A landlady has closed her struggling pub after running out of money to pay the bills and becoming ill from the stress of trying to keep it afloat.

Sarah Gamble says it was impossible to turn a profit at the Shepherd Neame-owned Master Brewer in Folkestone, describing her time there as a “financial disaster”.

The 43-year-old, who took over the Broadmead Village inn a year ago, has accused the Faversham-based brewery of not providing enough support.

She told KentOnline: “The brewery rates are ridiculous. My rent's £700 a week before I even get out and serve anything.

“Beer prices are extortionate and they have tied me into everything.

“Our kitchen is not fit for purpose and we were promised a new one by Shepherd Neame but they never delivered on this.

“It was not fit to do a seven-day-a-week menu and that's where the shortfall was. We couldn't make enough money just from selling beer. They just haven't been supportive at all.”

Bosses at Shepherd Neame say they are sorry to hear Ms Gamble is disappointed by her experience - but they are already speaking to people interested in taking over the pub.

Ms Gamble, who lives at the Master Brewer and needs to move out, also co-owns the Valiant Sailor in Capel-le-Ferne with business partner Louise Butlin.

She took on the new challenge just five weeks ago and is confident she can make the independent pub a success.

She added: “When Louise asked me to take over the Valiant with her I saw it as an opportunity.

“It made me realise that I was haemorrhaging thousands of pounds into the Master Brewer.

“This pub is a different ball game. It's got a complete kitchen, a massive garden and is in a perfect location for the whole family.

“I decided it was time to put all of my energy into this.”

Ms Gamble has thanked her Master Brewer customers for their support and says she is “gutted” not to be able to fulfil her five-year lease.

She said: “I've made some amazing friends and memories.

“We were promised a new garden and kitchen by Shepherd Neame and they never came through on any of it. They have put me into financial disaster.

“We spent thousands refurbishing the pub and I’m so upset that we couldn't make it work.

“To be able to survive as a pub we would have to take in about £4,000 a week. I exhausted all of my money and I haven't got any more to put in.

“I just couldn't do it anymore. it was making me ill.”

Shepherd Neame’s director of tenanted pub operations, Greg Wallis, said: “We are sorry that the licensees at the Master Brewer have been disappointed by their experience running the pub during the past year.

“We pride ourselves on building and maintaining strong relationships with our pub partners, providing a comprehensive range of support and initiatives to help them achieve their individual goals and business ambitions.

“We are confident that the Master Brewer offers a fantastic business opportunity and are currently talking to interested parties.”

Punters have expressed their sadness online following the sudden closure of the pub, which first opened in 1985.

Belinda Walker commented: “Oh no. This is such awful news. I loved popping in for a drink and a chat.”

Jackie Underdown added: “I’m so sad for you.”

It is not the first time landlords of a Shepherd Neame pub have said it was “impossible to make a profit”, with Matthew and Martine Brett making that same claim about the Saracen’s Head in Deal.

Bosses at Shepherd Neame, the UK’s oldest brewer, have since sold the pub and plans to turn it into a house were approved by Dover District Council earlier this year.

“You gave it your best and our great friendship blossomed from it. Good luck for the future.”