Villagers have been left dismayed at a “grotesque” banner on a historic former pub advertising its future use - serving kebabs.

The Plough and Harrow in Bridge, near Canterbury, is soon to become a Turkish restaurant, which will also sell fish and chips.

Some residents say the large sign on the Grade II-listed building looks “cheap” and out of keeping with the area.

But the property’s owner, Rustem Aykac, told KentOnline he is spending a lot of money improving the derelict pub - which has been shut since December 2022 - and has already replaced the entire roof.

“They are all against us in the village because they have seen the name ‘kebab’ when I am trying to build a place up,” he said.

Previously, a planning bid went in to change the use of the building from a pub to a takeaway but this has since been withdrawn.

Mr Aykac believes residents in Bridge - which is also home to the Michelin-starred Bridge Arms and the Red Lion - think his High Street venue will be serving takeaway food, despite the signs not stating this.

“It will be a Turkish restaurant with fish and chips and a bar,” he said

“When they see kebabs they think it’s just a takeaway. There’s no change - it’s just a different type of food.”

Mr Aykac, who also owns a takeaway kebab shop in Marden, near Tonbridge, says he will be removing the controversial sign as the building needs to be painted.

Most of the residents KentOnline spoke to yesterday were opposed to the transformation of the Plough and Harrow.

One villager, Andrew McFall, described the signage as “grotesque”.

“There's quite a lot of negative feeling towards the whole thing in the village and I think to put a sign like that up is somewhat provocative,” he said.

“It’s not a good place for a kebab shop.

“There's a chronic shortage of parking anyway.”

Mr McFall also questioned whether Bridge has the right sort of demographic for the kebab venture.

He added: “There is already a fish and chip shop van that comes around every Thursday evening and it would impact on their business.”

Barbara and William McGuiness, who are neighbours to the previously Shepherd Neame-owned pub, also object.

Mrs McGuiness, 79, told KentOnline: “It's not that kind of village.

“I think the only time it'll ever get used is when people come out of the Red Lion across the road.

“The sign cheapens the look of the village.

“You’ve got a Saturday market every fortnight and this week I thought, ‘Oh no, they’ve got that awful banner up.’

“It’s not in keeping with the rest of the street.”

The couple would like to see the building stay as a pub but understand that may not be possible.

Mrs McGuiness added: “I would rather they didn't open and it could be something else. Something more in keeping.

“Even a house would be better.”

Mr McGuiness, 86, admits previous owners have arrived “full of enthusiasm” but have struggled to make a success of the Plough and Harrow.

“In the last 15 years, nobody's made a living there,” he said.

“There's three pubs in the village, which it can't support.”

But not everyone is against the scheme.

Martin Roe said: “I don't think it's been handled from a PR point of view but my personal opinion is they should give it a chance.

“People will vote with their feet and their wallets if it doesn't succeed.”

Bridge has a population of 1,538 and Mr Roe says the village was lucky to have had three pubs for so long.

“Villages will keep evolving and changing. We can’t be frozen in time forever,” Mr Roe added.

“Personally, I don't think it will work, but it may do. I may literally eat my words.”

The Plough and Harrow dates back to as early as 1839.

It appeared on the market up for sale alongside three other Kent pubs in June.

At the time of its unexpected closure, it boasted a 4.5 out of 5 Tripadvisor rating.