The White Horse and the Queen’s Head in Boughton-under-Blean, near Faversham, could both close before end of year

A village’s two pubs could both close before the end of the year - with bosses of one saying it is “not financially viable to keep going”.

The White Horse, a 15th-century inn in The Street, Boughton-under-Blean, near Faversham, will shut next month, it has been confirmed.

Meanwhile, the landlady of the Queen’s Head, a five-minute walk away down the same road, has also said she will be quitting her pub.

In July, bosses at the Boughton boozers told how they had teamed up with two other nearby Shepherd Neame venues - The Three Horseshoes, a stone’s throw away in Hernhill, and The Railway Tavern in Faversham.

All four have been helping each other with pulling pints, sharing barrels and co-ordinating events via a WhatsApp group as they saw it as “the only way for us all to thrive”.

But Claire Ealham – who only took over The White Horse in May with partner Lee and daughter Molly – has confirmed they will be leaving already.

“Unfortunately due to ongoing circumstances we are having to give up the pub,” she wrote on social media.

“We are truly grateful for our time here, no matter how short-lived it was, but as a whole it’s just not financially viable to keep going.

“Thank you for those that have shown their support as we are truly grateful to have been given this opportunity.”

The White Horse have its last full day of trading on October 5, with a final breakfast service the following day.

Claire and Lee confirmed they would still be trading from their other pub, the Red Lion in Charing Heath.

News of The White Horse’s imminent closure comes shortly after Claire Hammond-Miller of the Queen’s Head also revealed she would be handing in her notice to Shepherd Neame.

Citing a desire to spend more time with family, Mrs Hammond-Miller has expressed hopes of staying open until at least after Halloween.

Shepherd Neame’s director of tenanted pub operations, Greg Wallis, said: “We are committed to retaining both these pubs in Boughton, and are actively looking for new licensees at both the Queen’s Head and the White Horse.

“We are confident that both of these fantastic pubs will continue to serve the community for many years to come.”