The new boss of a pub which has seen three landlords in 15 months says he must “try something a bit different” to survive.

Rob Marshall also stressed food has become an “inherent part of pub culture” amid The George Inn’s grand reopening near Faversham.

Mr Marshall’s arrival marks the third managerial change in, what has been, a tumultuous 15 months for the 18th-century Newnham based Shepherd Neame establishment.

It comes as pubs across Kent and the country face a torrid time staying afloat as bills soar and customers’ drinking habit change owed, in part, to the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Marshall, who previously ran The Square Peg in Tunbridge Wells but had the George in his sights since 2011, described last Friday’s reopening as a resounding success.

He told KentOnline: “It's the pub I've always wanted and it's just like the planets have aligned.

“I think it's a fantastic opportunity, it's the right kind of setting for us and it's a good size.

“Ever since I first came here, I loved it and it’s held my attention and my imagination since.”

The chef of 15 years told how the George intends to be open seven days a week offering a bar menu throughout the day and a la carte menu in the evenings.

Sunday lunches are also expected to be on the menu.

Still in developed, the menu so far includes Welsh rarebit, beef shin, crispy pig’s head and more traditional offerings such as ploughman’s lunch and sausage and mash.

Although not a fan of the term ‘gastropub’, the new tenant is under no illusions the food offering will be key to any success the George Inn could achieve.

But explaining how he didn’t want the spot to be seen as a restaurant, Mr Marshall continued: “I think to try and capture the imaginations of as many people as possible, I think you do have to do something a bit different.”

“There's very few pubs that only do drink now, I think food is almost an inherent part of pub culture now.

“But you can pop in for a glass of wine, a coffee or a light bite, or you could come for a date night – it’s a lovely old character property where you can have all of those things.

“We can't be all things to everyone, and we wouldn't pretend to be, but we certainly will try to offer lots of different opportunities for people to come here and enjoy the pub without having to commit to the expense of a three-course meal.

“Because it isn't a restaurant. It is very much a pub.”

News of the inn reopening comes following a period of worry amongst residents concerned over the future of the long-established boozer.

The pub has struggled in the past to be viable for tenants, with Covid and the cost of living crisis ultimately forcing multiple landlords out.

In April 2023, Dave and Claire Elliott departed after admitting they were “financially drowning” during their time at the inn.

Whilst new hosts Tom Gravett and Renata Peret moved in swiftly to fill the gap, they were only able to stay for five months before the pub shut on New Year’s Day – saying they were “unable to sustain our business model”.

Greg Wallis, the director of tenanted pub operations at Shepherd Neame, told KentOnline: “We are delighted that we have now recruited a new licensee at The George Inn.”

This summer alone, KentOnline has reported on several pubs either struggling or closing.

Staff at The Flying Saucer in Hempstead were unexpectedly told of their pub’s closure in June while, more recently, a road closure in Ashford spelled trouble for landlords.

Publicans told how customer numbers would be severely slashed when roadworks close Newtown Road, Ashford, for six weeks.