Posted: 6th April 2016
Seaside Pub Restaurant Reopens After £200,000 Makeover
Historic seaside pub restaurant The Coastguard in St Margaret’s Bay, near Dover, has reopened following a £200,000 refurbishment.
Dating back more than 300 years, The Coastguard boasts panoramic sea views across the small bay, and is Britain’s nearest pub to France.
It was officially taken over by Shepherd Neame in January, and then closed for the extensive programme of work. In keeping with its enviable seafront position, The Coastguard’s new look is inspired by maritime heritage, with red and white lighthouse-style pub fascia and signwriting, complete with boat-shaped planters and lifebuoys as decoration.
An outside bar and barbecue have also been installed, along with outdoor feature ‘living room’ lamps.The interior of the pub has also been completely refurbished, repainted in contemporary colours with a new fireplace installed. There is also new lighting and furniture and more nautical decoration throughout.
The pub was reopened on Friday, April 1 by award-winning Shepherd Neame licensees Tom and Karensa Miller, who have run the Zetland Arms at nearby Kingsdown since 2013, and decided to expand their business by taking on The Coastguard. The pair received the New Licensee of the Year Award at the 2014 Shepherd Neame Pub Awards, and Wine Pub of the Year at the 2015 awards.
Karensa said:
When we saw The Coastguard was available, it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. It is in a fantastic location, and we already have a great relationship with Shepherd Neame. We are delighted with the results of the refurbishment, and we were lucky enough to open on a sunny weekend, so we have already welcomed a huge number of customers, which is fantastic. We have already taken on two full-time and three part-time employees, and hope to expand our workforce as we move into the busy summer period.
The Coastguard is open from 10am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 10pm on Sunday, serving freshly ground coffee and a selection of other hot drinks, along with Shepherd Neame’s renowned Kentish ales and wines from independent family vineyards around the world.
The kitchen has also been completely refitted, and Karensa and Tom have introduced a new menu comprising a varied menu of light bites and traditional main meals, with seafood a speciality due to the coastal location. Food is available from 12noon to 2.45pm and 6pm to 8.45pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 6pm to 8pm on Sunday.
Shepherd Neame’s chief executive Jonathan Neame said:
The Coastguard is in a spectacular seaside location, and we are confident that following our investment in the site, it will prove a popular destination for residents and visitors to the area.
For more information visit the pub's website or phone 01304 853051.