Mini zoo launched in pub garden

New licensees Andy and Kelly Cowell have moved in to the pub along with more than 300 rescued animals, following a £75,000 refurbishment of the Shepherd Neame-owned 17th century inn.

The couple, who previously lived on a nearby farm with their menagerie, are creating a mini zoo in the pub garden, which they hope to complete and open to the public for free by April.

They are also planning to add a small steam railway for children around the garden, as well as a children’s play area, and will be using the pub profits to pay for the animals’ care.

'Using the pub to support the animals'​

Andy said: “Kelly and I always loved animals so we began adopting unwanted pets, and the number grew and grew as more people approached us with animals in need of homes.

“They are all rescue animals who have been captively bred so they wouldn’t survive in the wild. Our aim is to give them a good quality of life while also allowing customers to view them and learn more about them.

“The whole purpose of this project is to fund more work with the animals. We are using the pub to support the animals, as opposed to using the animals to support the pub.”

Kelly added: “We won’t have any modern distractions like fruit machines or Sky Sports. We want the pub to be a traditional, friendly place that families are comfortable visiting time and time again.”

Refurbishment​

The refurbishment work at the pub included a revamp of the main bar area and toilets, repainting the exterior, including the addition of hand-painted signwriting, and new fencing and gates in the car park.

The former barn function room has also been converted into a new commercial kitchen, and the pub will be offering food from Valentine’s Day (tomorrow).

Nigel Bunting, Shepherd Neame director of retail and tenanted operations, said: “We are delighted to support Kelly and Andy with this innovative project, and are confident that they will make the Fenn Bell Inn a huge success.”