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Support your local pub in Kent and Medway with our Love Your Local campaign

14:58, 10 June 2020

updated: 12:59, 29 June 2020

Restrictions may have been eased, but it may still be a while before we can all have a drink together in our local.

Despite being unable to open, many of our much-loved locals are doing their bit to keep going, and continue to be the hub of their community.

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Pubs of all shapes and sizes have begun to diversify, and started to open their doors for takeaways and deliveries.

We want to raise a glass to our much-loved pubs from all across the county and have launched our campaign, Love Your Local.

Each week in your local KM Group paper, we are showing the adverts for some of the pubs we’re promoting, to help business while the doors must stay shut, and featuring the latest pubs news. There could be reopening news next month for those with pub gardens but in the meantime, here's just some of the pubs' stories we've covered so far:

The Old Dairy Brewery, Tenterden

Nestled just off the high street in Tenterden, the Old Dairy Brewery has been brewing up a range of different beers since 2009 using local hops grown just three miles down the road.

The Old Dairy Brewery's Frontline brew
The Old Dairy Brewery's Frontline brew

Adapting to the changing times, with its main customer base of pubs, restaurants and shops closed, the brewery instead ramped up its sales of bottled beers. But with outlets closed, as well as its shop and taproom, staff have moved to do their bit for loyal locals and are doing free home delivery to those living within 15 miles. But they haven’t stopped there - they have also brewed a special edition Frontline beer. The 3.8% pale ale with its smooth and sweet flavour is sold with 15p from every bottle going to the NHS.

To find out more and order go to olddairybrewery.com

The Moondance Bar, Rochester

Previously a lively hub of live music, stand-up and unique cocktails, things have been a bit quieter at the Moondance Bar in Rochester since March.

But director Dayzee Potter, who had to celebrate the venue’s first anniversary in lockdown, hasn’t rested on her laurels.

The Moondance Bar in Rochester has been making cocktails for takeaway
The Moondance Bar in Rochester has been making cocktails for takeaway

She said: “During this time we’ve had to diversity quickly. We have been offering take away cocktails, afternoon teas, freshly baked goods, birthday cakes, cupcakes and much more. We can even put your face on cakes and cocktails too.”

A number of local musicians have even been playing on the bar’s social media.

The Bricklayers Arms, Chipstead

At the Bricklayers Arms in Chipstead, near Sevenoaks, the weekly quiz on its Facebook page has proved so popular, some 50 teams have been taking

part every week.

After starting a beer and drinks takeaway for collection on Saturday mornings - the Harvey’s and mini kegs have proved popular - landlord Andy Hogg said it became clear that many people missed the whole pub experience. So Andy created ‘Pub in a Box’ for collection or local delivery. Offering a beer

box, wine box, gin box or... the ultimate box with everything from alcohol and snacks, to soft drinks, homemade brownies, playing cards and even a biscuit for the dog.

Food takeaways are also available. Find out more at the-bricklayers-arms.co.uk or on social media.

Love Your Local until you can do this with friends in it
Love Your Local until you can do this with friends in it

How you can get involved:

We're offering our pubs free ads in What's On, which is carried inside all KM Group paid-for papers across the county, as well as some features on what pubs are doing. Pick up your copy of the paper each week to see your pub featured, or find out which ones near you are offering takeaways, deliveries, and other services for the community.

If you run a pub, getting in touch with us and let us know what’s been going on at your pub during lockdown by emailing whatsoneditor@thekmgroup.co.uk with details of your pub, and what you have on offer and how to contact you.

If you're a regular you can also get in touch on the same email to support your pub, including sending us any photos you may have taken over lockdown of your local - or you raising a glass to it at your home.

To see the list of pubs which have signed up to the campaign so far click here.

Beer festival put back to next year.

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