Pub shuts and axes NYE party
A pub which recently underwent a huge renovation cancelled its New Year’s Eve party after suddenly shutting its doors.
Shepherd Neame confirmed The Duke of Edinburgh, formerly known as Rockin’ Robin on the Green, is temporarily closed while the brewery looks for a new licensee.
The boozer in Heath Road, Barming, announced on Monday, December 18, it was having to close due to unforeseen circumstances.
The following day, bosses released a statement to say they were not reopening and that they had been forced to cancel their New Year’s Eve party.
It said: “We do have the refunds for everyone’s ticket that was bought for the New Year’s party, please message the Facebook page with proof of your tickets to get your money back.
“Again, we’re so, so sorry.” Tommy’s Seafood, which had a pitch on the site, is now operating from the Cherry Tree in Tonbridge Road.
Shepherd Neame, which owns the pub, has since confirmed it is looking for new landlords to take over. Director of tenanted pub operations, Greg Wallis, said: “We can confirm that we are currently recruiting a new licensee to take over The Duke of Edinburgh.
“It is a traditional pub in the heart of Barming, with great potential.”
The public house – which dates back to the 1800s – was advertised in February, after previous landlords Robin and
Michelle Gordon decided to step down.
The couple own the Rockin’ Robin Brewery and won the Beer of the Year prize at the Taste of Kent Awards in 2019. In April, the pub was taken on by stepbrothers Rick Bucur and Carlo Podac, who gave the venue a £20,000 revamp. However, it was then closed again before reopening in June, with new landlady Sharon Wardell at the helm.