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The 21 pubs looking for new landlords across Kent

05:00, 16 September 2023

updated: 06:39, 18 September 2023

Have you got what it takes to man the pumps and steer the traditional British pub to a brighter future? Or do you just fancy holding court behind the bar, a’ la Al Murray the Pub Landlord...

Either way, pub company Stonegate has plenty of opportunities, with the group owning thousands of establishments around the UK and currently looking for new landlords across Kent.

The Swan Inn at Little Chart
The Swan Inn at Little Chart

Here are the company’s pubs in need of new leadership around the county:

The Swan, in The Street, Little Chart is being offered for a fixed term tenancy with a guide rent of £615 per week, and a potential turnover of £387,000.

Stonegate says it’s looking for a publican “whether experienced or new to the trade”, who can develop the 16th Century village pub.

The Beauty of Bath, College Road, Sittingbourne:

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Turnover: £485,000. Introductory. Rent per week: £288

Situated on the edge of Sittingbourne, on a large corner site in a well populated area, The Beauty of Bath site has a sports bar, main bar and pool table to host pub games.

The Beauty of Bath pub in Sittingbourne
The Beauty of Bath pub in Sittingbourne

Stonegate says the already well-established outdoor space consists of “a large, grassed beer garden, with opportunity to develop an outdoor bar area”, and an additional marquee on the property.

Bull Inn, Lower Road, East Farleigh

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £361,000. Guide Rent per week: £654

Previously home to a controversial petting zoo, this pub last served customers in September last year, but is a much-missed focal point of the village with a long history.

While the current building dates back to the turn of the 20th Century, a former building, demolished in 1899, is thought to date back several centuries.

The Bull Inn at East Farleigh
The Bull Inn at East Farleigh

Stonegate say it is seeking a publican who will “deliver a strong food offer for both locals and a drive-to customer base and create a village community hub with events to bring the village together.”

The Blacksmiths Arms, The Street, Willesborough.

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £665,000. Guide Rent per week: £962

A country pub on the outskirts of the town of Ashford, the Blacksmiths Arms also has a large proportion trade coming from staff and visitors to the nearby William Harvey Hospital.

Stonegate says the the pub is a primarily food led business, but adds: “More than 50% is wet trade (drinks-based) from a mix of local office workers and a regular drinking trade from the many residents around the pub. Outside a large hidden garden would benefit from development, and could accomodate a full children’s play area.”

The Blacksmiths Arms in Willesborough
The Blacksmiths Arms in Willesborough

Stonegate is now seeking “an experienced couple who have the expertise to grow a strong food trade and increase wet sales, continuing the successful trade already built.”

Woodland Tavern/Canterbury Arms, Canterbury Street, Gillingham

Fixed Term Tenancy Potential Turnover: £189,000. Guide Rent per week: £125

Once a popular music venue, the Canterbury Arms still has its raised stage area for live music. Stonegate calls it a “classic community pub” which “appeals to a wide-ranging community” and is just a short walk from Gillingham town centre.

The Canterbury Tales, formerly Woodlands Tavern, in Gillingham
The Canterbury Tales, formerly Woodlands Tavern, in Gillingham

The pub is a one bar servery internally, and is a drinks based operation. Stonegate adds: “This pub requires a publican whether experienced or new to the trade who can grow the opportunity and develop it within the community.”

Monks Head, Constitution Hill, Snodland

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £253,000. Guide Rent per week: £298

Situated close to Snodland town centre and surrounded by the town’s residential areas, The Monks Head consists of of two bars joined by a central servery, each with the capacity for 25-30 people.

There is an additional room in the rear conservatory which houses the pool table and games machine, with access to the large beer garden.

The Monks Head in Snodland
The Monks Head in Snodland

Stonegate is seeking a “wet-let community driven publican to take on this fantastic pub”.

Five Bells, Stoke Road, Hoo

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £223,000. Guide Rent per week: £308

A large community pub in Hoo, The Five Bells has plenty of space with a saloon bar, dining area, large function room and a spacious beer garden.

Stonegate is looking for “an experienced publican or someone with experience of running and developing a food operation who can look to develop the offer of food to attract further trade.”

The Five Bells in Hoo
The Five Bells in Hoo

And the company says there is a “fantastic opportunity to utilise the beer garden and large function room to maximise revenue.”

Plough, St John’s Road, Whitstable

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £647,000. Guide Rent per week: £865

A large roadside pub in Swalecliffe, nearby a very large summer holiday camp, The Plough is described as “traditionally decorated with modern touches and plenty of natural light.”

The bright and airy function room is perfect for hiring out for parties, and events, as well as hosting live music, while the pub has a large wrap around garden to the side and rear.

The Plough in Whitstable
The Plough in Whitstable

Stonegate is now seeking “an experienced operator or couple who can grow the food trade whilst integrating with the local community.”

Prince Of Orange, Old Road East, Gravesend

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £454,000. Introductory Rent per week: £346

A well-known ‘landmark pub’ positioned on the corner of Old Road East and Windmill Street, The Old Prince of Orange dominates the large plot surrounded by a large car parking area.

The pub benefits from a trade kitchen and nine letting rooms, along with a large outdoor area with seating surrounding three sides of the pub.

The Prince of Orange in Gravesend
The Prince of Orange in Gravesend

Stonegate says it’s seeking an “experienced operator who can run a multi-faceted business including letting rooms, good drinks offer and a quality food menu.”

Crown, Perry Street, Northfleet

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £255,000. Introductory Rent per week: £192

A semi-detached pub situated on Perry Street in Gravesend, the Crown has a prominent front bar with 12 covers, a jukebox, darts board and television. It also has a separate raised area for further seating, and a beer garden to the front and rear of the pub.

Stonegate is now seeking “either a new starter to the trade or an experienced publican who has the enthusiasm to operate a community pub and drive revenue and trade through local sport teams.”

The Crown in Northfleet
The Crown in Northfleet

The Allotment, St James Road, Tunbridge Wells

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £346,000 Guide Rent per week: £635

The Allotment is described as “an impressive corner site pub” that sits on the edge of Tunbridge Wells town centre, surrounded by shops, housing and businesses.

The pub is recently refurbished and has been extended with a conservatory, which looks onto the garden.

Stonegate are seeking an “experienced publican or new starter to develop a great edge of town pub or bar with a great menu.”

The Allotment in Tunbridge Wells
The Allotment in Tunbridge Wells

The Cross Keys, St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £446,000. Guide Rent per week: £769

The Cross Keys is described as a ‘community tavern’ son the busy A26 main road near Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, and an “imposing and attractive building with pitch tiled roof and white washed walls.”

Assets include parking, a large garden with a children's climbing frame, outside bar, patio and conservatory, while a large trading area is split into three zones with 68 covers throughout. Stonegate say the pub has “massive kerb appeal with a beautiful main road frontage, hanging baskets and picket fenced garden.”

And the group says it’s looking for “an experienced publican who can integrate with the locals and grow this business further.”

The Cross Keys in Tunbridge Wells
The Cross Keys in Tunbridge Wells

The Sun, Swanscombe Street, Swanscombe

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £197,000. Guide Rent per week. £279

The Sun is described as an “excellent opportunity for an experienced publican to transform an already attractive community local in the village of Swanscombe”

Stonegate says “there is great scope here for a new publican to take on a pub where they have complete control over how the property operates, allowing them to put their own spin on the business in a way that reflects the local people and the assets the pub holds.”

The Sun in Swanscombe
The Sun in Swanscombe

Red Lion, Swanley Village Road, Swanley

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £355,000. Guide Rent per week: £567

Situated in Swanley village the Red Lion, has two bars; a public bar with a games room, and a comfortable lounge bar.

The pub is traditionally decorated throughout, comprising exposed brick walls, exposed wooden beams and carpets, featuring a mixture of loose and fixed seating, with a good sized lawn and patio outside.

Stonegate are looking for “someone with good trade experience to make this pub family orientated with the reintroduction of quality pub food and real ales.”

The Red Lion in Swancombe
The Red Lion in Swancombe

Red Cow, Moat Sole, Sandwich

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £420,000. Guide Rent per week. £673

Located in the heart of Sandwich, Stonegate notes the nearby award winning championship golf courses on edge of town, and proximity to Canterbury City and Dover.

The Red Cow has two bars and plenty of period features and low exposed beams, which create a “true traditional, but homely feel within the pub”.

Stonegate says it’s “seeking a new or existing publican to take this pub to its full potential.”

The Red Cow in Sandwich
The Red Cow in Sandwich

White Horse, St James Street, Dover

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £543,000. Guide Rent per week: £577

Said to be the oldest pub in Dover, the White Horse situated at the base of the Castle walls near the Eastern Docks.

It is renowned as the Channel swimmer’s pub, with hundreds of swimmer’s names inscribed on the pub walls, and is surrounded by guest houses and residential homes.

Stonegate says it’s “seeking a publican who will focus on maintaining the existing trade with high quality food and drinks.

The White Horse in Dover
The White Horse in Dover

Old Eden, High Street, Edenbridge

Retail Partnership Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £552,000. Guide Rent per week: £1,000

The Old Eden is situated on the main road just outside the centre of Edenbridge, and has one main large bar with around 80 covers split between the ground level and an upstairs area.

The pub is described as being in “fantastic condition”, with traditional features including wooden beams, antique fireplaces and an airy atmosphere.

Stonegate says it’s “seeking either a new starter or experienced publican who is enthusiastic about taking the business forward.”

The Old Eden in Edenbridge. Image: Stonegate Group
The Old Eden in Edenbridge. Image: Stonegate Group

Alma, West Street, Deal

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £377,000. Guide Rent per week: £423

Described as a “classic community pub”, The Alma is in a residential area, near Deal’s high street and is less than half a mile from the seafront.

Along with a comfortable bar it has a large function room, popular for wedding receptions, funerals, and birthday parties, which hosts live entertainment and has a pool table.

Stonegate Pub Partners are interested in hearing from “experienced operators who can pull out all the stops to develop the business.”

The Alma in Deal
The Alma in Deal

Vale Tavern, Vale Road, Ramsgate

Fixed Term Tenancy. Potential Turnover: £253,000. Guide Rent per week: £500

A traditional, detached purpose-built pub, the Vale Tavern has large gardens and a good size car park, in a residential position on the outskirts of Ramsgate town centre.

A central bar serves two separate trade areas; one with a pool table which can be used for small parties and private functions, while the main bar has table and chair seating.

To the front of the pub is a wide patio area with bench seating and a separate enclosed patio and shelter, while the pub has an extensive and fully enclosed beer garden to the rear.

The Vale Tavern in Ramsgate
The Vale Tavern in Ramsgate

The largest pub group in the UK, Stonegate owns 4,500 sites across the country, with most run under either fixed term five year tenancy or ‘retail partnership tenancy’, which offers a flexible term of up to five years.

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