New Year Celebration for the New-Look Four Fathoms Pub

The Four Fathoms in Herne Bay celebrated its recent £210,000 transformation with a reopening event on Wednesday, January 20.

The brewery has just completed a two-month refurbishment of the site, with an extensive programme of work including repainting the pub inside and out, installing new flooring, restructuring and refitting the bar counter and revamping the toilets. A new snug area has been added to create a more intimate space for drinkers, and there is new furniture and décor throughout, aimed at creating a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The exterior courtyard also has new seating, fencing and plants.

The Four Fathoms is now offering food for the first time, so the kitchen has also been refurbished, with a separate restaurant area created for diners. Customers can choose from a menu of traditional pub classics and bar snacks with a contemporary twist.

The historic town centre pub, which dates back to the mid-1800s, is being run by husband and wife team Paul and Sam Collier.

The couple recently moved back to Herne Bay after running pubs in Somerset and Wales for six years.

Local dignitaries and residents were invited to the launch celebration, with the first pint pulled by 91-year-old Peter Smoothy, who ran the pub from 1954 to 1988. The grandfather-of-two, who was born in Herne Bay and still lives in the town, said:

I was honoured to be asked to pull the first pint. I really enjoyed my time running the Four Fathoms, and I am very impressed with its new look. It is great to see Shepherd Neame investing in the pub, as it is part of the town’s history.

Shepherd Neame’s chief executive Jonathan Neame attended the event, and to mark the occasion presented a cheque for £500 to Demelza Hospice Care for Children.