After two decades living and working in London, couple Tom Gravett and Renata Peret recently moved to Kent and have decided to take on a challenge closer to home – running their local.
Tom, 45, and Renny, 42, became licensees at Shepherd Neame pub the Three Mariners, Oare just before Christmas.
The pair are experienced in the hospitality industry, running pubs for over 20 years. Their first was the Rat & Parrot in Hampstead, and since then both Tom and Renny have enjoyed a varied career in the industry. Renny has previously managed top Mayfair venues including the Maddox Club, while Tom’s experience includes managing Café de Paris and The Last Days of Decadence, Shoreditch.
Now, they are channeling their combined experience into the Grade II Listed pub situated near the Harty Ferry Nature Reserve.
Tom said: “The last two years have been a crazy time for the hospitality industry as a whole, but especially clubs and events. Since our move to Oare three years ago, we have been regulars at the Three Mariners which is our local.
“We always thought we would run another pub together, and when the Three Mariners became available we realised we hadn’t just been looking for any pub to run, but this pub. It is such a special place, boasting a unique location nestled in the Kentish countryside and a stone’s throw from the tidal creek.”
With their background in high end hospitality, Tom and Renny are a natural fit for the Three Mariners. While they want to ensure its current excellent food offering remains, they also wish to add their own personality to the pub by introducing a snug and bar area.
Tom continued: “We recognise that there is a weight of responsibility that comes with the Three Mariners because of its award-winning reputation, both for its food and community support. Renny and I feel it is important to continue this, while evolving the pub into an even friendlier local to ensure it isn’t exclusively an upscale dining experience.
“Our vision is for the pub to be run by the locals, for the locals, creating a relaxed pub at the heart of its community with a superb food offering. We want to capture the essence of the locality with a menu inspired by the seasons.”
As the weather warms up, the pair are planning to create an external kitchen and refurbish the garden, offering accessible barbeque food and pizza, while maintaining their upscale offer in the restaurant.
Tom said: “Since taking over, we have been delighted with the support from the locals, with the first two weekends of the year completely sold out. The aim is for the pub to be open to everybody, with well-behaved dogs, children – and grown-ups – welcomed!”
Director of Tenanted Pub Operations Greg Wallis said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom and Renny to the Three Mariners, and are excited by the blend of experience and creativity that they are bringing to the pub. Their natural enthusiasm and energy will no doubt create a warm, welcoming and vibrant environment.”
The Three Mariners, recently awarded a five for food hygiene by the Environmental Health Office (EHO), is open Wednesday to Sunday, with food served 12noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 12noon to 5pm Sundays.
For more information, visit thethreemarinersoare.co.uk, or call 01795 533633.
ENDS
About Shepherd Neame
Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes Five Grain Lager, the Bear Island Collection and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and is the sole UK distributor for premium Thai lager Singha and Truly Hard Seltzer. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.
Press release from Shepherd Neame
For further information please contact Senior Communications and Marketing Executive Rose Davis on 01795 542192 or email rdavis@shepherdneame.co.uk or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk