A Minster pub that has been the watering hole for residents since 1865 is likely to become a restaurant.
The Saddler, in Monkton Road, currently has four staff who are believed to now be in redundancy consultation.
The village pub was built around 1865. It was originally a small cottage known as a “beer workshop” called The Freehold. In 1876, Ramsgate brewery Tomson & Wootton bought The Freehold and it became a fully licensed house.
The company later purchased the neighbouring cottage, where WJ Smith ran his saddlery business, but the pub has only been known as The Saddler since 1964.
In keeping with tradition, a saddle, which once belonged to the elite German Ulan Cavalry Corps, has pride of place on the wall.
The pub is owned by Faversham-based brewery Shepherd and Neame. The company has confirmed the pub’s future is being discussed.
A Shepherd Neame spokesperson said: “We can confirm that following the pub being available to let as a traditional tenancy we are now in discussions regarding the site’s continued use and its proposed transfer to a restaurant with an applicant.
“We can confirm that the proper consultation process is being undertaken.”
Former landlady Dee Horton, who was a supporter of the Louie’s Helping Hands charity, left the site at the end of last year.
It is understood the restaurant will be for Turkish food.
What a waste of a good pub. Shame on Sheps all the villagers should have the chance to jointly buy it.
No real surprise it’s gone. Minster still has several other pubs, unusual for a relatively small community (Cliffsend, Acol, Monkton, Woodnesborough… these have NO pub now).
Monkton has The White Stag!!
I don’t know what’s happening with the white stag but there’s been building work going on there for most of this year so definitely no pub at the moment. And really don’t think another pub can make enough money in Minster where we are very lucky to have several pubs, a micro pub, takeaways, restaurants.
I know they were thinking of building a hotel/guest house next door, the footings have been there years, have you actually seen work going on David? If it is now shut, I’ll tip me hat to you sir and admit I’m wrong 😉👍
It’s unclear what is happening with The White Stag, but certainly it is closed at the moment (which is why I mentioned it).
Incidentally, does anyone know what’s happening to The Sun Inn in St. Nicholas? When I walked past last week the tenants were moving out.
We ride past it several times a week, it’s nearly finished it’s renovations, the workmen say it’s going to be a b&b with a bar obviously
They were putting the finishing touches to it on Tuesday outside a nice wall being built
Why no real surprise, all three pubs offered something different, no rivalry. The Saddler offered live music, pool table, darts.
Thank you Jackie. Let’s hope the bar will be open to the local community.
IT will Fail