A couple who have run a much-loved pub for almost two decades have announced it will close at the end of the year.

Dave and Jackie Sadler have been the landlord and landlady of the Park Inn Hotel in Folkestone for more than 17 years but will leave after pulling their final pints on New Year's Eve.

Although they did not wish to leave the pub, which is on Radnor Park Road opposite Folkestone Central railway station, the owner of the building has decided to sell up thanks to the financial hit of successive lockdowns.

Mr Sadler said: "It's very sad. It's not making enough profit at the moment, we had 12 months of lockdown with all the bills and everything else.

"It's been a great place, we have got a lot of fantastic regulars and a lot of the people here are going to be gutted. It's a real community."

The couple, who previously ran pubs in Folkestone including the Martello and the Nailbox, also thanked all their staff past and present for making the pub the treasured place it has been over the years.

For many locals the pub was known as a live music venue.

Nick Lawrence, whose four-piece covers band Backburner made regular appearances, said: "We played the Park Inn several times and always had a blast. Great crowd, great times. It's such a pity another live music pub gone."

Originally called the 'Central Hotel', the building is understood to have been renamed the Park Inn in 1986.

An announcement of the decision to close posted on Facebook drew numerous comments expressing sadness at the news, with many noting how supportive the venue had been of the local music scene.

Sarah Goodsell wrote: "The Park Inn has always been a great supporter of live music and Jackie, Dave and all the staff are always welcoming. Very sad news that it’s all coming to an end you will be greatly missed and all the best to you all for the future."

The final night for the Sadlers at the Park Inn will be the new year celebrations, which will now also be a celebration of their many years at the pub.

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