A 17th century pub that doubles up as the only Chinese takeaway delivering to Faversham homes has gone under the hammer.

The George and New Territories in Teynham was put up for auction a fortnight ago for £530,000, before being withdrawn as bidders failed to hit its reserve price.

But husband-and-wife owners Peter Gomm and Oi Lin Wong remain determined to sell the old coach house – which they snapped up almost 20 years ago for £340,000.

“I’m an old man and I just want to retire,” Mr Gomm, 68, explained.

“Running a pub, restaurant, takeaway is a seven-day-a-week job.

“It needs somebody with the foresight I had 20 years ago to take it one step further, but nobody wants to work at the moment.

“I’ve got a good business here, and I wasn’t going to let it go cheap.”

Miles & Barr had marketed the building last year for £650,000, before lowering its asking price ahead of the auction towards the end of last month.

Mr Gomm says he and his wife have come close to striking a deal with prospective buyers, but failed to get the sales over the line.

The landlord also claims developers wanting to transform the London Road structure into homes have expressed interest in the site.

But he only wants to sell it to someone intent on continuing to run the popular business, adding that its takings will rocket if previously approved plans for a B&B in its pub garden are revived.

“The auctioneers thought it would go quite quickly,” Mr Gomm added.

“But it needs someone to not only run a bar, but expand the Chinese restaurant and build the bed and breakfast in the garden.

“Once that’s done, Bob’s your uncle and you’ve got a £750,000 business.”

“I’m very surprised no one in Faversham has followed suit – they’re definitely missing a trick..."

Records show the historic boozer, previously called the George Inn, was built in 1652 as a coach house for pilgrims travelling between London and Canterbury.

But by the 1950s it reverted to just being a pub, after its stables and outbuildings were either demolished or transformed into garages, stores and kitchen.

Its name was changed to The George and New Territories when Mrs Wong launched the Chinese restaurant in part of the building 16 years ago.

“We saw a gap in the market and exploited it,” Mr Gomm continued.

“I’m very surprised no one in Faversham has followed suit – they’re definitely missing a trick.

“My business has gone from strength to strength over the last two or three years.

“I don’t know of any other Chinese restaurants and pubs all under one roof – as far as I know, it’s the only one of its kind.”

While there are several Chinese takeaways in Faversham, none of them offer a delivery service.