Kentish Express Ashford & District
Town centre pub to re-open
Phoenix will be back in business after renovation
A popular Ashford pub is set to reopen under new management two years after it closed its doors.
The Phoenix, in Tufton Street, is undergoing renovation work and is expected to reopen next month.
Previous owner Bramwell Pubs and Bars went into administration in October 2013 and The Phoenix closed its doors but much like its name, the town centre pub has risen again.
The premises have been taken over by Phoenix Pub Groups, which runs about 100 pubs across the country.
Manager Liz Woodman, who lives in Ashford, said the ongoing renovation work has been slightly delayed but workers are on track to bring the once-bustling business back to life.
She said: “The Phoenix had been closed for almost exactly two years so there was quite a lot of mess when we first came in.
“The owners before had obviously just grabbed whatever they could salvage or sell.
“But there is a lot of work going on to bring it back to life.
“I can’t wait for the pub to be open. It’s very exciting. We haven’t got a set date but we are hoping it will be next month.
“The Phoenix is similar to a pub I used to have and it was great for sport, food and socialising.
“It will be a great place to have some drinks or food and a bit of a dance. We want to bring The Phoenix back to what it was before because it worked.
“It was a great venue with a great reputation and so we want to bring that back to the town.”
There are still job opportunities available at the pub and Liz said she is still sorting through CVs for various roles from bar staff, to chefs.
For more information, to apply for a job or to track progress of the pub’s renovation, go to www.facebook.com/phoenixashfordkent.