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More on KentOnline
A new Wetherspoon pub is set to open on Tuesday.
The pub in Station Road, Rainham has been left disused since 2012, but JD Wetherspoon hopes to breathe new life into the historic establishment.
After six months of building works, restoration and a cash injection of £2.1million The Railway pub will open on Tuesday morning.
Doors will officially open to customers at 7am after a soft launch and staff training this weekend.
The premises was originally known as The Railway Hotel and had been a temperance hotel prior to 1901, managed by Elizabeth Sayers.
Present-day manager is Peter Pethers, who previously lead the Thomas Waghorn pub in Chatham to success.
Manager Peter Pethers said: "We have tried to pay homage to the original pub, we've decorated with lots of old pictures of the railway when it was first built.
"We're hoping to become a recognised community pub.
"It's going to be open from 7am everyday.
We're right next to the station, so commuters can pop in grab a coffee and some food before they get the train.
"We'll be doing all the classic Wetherspoon deals, curry club and fish and chips deals.
"Everyone's welcome, it's going to be brilliant."
"I'm very excited, it's going to be brilliant if it can become as popular as the Thomas Waghorn.
The Railway will specialise in real ales, as well as craft and world beers, serving a wide range of different draught ales, as well as bottled beers, with some from Kent-based brewers.
It will be open for family dining and children accompanied by an adult are welcome in the pub.
There will be wheelchair access and an adapted toilet for people with disabilities on the ground floor.
The new-look pub features one bar, as well as a non-smoking courtyard beer garden to the side of the premises.
Smoking will be permitted in a separate, designated, outdoor area.
Photos, artwork and details of Rainham's history, familiar scenes and characters are displayed in the pub, together with information boards relating to events.
Even the carpet is Rainham related.
The design references the growing of cherries, apples and - of course - hops.
There is a real fireplace and a gantry-style open kitchen.
The pub will be open from 7am -11pm Sunday to Thursday, and 7am until 12 midnight Friday and Saturday.
Food will be served throughout the day, from opening until 10.30pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 11pm (Friday-Saturday) with a takeaway options available.
