A pub just shy of 200 years old could be set for its final hurrah – after the current owners confirmed plans to bring the shutters down for the final time.

The Earl St Vincent in King Street, Ramsgate, first opened its doors in 1828 and has remained a constant ever since.

But current landlord Kirsty Bailey – who took over the reins in 2022 after the death of her father – says the time has come for her to call time at the pub.

In a statement confirming the news, Ms Bailey acknowledged it had been a hard choice to make but stated she needed to “find myself again”.

She said: “I’ve had so many ups and so many downs, but now it’s time for me to close the doors.

“I’m not going to go into [the] reason why this decision is happening, but as a team we have all made this hard decision.

“The hardest decision was leaving the pub’s and dad’s memories, but that’s all they are!

“I believe I would have done him proud.

“I’m sorry but it’s time for me to find myself again.

“I’m just tried and exhausted and my child needs me to be a mum.

“I want to thank the staff and all the support that I and the staff have had.”

The leaving party and final day of trading has been confirmed as Saturday, January 20.

Before Kirsty’s stint, the boozer had been under the care of Derek Bailey – affectionately known as Sticky – for 15 years.

It has been a torrid time for pubs this year, with three major closures confirmed within the first two weeks of 2024.

The Aviator in Queenborough and The George Inn at Newnham, near Faversham, both shut over the New Year.

And earlier this week, The Hare and Hounds in The Street, Northbourne, Deal, brought down the shutters “until further notice”.

Announcing the closure, landlord Roy O’Neill, who also runs the Plough Inn in Ripple near Deal, gave heartwarming thanks to staff and customers.