Kentish Express Ashford & District
Rocksalt boss buys three pubs
Three top pubs have changed hands, transferring from one group to another.
Ramblinns previously ran The Five Bells Inn in Brabourne, The Woolpack Inn in Warehorne and The Radnor Arms in Folkestone.
They will now be taken over by The Pickled Egg Pub Company, which currently runs a mix of restaurants and bars, including Rocksalt in Folkestone.
Owned by Mark Sargeant and
Josh De Haan, the group currently has a portfolio consisting of The Duke William in Ickham, The Wife of Bath in Wye, along with Rocksalt and The Smokehouse in Folkestone.
Mr Sargeant, a Michelin-starred chef, said: “Josh and I have been massive fans of Ramblinns and when the opportunity arose to buy three of the pubs we jumped at the chance.
“We can’t wait to continue the Ramblinns’ great work at these fantastic pubs and we aim to only enhance their excellent reputations.
“All three will continue to trade as normal and we are excited by the opportunity to serve their communities.
“We intend to make some small changes in the new year, particularly to the menus, but for now it’s business as usual.”
Under Ramblinns, The Five
Bells Inn was named as the best pub in Kent by the National Pub & Bar Awards in April.
Ramblinns founder John Rogers confirmed his company will continue to operate The Globe Inn Marsh in Rye.
He said: “I think that now, for many reasons, is the right time to pass on the baton to a new and proven operator and ‘free thinker’ who has a vision for the future and to continue to grow all that we have achieved.
“This is wonderful news for the Five Bells, the Woolpack and Radnor Arms as they are embraced into a highly successful portfolio of independent pubs and restaurants that operate to the highest standards.”
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