CANADIAN BEVERLEY FINDS HER PERFECT NEW HOME RUNNING SHEPHERD NEAME’S THE WHARF

There’ll be some cosmopolitan hospitality on offer at Shepherd Neame pub The Wharf from now on, with the arrival of new General Manager, Beverley Rose, who moved to the UK from Canada two years ago.

Beverley, who ran a bustling restaurant in Vancouver before moving to the UK where she was born and lived until the age of three, is full of enthusiasm for her new role at the pub in Crossways, near Dartford.

Her experience of running a busy Canadian restaurant of a similar size to The Wharf will stand her in good stead at the site, which is a stone’s throw from Bluewater shopping centre, and is situated next to Cotton Lake.

And she can’t wait to get started: “I was very excited to get this job. The Wharf is beautiful, with its fantastic waterside terrace, and as soon as I came through the door I thought ‘this is my new home’. 

“I have always been a people person - it is my oxygen! I try to bring the energy, and I have lots of ideas. It is about encouraging people to find their happy place.”

Beverley, whose son Zachary, 25, has stayed in Canada, moved to the UK with her sister, Farah, while the pair’s other sister, Debbie, already lives with her family here in Broadstairs.

Beverley and Farah have settled in Greenwich, a short drive from The Wharf, and didn’t travel light, bringing a car and even Christmas decorations with them!

She said of the Shepherd Neame site she is now running: “I want The Wharf to have a really warm, welcoming feel. I think when people are coming out, especially at the moment, when they might not have much money to spend, you need to give them a great experience, and something special.”

And she is already impressed with her 20-strong team: “They are all incredibly dedicated. Even on a busy Friday night, every dish comes out perfectly. It’s so important to make sure your team members are happy, because if they aren’t happy, they can’t help people coming in to feel that way.” 

She added of joining Shepherd Neame: “I love that it is a family company. Everyone has been so welcoming.”

And Beverley has arrived at the perfect time – in the run-up to Christmas – as it’s her favourite time of year. “I love Christmas!” she says, adding that The Wharf could be in for a fabulous festive season this year with some of her special finishing touches. 

The site, which underwent a £1.5m makeover in 2020, is now taking bookings for its seasonal menus, with something for everyone to enjoy. All its menus, including the festive offering, have vegan and vegetarian choices, and The Wharf’s chefs have also added more under-600 calorie dishes and new gluten free items. The Wharf’s delicious food is complimented by an extensive range of award-winning Shepherd Neame beers as well as cider, a selection of premium wines and spirits and cocktails.

Beverley replaces long-serving Marc and Tracy Watson, who retired in the summer after running the site since it opened 23 years ago.

Find The Wharf at Cotton Lake, Galleon Boulevard, Dartford, DA2 6QE, call 01322 229939 or visit https://www.wharfcrossways.co.uk/.