A husband and wife who have owned a pub for 26 years are selling up - despite saying the business is doing “better than ever”.

Susan and Duncan Sinclair admit they are “terribly sad” to be leaving The Butt Of Sherry in Hythe high street but are now “ready to retire”.

Since taking over the Grade II-listed pub in 1998, the pair say they have built a “really good business”.

However, they are now ready to spend time “doing the things they want to do” and “enjoy their retirement”.

Mrs Sinclair, 68, told KentOnline that she has “absolutely loved” her time at the pub.

“We are very sad to be leaving because we have built the pub into a really good business but we are getting old now and want to have a bit of time doing the things we want to,” she said.

“The pub has been built from nothing and it has come a long way, especially the food trade.

“This is the best the pub has ever been doing and if we were 10 years younger we would never dream of selling up.”

The Butt Of Sherry is now up for sale with Sidney Phillips for £625,000.

Details online describe the inn as having four trade areas, four bedrooms for owner accommodation and an "attractive front trade patio".

The pub has a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor.

It was listed for sale last year at a price of £695,000, but this has now been lowered as it is an “incredibly difficult time to sell”.

Mrs Sinclair added: “The price has dropped because no one is able to borrow money at the moment.

“We always knew it was going to be a difficult time to sell.”

Since taking over the pub, Mr and Mrs Sinclair have extended the building “as far as they can” and have converted a courtyard into a conservatory room.

Mrs Sinclair says the business is a “great opportunity” but hopes things are “not changed too much”.

“It would be silly to change it when it is doing so well,” she added.

“We have had an amazing relationship with our customers and we will miss it ever so much.

“Now we want to do a bit of travelling, spend time with our family and spend more time relaxing in our garden.

“We can’t do this forever!”