£1.2M REFURB FOR POPULAR RIVERSIDE PUB

Popular riverside pub The Anchor at Yalding is to reopen as The Boathouse following a £1.2 million refurbishment.

The Shepherd Neame pub is situated on the River Medway, a few minutes from the village of Yalding near Maidstone.

It is being renamed The Boathouse to reflect its riverside location, and the redevelopment of the pub has also been designed to make the most of its unique setting.

A new glass fronted restaurant is to be created offering stunning views overlooking the river. A new raised exterior terrace is also being built, leading on to a large decked area, to allow extensive al fresco dining.

An extensive internal and external refurbishment will be undertaken, with new lighting and furniture, and nautically-themed décor throughout.

The completely refitted kitchen will have a new pizza oven for the fresh, stone-baked pizzas that will form the basis of the new menu alongside traditional pub classics with a contemporary twist, made using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. The Boathouse will serve food from 12 noon to 9pm, Monday to Sunday, and also offer brunch from 9am on Saturday and Sunday.

The extensive programme of work started at the beginning of January, and the pub is expected to open with its new look and new name at the end of May.

Director of retail and tenanted operations Nigel Bunting said: “We are delighted to be embarking on this exciting development. The Boathouse boasts an enviable riverside location, and we are confident that this major investment will maximise its potential, creating a stunning environment in which to drink and dine.”

Shepherd Neame is currently advertising for 35 new full and part-time bar and kitchen staff to work at The Boathouse. Find out more about the jobs available at www.boathouseyalding.co.uk/jobs