A pub has reopened to punters with new landlords and a £360,000 revamp.

The Old Ash Tree in Rainham Road, Chatham, was shut for six weeks for extensive work.

Husband and wife Grant and Lilly Sanders have taken on the venue following the refit.

The pair were previously landlords of The Cricketers in Rainham between 2020 and 2022.

Grant said: “We took a bit of time out and then saw this one up was up for franchise.

“I know the pub quite well and liked its trading style.

“It’s a nice area, although some people might disagree with me. There’s a great atmosphere in the pub, as you have a mix of clientele.

“It was a great opportunity and we thought ‘let's go for it’.”

The 42-year-old is originally from Bermondsey in London and has worked in the hospitality trade all his life.

For the past 20 years he has lived in Larkfield with his wife – who he has been married to for 13 years – and their two children, Dylan, 12, and Albert, three.

Grant said: “I’ve always been drawn to this job, it feels natural. My wife thinks I talk too much!

“Don’t get me wrong it’s hard work, but it has a lot of freedom.”

At the beginning of September, the pub closed for six weeks' of renovations.

The refit, costing approximately £360,000, has updated both the inside and outside of the pub.

“It has had a bit of a facelift,” Grant said. “We repainted the front and the inside has new carpet and wooden flooring.

“We’ve completely redone the toilets, as well as revarnished the tables and reupholstered the chairs.

“There is a pool table and darts board, along with five sports TVs.”

A new menu has been introduced, serving pub classics – including Sunday lunch – along with small plates and pizza.

It has also become a Hive Pub, which is a franchise concept by Greene King Pub Partners.

They are run by franchisees, like Grant, who have local knowledge and previous experience.

“It’s in your own hands,” he explained.

“We are still under the same umbrella, but can do our own menu and have more flexibility on drink offers.”

The couple want to “tap into the local community” and aim to introduce a number of events.

This winter, they plan on being a warm space for the elderly – acknowledging the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Grant added: “We want to reach out to bands and give people the opportunity to use our platform for exposure, giving local, young or old, musicians a chance to be recognised.

“I’m also thinking about talking to nearby schools to create a mural on the walls at the side of the pub.”

The Old Ash Tree reopened to customers last Thursday (October 19), which Grant says was a great success.

“It was brilliant, every table was full,” he said. “Local band Marylebone Jelly performed.

“They welcomed everyone in and did a speech. It was good to see some familiar faces again.”

He added: “I’m absolutely buzzing – I haven’t stopped. It has been an absolute pleasure.

“I want to give a massive shout-out to our team, who have been put through their paces and been so supportive.”