A well-known pub is having a £100,000 makeover after new owners stepped in to take over the lease.

The Playa at The Leas in Minster is being completely stripped out and revamped.

Lauren Topliffe and her family were given the keys on Saturday, November 9 and have been working hard on the renovations ever since.

Her mum Cheryl Hilling and stepdad Barry Forster, who live in Sittingbourne, as well as sister Megan Peters and partner Dan Morgan, are now all co-owners of the pub.

So far £30,000 has been spent, but Lauren believes it will be around £100,000 once they are finished.

“The kitchen and all the flooring downstairs are being redone,” the 28-year-old explained.

“At the minute it's completely down to dust and concrete.

“The inside is being repainted and new decorations are going up – we are having a flower wall fitted and angel wings.

“There's lots of new lights and furniture coming in. It is basically a complete makeover. Everything is being ripped out.”

The seafront pub closed suddenly at the start of the month and the family put out a message on the Facebook page to explain what was happening.

It said: “I understand the pub has been receiving many phone calls and messages.

“However, the pub is now under new management.

“This has caused us to close the pub at short notice for a refurbishment to take place.”

They then began posting daily updates detailing the work taking place by BCF Construction.

One of the first major changes was a fresh lick of paint, an addition of string lights and a revamped sign.

Lauren added: “The outside was the main priority for us at first because we just wanted it to look more welcoming for everyone, especially with the location.

“We just wanted to take it over with a fresh slate and try to get as many people in as possible and bring it back to life.”

The pub was formerly run by Neil Moran and his sister Laura I’Anson, who had taken it over from their father Eddie Moran.

It had been in the family for 25 years. However, in January 2022 the pair closed the venue without warning.

They told KentOnline that despite leaving on “good terms” with the landlords, they had been unable to agree a long-term future for the pub.

Neil also admitted the business had been hit hard by Covid lockdowns.

A few months later, Nicola Smith stepped in as landlady and had been running it ever since.

But now there is a new team in charge. Lauren says her sister Megan will be covering the front of house and has already moved in upstairs with her partner and two children.

She previously worked as an assistant manager at the pub for two years and was told the tenants wanted to finish their lease early.

Megan then decided to ask her family to all chip in to help her take over and run it.

Lauren said: “She didn't want to give it up because she loved it so much. There's so much potential here as well, especially with the location of it.”

She added: “The public have been amazing. Even people walking past come and pop their heads in.

“On our first proper day open, we've already got 50 people booked in for Sunday roast dinners. It’s going to be busy!”

All of the events that have already been booked, including the Christmas parties, are still going ahead.

They also have some new ideas for the future, including brunches and afternoon tea, as well as installing a playground in the garden.

There will be a party on Saturday, November 30 at 6pm to celebrate the grand opening of the pub.

It had to be pushed back a week due to “unexpected” issues with the flooring but now coincides with the first Christmas lights lantern parade along The Leas.

The family have been working from 8am to 10pm to get the venue ready for the big day.

Lauren added: “We are excited but I think everyone's getting very tired.

“It's all going to be worth it because it's going to look so nice with the new floors anyway.

“We are getting there and the more we're seeing it come together each day, the more exciting it gets.”