Kentish Express Ashford & District
Hordes of visitors try out £1.1m pub
The opening party for the borough’s newest pub pulled in a crowd of 2,000 guests.
Celebrations were in full swing for the grand opening of the Pig & Sty in Bethersden on Saturday and a minibus was laid on to ferry pub-goers to and from their cars parked in a field a mile from the Ashford Road venue.
It’s the ninth in the Elite Chain that also includes The Herbalist, which opened last May in Maidstone town centre, together with a late-night cocktail and music venue, Junipers.
Frenchman Martial Chaussy, the pub’s owner, said: “There was such an amazing response to the Pig & Sty opening.
“The atmosphere was very friendly with kids running around and enjoying themselves. Everyone was very happy to be there.
“People even brought their own blankets to sit on the floor and have a picnic.
“A lot of people knew each other and were talking so it was a bit like a village fete.”
The businessman has splashed out £1.1m to turn the site back into pub after it became Indian restaurant the Mumbai Gate.
His mother Monique Chaussy, 82, cut the ribbon together with Ashford deputy mayor Cllr John Link.
Formerly the Royal Standard, the last pint was pulled at the venue about 10 years ago.
Mr Chaussy says he is delighted to bring the site back to life.
“People said they absolutely loved the fact that the building had been turned back into a pub,” he said.
A bespoke private dining room has been given a rocking horse theme by the Stevenson Brothers of Bethersden, which was admired by guests, said Mr Chaussy.
Featuring open fires and exposed brickwork, the Pig & Sty offers traditional appeal with a modern twist.
It features a huge dining room where guests can see their pizzas being made in a wood-burning oven and a covered outside terrace area with a burger shack.