Landlords of the Racing Greyhound, Debbie and Keith Barnett, have added to their growing pub portfolio by taking over Lesters in Margate.
The parents-of-two have been at the Greyhound for almost 16 years and transformed custom at the Hereson Road pub with a loyal following of regulars, families, diners and community support, including providing a meeting room for many local groups and charities.
In 2019 they took on The Bell Inn at Minster after discovering the lease was available and this month the duo have taken over Lesters -a pub they ran for some 12 years until 2005.
The Ramsgate Road pub is being managed by Zoe Goodwill and Danny Jeffery and some changes to opening hours and the kitchen have been made.
Debbie said: “The pub holds many happy memories for us and we are excited to meet the community and recreate some of the Racing Greyhound magic over in Lesters.”
Recruitment for some new staff took place before a ‘new management’ part on January 13.
Opening hours are 10am- 11:30pm 7 days a week along with food being served daily from noon -9pm (6pm Sundays).
Find Lesters on facebook here
Back at The Racing Greyhound and the pair, along with their staff, have made a presentation to charity from their Christmas fundraiser,
Danielle Neligan from East Kent Hospital Charity Tiny Toes was presented with a cheque for £1257.80p,
East Kent Hospitals Trust charity Tiny Toes helps to support families whose babies are in QEQM Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The pub held a raffle, with the top prize being a wheelbarrow of booze, and other fundraising included a coin drop and balance 20p on a lemon.
Gavin Jeffries, bar manager, said: “I chose Tiny Toes as the 2022 Christmas charity because the pub always supports a local charity and at that time of year, families with babies receiving treatment in SCBU deserved to be remembered at a time that is associated most with young children.”
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