The landlord of an 18th-century pub known for its Sunday lunches has closed the business in a move he called “the end of an era”.

The Hare and Hounds in The Street, Northbourne, Deal, brought down the shutters “until further notice” during the weekend following a leaving party.

Announcing the closure, landlord Roy O’Neill, who also runs the Plough Inn in Ripple near Deal, gave heartwarming thanks to staff and customers.

“Just want to say thank you to everyone who supported us.

“I have truly made some friends for life.

“Thanks to everyone that worked and was a part of here.

“End of an era and start of a new one,” he said in a statement.

Pubs across Kent have struggled in recent times.

A Faversham pub recently closed just five months after re-opening with new hosts who were “instantly smitten” by the inn.

And a much-loved pub in Sheppey was shut and put up for sale last week after “ever-increasing” bills forced it out of business.

The Hare and Hounds was forced to close early on New Year’s Day due to a lack of customers and decided last month to ditch opening on Tuesdays due to “a lack of support”.

But despite this, the village tavern had made a good name for itself thanks to its food – with a four-and-a-half star rating on Tripadvisor.

A total of 123 out of 197 reviews declared the place to be “excellent” with particular emphasis on the no-nonsense pub lunches and Sunday roasts.

Described as “a traditional country pub with a modern twist”, the Hare and Hounds has seen as many as five landlords trying to make a go of it in the past 10 years.

Current landlord Roy O’Neill took over the reins in July 2022 as he looked to steady the ship but was greeted with licensing issues which meant the establishment closed temporarily.

The first reference to a public house at the property was in 1740 when it was known as The Horse and Hound – only earning its new name in the 1800s.

It was also one of the first in East Kent to introduce a smoking ban – bringing the rule into effect in 2004 before the habit of smoking indoors at public venues was eventually outlawed across the nation in 2007.

The pub has been contacted for comment.