Villagers are rallying together to save a 230-year-old pub described as a “community icon” from closure.

The Lads of the Village pub in Elizabeth Steet, Stone, is under threat of closure after the landlord was served with an eviction notice.

The historic boozer has been described by regulars as “the heart of the village” and landlord Sean Holland is due to celebrate 45 years at its helm on July 4.

The 80-year-old and his wife Julie have until January before they must leave the pub after reportedly being told by the private company that manages it they intend to repurpose it – by either demolishing or renovating it.

Now villagers are rallying together with local councillors and are seeking to have it nominated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) in a bid to save it.

Sean said: “The sad thing is all these people are my friends here.

“I've been here 45 years and I will miss it. I'm getting on and it's forcing me into early retirement.

“But I'll be ok as long as I always have a drink in my hand.”

Stone Parish Council is campaigning to save the pub and protect the building as a local heritage landmark by nominating it as an Asset of Community Value or a local heritage asset.

At a meeting in June, members of the village were asked to share their memories of the pub and a phrase repeated by many was how lost the community would be without it.

Stone Parish Councillor Paul Cutler has lived in Stone for almost 30 years and is a regular at the pub.

He said: “It really is the hub of the village and fits the profile of a community pub in every way and more.

“I have made many life-long friends and sadly said goodbye to too many who are no longer sipping a pint or two with me.

“Many bereaved people have found great compassion and friendship at the Lads and have avoided loneliness which often comes when your partner is taken from you.”

He added: “I will always remember a friend actually saying if it wasn’t for the support and social life from the friends at the Lads, they would not be here.

“People really will be lost without it.”

He said the pub had been there for every milestone in his adult life.

He added: “I have wet the heads of my four children here, had my stag do, had a few to settle my nerves on the way to the local church on my wedding day and enjoyed precious time with my late dad here on Father’s Day and similar occasions.”

The pub is known for its many and varied social events including darts, veterans and super vets football, golf societies, pool, battlefield tours overseas, as well as putting on loads of charity events, raising thousands for good causes.

But it’s not just the regular punters that gain comfort from the pub. Cllr Cutler said it was always really welcoming to new patrons.

He said: “A recent new customer who was staying at the local motel said how the Lads’ warm welcome had made his stays away from home and family much more bearable.

“If anyone does not come in when they are expected, someone will always check on them.

“I have had so many special times to remember from The Lads but I think the most precious and life-long memories will be the laughter and the humour and warmth of the friendships made here.”

He added: “We must, must preserve this community icon in Stone.”

Dany Tibby, of Hedgeplace Road, has also been a regular patron for the past 30 years playing bat and trap, darts and golf.

She said the pub had always been very welcoming for ladies.

She said: “They always made ladies welcome to join in and be part of the community. Most public house are very male-orientated but The Lads is a pub where a woman can enter and feel welcome any time.”

She added: “The Lads of the Village is the heart of our community for so many people and we need to save this amazing place.”

A planning application for the erection of two three-bedroom semi-detached homes with parking and amenity space was permitted in 2018.

Reserved matters were approved in 2022 but to date seemingly only minor groundworks have been carried out at the site.

Dartford council has the power under the Localism Act to nominate the pub as an ACV if the asset champions the community’s social well-being or social interest, and is likely to do so in the future.

If it is accepted as an ACV, the community can then decide if they want to form a bid to buy the pub if the freeholder chooses to put it on the market.

Those fighting for the pub now face an agonising eight-week wait to find out if their appeal has been successful.

Listing the building as a local heritage asset or ACV would not prevent redevelopment or demolition but adds to the considerations in assessing any planning application.