The man behind a popular city cocktail bar plans to “inject new life” into a village pub after taking the reins of the Old Coach and Horses.

Eddie Sargeant is the new landlord of the Harbledown boozer and has visions of making it “one of the best” in Kent.

The 52-year-old, who also runs Teatros bar in Orange Street, Canterbury, has started by recruiting a new head chef, who he says will add a “French twist” to traditional dishes.

A refurbishment of the outside dining area will also be complete by the summer.

But first the pub will shut for three days from Monday, January 13, before relaunching on Thursday, January 16.

“I am a Canterbury man, born and bred, and I am very proud of my city and trying to put something into it,” said Eddie, who took on a new lease just before Christmas after the departure of former landlady Anita Turner.

“I would like to make The Old Coach and Horses one of the best in the entire area. I want it as a first choice for people who want great food.

“I think its about injecting great personality into the place, but also great food.

“We are very keen to get the locals back, whether that’s people coming in to have snacks or just coming to have a pint.

“There will still be great gastro food and it will still be a local and a fun gastro pub, but I want to inject more life and enthusiasm into it.”

Eddie has a background in the hospitality industry and used to run a mobile bar company, running hundreds of events.

In 2016 he took on Teatros after recognising there was no “grown-up bar” in the town for punters to enjoy a drink.

“I took it on with a clear vision of something which was different,” he said.

“Everyone said when I opened it it won’t last. But it is somewhere people love to go.”

Eddie is hoping to have the same effect on the Coach and Horses, and has brought in head chef Jack Webster to introduce a new food and drinks menu.

Eddie said: “Jack has worked at a number of well-known pubs in the area - including the Granville and The Jackdaw Inn.

“The menu is going to have traditional, local produce, with a French twist.”

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