Neptunes Hall in Broadstairs, is gearing up for a busy year ahead after a major £135,000 winter overhaul.
The pub was officially re-opened last week when Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame presented a cheque for £1,000 to the RNLI.
The bar was actually taken on by experienced London publican, chef and DJ Jonathan Henfrey in December.
Jonathan and wife Flora moved to Margate last year with their three children but have been visiting family members on the isle for some 25 years.
Jonathan was previously been in charge of The Gowlett Arms in Peckham and the brains behind The Crust Conductor – a pizza restaurant based on a double decker bus. The plan after the move to Margate was to take a year off but Jonathan then took on the offer of heading up the Neptune’s Hall following the exit of ong-serving landlors Ken and Jill Connell.
Built in 1882, the grade II listed pub has undergone an extensive but sympathetic refurbishment, with major work undertaken both inside and out.
Internally the pub has been given a contemporary makeover with many of its original features retained, including the bar and the bar back.
A new catering kitchen has been installed on the first floor while the toilets have been refitted.
Externally the pub has been refurbished and now features new signage. The courtyard garden has also been landscaped.
Jonny said: “We’ve been very busy on the food front and our summer menu will start the first week in May. We will be focusing on lighter dishes, things like rotisserie chicken and our specialty, pizza cooked in our own wood fired oven. I’ve been making pizza for 20 years now.”
The pub has long been one of Thanet’s best known live music venues, and given that Henfrey is a well-respected DJ in his own right it will continue to be so.
Jonny said: “Music will still very much be a focus for the pub and we look forward to being involved in Broadstairs Folk Week in August. I’m looking forward to the summer. Our garden is looking fabulous and it’s all very exciting.”