Posted: 6th October 2015
Pub of the Week: 'Meet the Landlord' of The Crown & Anchor, Faversham
Your name and age: Les Koncsik, 74
How long have you run your pub and what is your background in the business? I have been at the Crown and Anchor for 33 years. Before that I was at another Shepherd Neame pub in Faversham for 12 and a half years. Before becoming a licensee, my experience included working as a professional chef for five years in London.
The best thing about running a Shepherd Neame pub is? As I have been a licensee in the town for 45 years, many of my customers have become good friends. They are absolutely wonderful and come in to see me every day. I love my pub and my friends, and can’t imagine doing anything else
Why did you enter the pub business? I initially moved to the UK from Hungary in 1956 to pursue a career in engineering, and kind of fell into the pub business, as my late wife had experience in the trade and nagged me to do it. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
What’s the most memorable moment since you’ve been licensee? There have been so many memorable moments. Most recently, it would be winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Shepherd Neame Pub Awards in June. It was a complete surprise, I had no idea it was going to happen until I was called to the stage on the night. Everyone kept it a secret.
Any particular ales you wish to highlight? We always have Shepherd Neame’s flagship Kentish ale Master Brew on the bar.
The Crown & Anchor is a traditional Kentish pub, with hearty, reasonably priced pub meals and a friendly welcome for all. The pub is just a minute’s walk from the station, and a few minutes stroll from the town centre.
To find out more, visit the pub’s website, give Les and the team a call on 01795 532 812, or pop in. You can also read more about Les’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the other Shepherd Neame Pub Awards 2015 here.