The proprietor of a preferred pub has dismissed hypothesis it’s set to shut – however says he’s strolling away after nearly 20 years.
Jim Pearson despatched the hearsay mill into overdrive after placing the Elephant in Faversham available on the market, with many fearing the much-loved freehouse will quickly shut.
But the 67-year-old says he has merely determined to retire and expects the pub, which is nearly 175 years previous, to remain the identical beneath its new house owners.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he stated.
“I’m nonetheless going to be operating the place in the intervening time, and as soon as I discover new house owners I’ll proceed to run it for a pair of months – like a handover interval.
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“I want to retire whereas I’m in good well being. I plan to buy a pair of wide-beam barges, one right here in the UK and one overseas, and flit between them till the EU types itself out and lets you keep for greater than 90 days.”
Mr Pearson, initially from Canterbury, moved to Faversham in 1981 after leaving the Royal Navy and purchased the Elephant in 2005.
The publican was eager to set the document straight after feedback had begun to swirl on social media that the beloved boozer can be shutting down.
“Why would I shut it down? It makes me about £1,000 per week,” he continued.
“It’s definitely not closing down, so let’s knock that rumour on the head.”
The Elephant has been serving drinks in Faversham since 1852, and is among the many favorite pubs of KentOnline’s Secret Drinker.
After a 2022 go to to the Elephant, the incognito reviewer praised the institution’s distinctive decor and big selection of beers, which has no choices from the city’s brewery, Shepherd Neame.
“The second I walked into the Elephant I was transported back to my youth, to a time when you knew what to expect visiting a pub and woe betide anyone who dared rub the landlord up the wrong way,” wrote the undercover critic.
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“In a town where Shepherd Neame rules, this is a fairly rare beast – a free house in Faversham.”
When reminded of the evaluation, Mr Pearson stated: “I’ll kiss that Secret Drinker on each cheeks after I discover out who it’s.
“The Elephant is exclusive to Faversham. There are not any different free homes in city – not what I name correct pubs, anyway.”