A pantomime and the arrival of a pub landlord and his wife have brought the community back together in Northbourne.

Ryan and Georgia Lynch took over the Hare and Hounds in the village in November and, thanks to the am-dram group meeting there on rehearsal nights, the village feel is well and truly restored.

“Without them, this pub wouldn’t be open,” said Ryan, 32.

He and Georgia moved to the area from Bexley with their children, Bartholomew, three, and Luella, two.

Ex-city worker Ryan left the financial sector and gained four years’ experience managing pubs but he became disillusioned by their ethos and set out on his own with support from his father.

“We’re looking forward to the summer. There will be a three-day Bank Holiday event" - Ryan Lunch, The Hare & Hounds

He now wants to make his ventures a top-notch experience for customers and diners and his big aim is to have 10 pubs and eateries around the coast

He has already branched out from Northbourne into Deal itself.

On New Year’s Eve he took on the lease for the Jolly Gardener in Golf Road.

Already he has invested in the North Deal complex’s latest eaterie, a pizzeria, and he flew over a specialist oven from Italy.

His vision includes a clientele of men stopping off after work for a drink, and ladies drinking prosecco and eating pizza.

Back at the Hare and Hounds he has invested in contemporary branding and an Italian menu is sure to offer an alternative for relaxing nights dining out and special occasions.

“I might be biased but our Sunday roast is something special too,” he said.

It’s a tribute to the Hare and Hound players for coming back to their old haunt, which is also their namesake.

They meet there before and after rehearsals in the village hall, having migrated to the Crown at Finglesham for rehearsals in the past.

“Now they come here again, which is nice because they are named after the pub after all.”

In keeping with the village feel, Ryan and Georgia, 28, have bigger plans.

“We’re looking forward to the summer. There will be a three-day event on one of the May bank holidays with live music, like a little festival in the garden.”

The event is a fundraiser in support of a friend, whose child was born with a life-limiting illness but sadly died,

More details will be published when available but in the meantime Ryan and Georgia are working on building up the Hare and Hounds and the Jolly Gardener.

“We’re planning on putting this place back on the map,” he said.