The future of an abandoned village pub next to a garden centre has been revealed.

The Papermakers Arms, in Hawley near Dartford, has sat vacant since closing its doors in April 2022, according to Sidney Phillips, the estate agents who managed its sale.

However, last month the family-run public house was sold privately after being tendered with an asking price of more than £800,000.

It is understood to have been bought by a local business looking to expand its portfolio of sites.

Ward councillor for Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley, Cllr George Holt (Con), has since met with the new owners who shared their plans to convert the derelict boozer in Hawley Road into a luxury car showroom.

He said: “It is really upsetting to see what has happened to this once great pub, the basement flooded, roof tiles fell off and the ceiling almost fell in amongst other things.

“The new owners plan on this being a luxury car showroom with a planning application expected shortly.

“The planning application will be the residents’ official chance to raise concerns or ask questions about the planned use.

“There will be parking on-site and a clear boundary maintained. They say they are also planning on repairing the building and maintaining its existing structure and aesthetic.

“I appreciate this news is going to be frustrating, and many would have wanted to have seen the pub reopened, or perhaps repurposed as a shop.

“However, we play with the hand we are dealt - the land has a new owner.

“As local councillors, it is our role to push for a reasonable outcome for the village's residents.”

A planning application for the former boozer, next to Hawley Garden Centre, is yet to be submitted to Dartford council.

The garden centre too recently changed hands after being taken over by Kent-based paving and walling manufacturer Castacrete with plans revealed for a nursery and mini golf on-site.

It’s just the latest in a long line of pub closures across Dartford and the surrounding villages in recent years.

Villagers have previously voiced their concerns over the future of The Bridges pub in Horton Road, South Darenth, after it too went up for auction last year.

The Welsh Tavern in London Road, Stone, shut five months after the Papermakers Arms in 2022 and there are plans for it to bulldozed and replaced with eight two-bed and six one-bed flats.

Further afield, the George and Dragon in Swanscombe, has also shut permanently and has faced numerous bids for it to be turned into a pizza takeaway.

The building, which has been empty for almost five years, is situated at the edge of the site of the A226 Galley Hill Road cliff collapse.