A landlord who left a village's only pub says the pandemic and rising energy prices are to blame for his exit.

James Kelland took over The Wheel Inn in Westwell near Ashford in 2017 but the historic site was boarded up last week.

Following a KentOnline story on the pub's closure and the subsequent move to seal the windows and doors, the 29-year-old says he received numerous messages from wellwishers, as well as people demanding to know why he had left the village.

"It was a fantastic pub to run and had a fantastic community surrounding the pub, a great set of locals, and at the end of the day I'm walking away with a lot of experience," he said.

"The truth is, things just started to deteriorate after the last 6 months; trade just hasn’t been the same since the pandemic hit.

"I feel that a lot of the village weren't able or willing to come to the pub simply because they were scared of Covid.

"With that in mind, and the prices of electricity, gas, meet and beer going up, I was left with little option but to strike up a deal with Shepherd Neame to buy the stock."

Mr Kelland also says the deal will help Shepherd Neame to sell the pub, which has been on the market for £330,000 since April.

"A lot of people have come through to look at the pub, and they've all had the same issue, which is that it has a tenant already," he explained.

"It's fair enough and not a reflection on them or me, at the end of the day if you're spending £330,000 or more you're more likely to want to run it yourself.

"If you have a tenant in there for 16 years or more and only getting money from their rent it will take you 20 or 30 years just to break even on that investment.

"It needs a good solid investment, but I think things are very positive and that it won't be long before someone else is in."

Last week, residents spoke about how important the 17th century pub was to the village following its closure, which has seen metal grates put over the windows and doors and concrete bollards used to block off the car park.

Mr Kelland said: "I know a lot of people will have found the current appearance quite off-putting.

"I saw it myself last weekend when I was picking a friend up from the green; they've done a thorough job in sealing it up – it looks like Fort Knox!

"I know a lot of people will think it might look like overkill, but Shepherd Neame will only have done that because they have to with its insurance."

Last week, the Faversham brewery's commercial estates manager John Barnes said: “The Wheel has been for sale as a public house since April 2021, as it no longer fits the needs of our business.

"Shepherd Neame is in communication with the local parish council, ensuring it remains up to date with proceedings.”