A village’s last-remaining pub is set to be transformed into an upmarket Turkish restaurant and shisha bar.

Businessman Necati Gunes, who runs chain Aspendos, has snapped up the Middle of the Road in Sturry, near Canterbury, after it had been on the market for £565,000.

The restaurateur says the boozer, which sold its last pint on Halloween, will be converted into his expanding company’s fifth branch.

And with the Mill Road premises now closed down, local beer-lovers will have to venture up to the Golden Lion in Broad Oak or the George & Dragon in Fordwich for a drink.

“It will bring a new face to that part of Canterbury,” Mr Gunes told KentOnline.

“The pub itself is run-down and we’re going to give new life to it and freshen up the old building.

“There will be a shisha bar in there. We’ve already told the locals that they would be able to come in to have a drink because there aren’t really any other pubs down there.”

Mr Gunes has taken over the 400-year-old property, originally called the Welsh Harp, from landlord Adam Papa, who ran the tavern for seven years.

He estimates that his eatery, serving a range of kebabs, mezzes and seafood dishes, will employ between 20 and 25 people.

“We’re branching out. We’ve got 11 sites and Canterbury’s another target to hit,” Mr Gunes added.

“It will open in the new year, but I can’t really say any dates because we don’t know how long things will take.

“We’ll apply for a couple of bits and pieces to the council and go from there.”

The move comes as the former Swan Inn in Sturry High Street continues to sit empty in the centre of the village, having called last orders for the final time in 2011.

Canterbury City Council is considering plans put forward earlier this year by prestigious private school King’s to restore the alehouse to its former glory, while also opening a bed-and-breakfast on the site.

Cllr Louise Harvey-Quirke, who previously worked at the Swan, believes the closure of the Middle of the Road has seen the area lose “a centre where people can get together and socialise”.

“It’s sad the village has lost its last pub,” the Conservative added.

“But any business that wants to come to the area and provide jobs to local people can only be a positive for the community.”

The Middle of the Road dates back to the 17th century. It is thought to have become the Welsh Harp in 1866 - a name it kept until 2014.

The historic building, perched on the triangular junction between the A28, Mill Road and Water Lane, was Grade II-listed in 1980.

Later it became Papa’s fish and chip shop before being renamed Coffee and Alehouse.

It simply became known as The Pub, before being renamed the Middle of the Road in 2017, with the dining room converted into a barber shop.

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