A new restaurant has opened at a market after its previous traders were forced to leave.

Smoke Low and Slow has welcomed its first customers today (December 5) at Hatch, in Gravesend, replacing Pad Thai Live, which shut in September.

Jamie Clark, who took over the running of the Gravesend Borough Market with Thomas Mudge in June, said: “It is quite exciting and I think lots of people will be pleased with it.

“It is bringing something new to Gravesend. They are offering something that fits well with the market.

“They have a big smoker smoking away which just smells amazing as you walk by.”

The smokehouse’s menu includes ribs which fall off the bone, brisket, pulled pork, pork belly, smoked wings and more.

It has taken the new owners a month to set up and fit out the unit, which includes their own smokers, by the market’s entrance from Queen Street.

Despite Pad Thai Live only closing two months ago, Jamie said it has taken them time to find the right new traders to replace the popular Thai restaurant.

He added: “We had a lot of people approach us [when Pad Thai Live closed] and we have been very selective.

“We have looked at what is unique to the area and what will work well with our customer base.”

Pad Thai Live shut on September 28 following warnings from Hatch to improve after receiving a three-star hygiene rating causing controversy online.

Speaking at the time, Jamie said it is a “last resort” to terminate a trader’s licence and was done due to “repeated and deliberate breaches” of the terms.

One of the specifics was that all businesses must achieve and maintain a level 5 hygiene rating.

An inspection was carried out on September 3 and Pad Thai Live was rated ‘Generally Satisfactory’ for hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building and management of food safety.

Jamie added: “We had been in discussion with the owners since June with concerns about their unit that required immediate attention.

“Sadly instead of making any improvements over the 12 weeks, standards only slipped even further. A final warning was sent that unless significant improvements were made immediately we would be left with no choice but to cease their trading at Hatch.”

However, Richy Williams, who ran the restaurant for the past seven years, claimed it was closing due to “irreconcilable differences” with the new operators.

He also said there were factors beyond their control which stopped them from achieving a higher food rating.

Nominations are now open for this year's Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards 2025

At the time, the restaurant boss said he was looking to open a new location in the town.