Punters have returned to a previously troubled pub following a five-figure refurb.

The Bull Inn in East Farleigh, near Maidstone, has been behind boards for more than a year after the pub closed in November 2022.

The previous landlords came under fire when it was reported the pub was under investigation for animal welfare concerns.

Last weekend people were invited once again to enjoy a pint in the newly remodelled establishment.

The work has been carried out in five weeks, with Oliver Aubrey taking the helm on December 21.

The 33-year-old has been in the business since 2009 and in 2018 started his own company.

He runs three other sites; Drakes in Maidstone town centre, The Walnut Tree in Tonbridge Road, and The Little Gem in Aylesford.

He said: “I have a good working relationship with Stonegate and we spoke for a few months.

“I started looking around in the summer and wasn’t too sure but in November I decided to take it on.”

Since taking over, Ollie has been working hard to get The Bull Inn to a standard he is happy with.

He continued: “The previous owners left it in a bit of state to be honest and we have had to strip it.

“Personally I will have spent more than £55,000 having the kitchen refitted, and the main area re-furnished.

“Stonegate has covered the costs for now but I will be paying back over the leasehold.

Despite a busy five weeks, more work is needing to be done but Oliver did not want to wait any longer to reopen.

“It’s a bit bare for my liking,” he said, “But give it six months and we’ll give it the character it’s lacking.”

Renovations are still underway but it hasn’t stopped punters already popping their head in for a pint and to absorb the ambience.

Duncan Spencer was the leader of a community group which was looking into buying the pub if it was to be sold for residential use.

He visited the pub with much anticipation on Saturday and said: “It was brilliant. The beer was good and there were a lot of people in.

“It has very much been improved upon. To be fair I never went in under the previous manager but from what I have heard it is massively improved.

“Ollie has done a really good job and the bar is back to looking how it should.

“There’s nothing to stop us now so I hope to go back for more evenings in the future.”

The pub advertised on Friday (February 2) that it would be open for the weekend and since then large bookings for wedding anniversaries and birthday parties have already been made.

Oliver said: “It’s hard to tell early on the reaction but this time next year I am hoping the industry will be in a better position.

“I think there was a need for it. Our motto here is ‘simple done well’ and I hope we are achieving that.

“Nothing flashy or fancy we just want that community pub feel where people can come regularly enjoy themselves, and feel like they are getting their money's worth.”

A spokesman for Stonegate said in December: “New management has now taken over the site, and after some uplifting internal works, the pub hopes to open as normal by the end of January.”