr Booth said.

Teresa and Jon Booth at The Riverside Inn.

Despite the pandemic striking just after they had put the property on the market, the pair felt their business didn't suffer a knock-on effect.

"We had a long established business before the pandemic," Mrs Booth said.

"With the grants that the government gave us, we were able to keep afloat and reopen in April last year.

"We were one of the lucky ones because we have a huge marquee outside so we did really well and haven't looked back."

Although they don't know when they might find a buyer, the pair are positive the business will continue to thrive under new management.

Teresa and Jon were happy to reopen outdoors in April with their marquee seating 60.

"I think people are more sceptical to take on a pub after the pandemic, but knowing how much help we got and the fact that we got through it, because of that we are so much stronger," Mrs Booth said.

"I think all the pubs that were able to open their doors again on April 12 after the pandemic can only go from strength to strength.

"We've hardly been to Spain at all since the pandemic so we're really excited but a little bit anxious too; it's a big step."