The unexpected closure of a highly rated pub has sparked sorrow among customers who say its departure has left “a huge gap” in the high street.

Bosses of The Providence Inne, a mainstay in Sandgate near Folkestone, suddenly closed the doors for trade without an announcement, leaving many residents puzzled.

Situated in a prominent spot, the tavern has served the village for decades, having first obtained an alcohol licence as a George Beer and Rigden premises in 1949.

Despite keeping various cider, ale and beer options on its books, the pub’s final day of trading was August 26, with the decision later announced by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

It comes after the inn was ranked first out of 12 pubs in Sandgate in TripAdvisor’s Travellers' Choice awards for 2023.

Clifton Crescent resident Kelly Scott says it is a "shame" it could no longer continue serving.

The 63-year-old said: "I used to go in there quite a lot and know it well.

"It would be a lovely place to go for a meal rather than just for a drink.

"So it was more of a restaurant than a pub, although it used to be a pub when it had two bars and a fire in the middle - I think that may have made some difference to it shutting down."

The editorial administrator believes competition in Sandgate may have led to the pub's demise.

"It served old-fashioned English food like roast dinners and lamb shanks rather than Mediterranean cuisine," Ms Scott added.

"I don't think the prices were very expensive - they were the same as others like The Famous Ship Inn.

"But the Royal Norfolk has also become quite popular of late too, plus other places in Sandgate like the John Dory.

"So there is only so many times you can eat out and of course that makes it hard for businesses to find their own clientele.

"Sandgate is quite an affluent area so I don't think it's a money problem as to why they closed, but if a place isn't making as much effort as others nearby people can just end up walking past.

"So it is a shame, but hopefully something happens to it in the future whatever that may be."

Later taken over by Fremlin's Brewery, The Providence was extended in the 1970s when the pub acquired the Sea Breeze café next door.

It then expanded to become a free house in May 2015 under the ownership of Antony Preston, 62, and then Darryl Pond, 45, five years later.

Nicola South, who lives less than a mile away in Sunnyside Road, believes its departure will be felt throughout the village.

“It’s incredibly sad," the 47-year-old insisted.

“It’s the biggest pub in Sandgate and means a huge gap will be left now.

“You used to have to book about a month in advance to enjoy a Sunday lunch which shows its reputation.

“But from what I’ve heard the overheads were extortionate.

“One half was a restaurant and the other half was a bar, so with the cost of alcohol nowadays it wouldn’t have survived just doing drinks."

Cllr Gary Fuller is another who was downbeat about the independent pub's closure.

"It's sad whenever a business closes," the Lib Dem representative for Sandgate and West Folkestone said.

"I wouldn't say I have undue concerns about the village as we have seen some successful businesses in Sandgate.

"It's a well set-up high street and still quite vibrant.

"But we do get a certain amount of churn of businesses.

"I'm hopeful The Providence can live on at some point in the future if new management do decide to take it over."

KentOnline contacted the owners of the pub twice via telephone and again via email but received no response.