An historic Faversham pub has reopened today (Friday, May 29) with new faces behind the bar and a ‘new’ name – its original Edwardian moniker of The Limes.
The pub, now owned by Shepherd Neame, was called The Limes when it was built in the 1900s. It became The Chimney Boy in the 1970s, when three inglenook fireplaces were discovered during its renovation, the largest with steps inside that chimney boys used to climb.
It has just been taken over by business partners Gareth Finney and Dan Sidders, who already run four other Shepherd Neame pubs in Kent – The Albion Taverna in Faversham, and The Shakespeare, The Parrot and Ye Olde Beverlie in Canterbury, employing almost 90 staff.
Gareth, 36, who lives in Faversham, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to expand, so when this pub became available, we decided to go for it. It is a beautiful building in a central town location, and has a great first floor function room and separate ground floor restaurant in addition to the spacious bar area.”
The pair have put their own mark on the pub, repainting throughout, adding new furniture and decorations, and installing a brand new kitchen to create its revamped menu. Head chef Peter Garfello will specialise in Kentish gourmet burgers, brunch and a twist on the traditional Sunday roast. All ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible, with fruit and vegetables from Macknade Fine Foods and meat from Baldy Butchers, both based in Faversham; fish from Griggs of Hythe; and, of course, locally brewed beer from Shepherd Neame.
They have also employed 15 full and part-time staff to run the pub, and decided to commemorate its fresh new start by reinstating its previous name The Limes.
Dan, 30, from Dargate, said: “We are really excited about our latest venture, and thought that changing its name would be a great way to signify a fresh start and spark people’s interest – and hopefully inspire them to investigate what the pub has to offer.”
Shepherd Neame’s director of retail and tenanted operations Nigel Bunting said: “We are delighted that Gareth and Dan have taken over The Limes, and will be bringing their experience and impeccable standards to the pub.”
For more information phone 01795 532007 or visit www.thelimesonline.com
ENDS
Notes for editors
The Chimney Boy closed for refurbishment on May 18, and officially reopened as The Limes on Friday, May 29.
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For further information please call Communications Executive Kathryn Tye on 01795 542259 or email ktye@shepherdneame.co.uk or visitwww.shepherdneame.co.uk
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