Shepherd Neame reopens pub after £1.8m makeover
The 19th century building has been refurbished with care taken to retain its original features, including a Grade II Listed bar.
During 14-week renovation project, the pub’s classic wood and leather feel has been complemented by a beach-inspired colour scheme as a nod to its seaside location.
The venue’s bar, dining room and courtyard garden have been refurbished, with a new decking area and an outside kitchen.
A new external function room, named the Boatyard, has also been created in the courtyard, which has its own bar and is available to book for private events.
The pub hosts eight boutique bedrooms, each with its own distinctive style.
Whitstable is famous for its oysters, and so each room is named after a historic oyster fishing vessel known as ‘yawl’ or ‘smack’ built in the town.
Food offering
The pub also boasts a new menu, which includes freshly prepared food using seasonal local produce.
Many seafood dishes feature on the menu, including whole grilled lemon sole served with seaweed butter, samphire and buttered Nichola potatoes, along with Whistable Bay beer battered haddock and chips served with pea puree.
A range of drinks will be on offer, from Shepherd Neame’s range of craft ales and lagers to a selection of English wines, along with Kentish spirits and cocktails.
New general manager Tina Kennedy said it was a “real honour” to b asked to take on the Duke of Cumberland.
She added: “It is a fantastic to see Shepherd Neame making such a major investment in the town, and I’m excited about welcoming locals and visitors to see just what we have to offer here.”
'Incredibly proud'
The pub was previously renowned for its live music events, and Tina, who frequented the pub as a teenager growing up in the area, plans to retain that tradition with regular jazz and swing nights at the pub, along with sunset acoustic evenings.
Shepherd Neame managing director of Pubs said: “We are incredibly proud to reopen The Duke of Cumberland after this extensive refurbishment project.
“The renovation has been completed to a very high standard, and we hope that both locals and visitors to the town will enjoy seeing the amazing work which has been carried out to ensure such a much-loved pub continues to be a lively local for many years to come.
“It has also been a number of years since the pub’s rooms have been available for guests to stay in, and it has been a labour of love for Shepherd Neame to bring them back into use. We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy a relaxing stay with us.”
The Duke of Cumberland reopened to the public on Thursday, August 24.
