Official Opening for New-Look Harbour Pub

The William the Conqueror in Rye Harbour celebrated its recent £200,000 refurbishment with a reopening event on Thursday, April 14.
 
The pub was closed during the five-week project, which included repainting throughout in contemporary colours, introducing new furniture and decorations, opening up a dual aspect fireplace and refurbishing the bar area and toilets.
 
The former pool table room has been converted into a restaurant which can seat up to 20, and can also be hired for functions. All garden furniture at the front of the pub has been renovated, the ground has been returfed and the front of the pub has been decorated, with new handpainted signwriting.
 
The pub is based on the banks of the River Rother in the picturesque harbour, on the edge of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and just 10 minutes’ walk from Rye Bay. 
 
Licensee Neil Smallwood took the pub over in November last year, his second Shepherd Neame tenancy after he and wife Maria took on the Royal Oak in Whatlington two years ago.
 
Local dignitaries and residents were invited to the launch celebration, with the first pint pulled by Richard Tollett, Lifeboat Operations Manager for the nearby Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station. Richard joined the crew at Rye Harbour in 1968, and his years of dedicated service were recognised by the RNLI in 2013 with the presentation of a Bar to his Gold Badge, the second highest award made by the charity.