Two venues have closed following the death of their co-owner.

David House ran the Chequers Inn, in Aylesford, Amherst Inn in Seal, near Sevenoaks.

One of Mr House’s other businesses, The Walnut Tree in Yalding, remains open.

The 52-year-old died on Friday, February 9, after a battle with cancer and the businesses have since closed.

His heartbroken wife Jessica said: “David passed away following a period of illness. His family is dealing with his financial affairs with the assistance of professional consultants.

“Any parties involved in said financial affairs or affected by the brief cease in trading of David’s business will be contacted in due course.

“David’s family requests your patience and understanding at this difficult time and request no further contact from the press or potentially interested parties so we can deal with these matters expeditiously.”

One of the family’s other sites, The Hengist, also in Aylesford, closed suddenly in December, leading to several employees being owed thousands of pounds in wages. KentOnline understands this is still the case.

Damian Brookes’s son Daniel, 18, is waiting for around £850 in wages from the High Street site. He was planning on going travelling at the end of the month with the help of his earnings but may now have to cancel the trip.

Jessica previously described how closing The Hengist was a “hard decision” for her and David. Staff were called in for a meeting and told they would be paid between January 7 and January 14 – but this didn’t happen as a meeting with an insolvency practitioner hadn’t taken place.

She explained how after meeting with the practitioner, they were told staff were classed as “creditors” because the business was insolvent and they weren’t legally able to make payments to them as it “could be seen as having preferential creditors”.

Staff were then told they would be able to claim wages, redundancy and holiday pay through the government website.