An eatery which lasted just two months trade has bounced back under a new name.

Durtnall's in Rose Street, Sheerness, launched on October 1 promising a new fine-dining experience for the Isle of Sheppey with piano music and even a harp.

But it closed its doors at the end of the year when former boss John Durtnall threw in the towel.

Now it's back with a new name and a new menu.

Original silent partner Lee McCall, an independent councillor on Swale council, has rolled his sleeves up, taken on a new chef and renamed the cosy 36-cover corner restaurant Carlyle's after his grandad.

Cllr McCall, 42, saidd: "It was a bit of a bombshell when John left. It was just before Christmas. I held a meeting with staff and we decided to carry on.

"But we needed to change the name, so I have rebranded it in honour of my grandfather."

He said the menu had been overhauled and prices reduced.

"It was originally a little pricey," he admitted. "We have made it more inclusive for Islanders and reduced the price of some drinks by a half."

The former coach driver who also runs a cleaning company is now in the driving seat at the restaurant and hit the ground running on January 7 along with new cook Sue Oliver.

Londoner Sue, 56, has been on Sheppey since 2000 and had just been employed by John when he walked out.

She said: "It was a bit of a shock but we have all worked hard to turn the place around and the customers seem to love it.

"We are receiving brilliant reviews and diners are coming back, which is always a good sign."

The former project manager from Richmond Street, who ran her own pie and mash business, is the restaurant's third chef and is hoping it will be "third time lucky".

She said: "I always wanted to be a cook. My mum taught me when I was 10. I love being in the kitchen, any kitchen!"

The restaurant now features a more relaxed menu during the day but retains a fine-dining feel in the evenings.

It has introduced a three-course children's meal, so youngsters don't feel left out, and for Burn's Night, Sue created Haggis, clapshot and whisky sauce.

The grandmother-of-two will also be serving up five-course meals to celebrate Valentine's Day starting at £39.95. A top of the range £59.95 version with bubbly, flowers and "special desserts" is on offer for those who want to push the boat out.

She is helped in the kitchen by her daughter-in-law and her son with food preparation.

"It's a real family affair," Sue adds. And it seems to be working. Many weekends are now full and the restaurant is taking bookings for birthdays and special events.

The restaurant is on the ground floor of the former Britannia Hotel which later became home to solicitors.

The front was converted into three shops including Kent Barbers and Seun’s Hair and Cosmetics.

Carlyle's is the latest restaurant to tempt Islanders. Mem’s Mezze led the way in 2017 converting the former Halfway Houses pub into a Turkish restaurant.

More recently, builder Mark Seabrook turned the former Prince of Waterloo pub in Minster into Banks, named after the architect who designed most of Sheerness. That, too, has had a successful relaunch after a wobbly start.

Leysdown’s Indian restaurant The Dining Room has also been winning plaudits for its meals.

Cllr McCall and Mr Durtnall met while working "on the buses" and decided to go into the catering business together spending £40,000 revamping the derelict food store on the corner of Rose Street and Sheerness High Street, opposite the town’s clock tower

Mr Durtnall, 57, who said he had more than 30 years in the hotel trade but has now gone back on the buses, said at the time: “There is definitely a demand. Everyone we spoke to said Sheerness needed something like this.

"After 6pm the town dies. The only place you can get an English sit-down meal at night is Wetherspoon."