Work Begins on Major Refurbishment of Herne Bay Pub

Work has begun on a £210,000 transformation of The Four Fathoms in Herne Bay by brewery Shepherd Neame.

The historic town centre pub, which dates back to the mid-1800s, closed to the public at the start of October, and will reopen before the end of November.

The extensive programme of work will include repainting the pub inside and out, installing new flooring, restructuring and refitting the bar counter and revamping the toilets. A new snug area will be created to create a more intimate space for drinkers, and there will be new furniture and décor throughout, aimed at creating a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The exterior courtyard will also have new seating, fencing and plants.

There will also be new faces behind the bar, husband and wife team Paul and Sam Collier, who have a family of seven. The pair have extensive experience, previously running pubs in Somerset and Wales for six years.

Sam, 42, said:

We lived in Herne Bay before we moved to Somerset, and two years ago we decided to come back for family reasons. We continued to manage the pub in Wales while living here, but we really wanted something closer to home. When we saw the Four Fathoms was available, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. It is a beautiful building with huge potential, in a great location near the beach and the station.

The pub will be offering food for the first time, so the kitchen is being refurbished, with a separate restaurant area to be created for diners.