Posted: 12th May 2016
Fresh Start For The Foresters Arms
The Foresters Arms in Tonbridge has a new face behind the bar, and a new look.
Licensee Tyson Marshall took on the pub at the end of March, and has since invested £25,000 on a revamp. Work included painting throughout, and introducing new decorative touches including vintage curtains, plants, candles and scatter cushions to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Tyson has also covered the walls with dozens of quirky items such as movie posters, album covers, travel landscape photography and maps.
The pub already had bar billiards, a darts board and pool table, and Tyson has introduced a table football game and placed a wide range of new and vintage board games around the pub for people to play.
Tyson, 41, said:
My aim is to make the pub a friendly, comfortable place where people of all ages feel they can relax, so I have put artwork on the walls to generate conversation and interest, and introduced more games. I want to get people talking and interacting.
Originally from Melbourne, Tyson has extensive experience in the hospitality trade, as he has worked in bars all over the world since he was 20.His last role was working as a pub manager for Whiting and Hammond for over a decade, most recently running The Little Brown Jug in nearby Chiddingstone Causeway for six years.
Tyson said:
I am passionate about bar tending, and it has been a dream of mine for several years to have my own place. My daughter attends school in Tonbridge, and I have lots of friends in the area, so when I found the Foresters Arms, it seemed perfect. It had lots of potential, and is in a fantastic central location, with Tonbridge station within a short walking distance.
Since taking over the pub, Tyson has focused on a single food offer: authentic pizzas baked in a specialist oven, priced £5 for small (8”) and £10 for large (13”). They come with a variety of toppings, including Margherita, Hawaiian and Pepperoni, along with Tyson’s special Electric Banana, featuring Nutella and banana. Pizza is available anytime the pub is open, and can also be ordered to take away.
He said:
Changing the food offer is part of my overall aim for the pub, to keep things simple, and execute them really well. After years talking about it, it is awesome to finally be my own boss. I had lots of experience but not much finance, but Shepherd Neame have been great, working with me to help fulfil my dream. It is an exciting time for Tonbridge, as it is a big commuter town which is really up and coming, and I am confident that the Foresters Arms can be part of that success.
The Foresters Arms is open from 12noon to 11pm, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 12noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday; and 12noon to 9pm on Sunday.
For more information visit the pub's website or phone 01732 361927.