A family-run pub threatened with losing its license after a police raid uncovered guns and drugs lying around has been told it can continue trading.

The Kings Head at Grafty Green in Maidstone was threatened with closure owing to fears over the safety of its customers.

It comes after a police raid found a number of guns in the bar area and drugs in the upstair rooms.

Beverley Simpson-Sweet told KentOnline her family, who have been running the pub in Headcorn Road for 33 years, have been worried sick about a review of its licence.

Speaking to Kent Online, Beverley said: “It’s been a very tough time, especially for my parents, who are in their eighties. It’s been so worrying. We are so pleased to be able to continue running.

“We want to thank our customers for all their support during this terrible time. We are good people and there has never been any bother here.”

Beveley’s elderly parents Kenneth Sweet, 84, and his wife Evelyn, 85, still play an active part in helping Beverley behind the bar.

The pub’s licence came under threat after a police raid in February found a number of guns in the bar area, including two imitation firearms, a BB gun, a starter revolver and an ASP baton in the bar area along with a supply of ammunition upstairs.

Four shotguns were also found at the premises. Although these were legally held under a shotgun licence, only three of them were correctly stored, while the fourth was found standing at the top of the stairs.

The application said drugs were also found in the upstairs rooms in the form of small bags of cannabis and bags of white powder which officers believed at the time were connected with the supply of drugs.

Police wanted to revoke the pub's licence due to fears about the safety of the pub's customers.

However, Beverley said she has now been told the licence review has been dropped, subject to her attending a refresher personal licence course. She said there were no issues with guns or drugs.

‘In the circumstances, all parties have agreed that the hearing is unnecessary and that matters have been resolved...’

A spokesman for Maidstone council said: “In accordance with the council’s statement of licensing policy, the hearing scheduled for 28 April 2023 has been cancelled.

“In the circumstances, all parties have agreed that the hearing is unnecessary and that matters have been resolved such as to ensure promotion of the licensing objectives.”

Inspector Steve Kent, of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit, said: “We are working with the licence holder for the King's Head public house in Grafty Green, to add new conditions to the premises licence.

“This will assist the management to deliver their responsibilities under the licensing objectives and operate a safe establishment.”