A group of friends who launched a pub management firm around a year ago have now taken on their second boozer.

Vesta Pubs will be officially opening The Angel, in Rainham, this afternoon, following a £185,000 refurbishment.

Directors Emma Hawney, Stephanie Cherry and Malcolm Collins said they hope to change the boozer’s reputation to create a welcoming, family-friendly place to drink.

Malcolm said: “We want to bring a family-friendly pub to the community where people feel welcome and safe.

“We have been scratching at the bit to open the doors. We are as excited as the community and we think people are looking forward to it.”

Stephanie, whose family ran pubs in Gravesend for decades, added: “I think everyone has been really keen to get it reopened. It has taken a while but it has been worth it.

“It just needed to be loved. This place has so much potential.

“I remember the day we came and looked at it and I cannot put into words how different it now is. It is unbelievable.

“A lot of people have come to the door saying how nice it looks and they want us to do well. We have had good luck cards in the post.”

The pub, on the corner of Station Road and Lower Rainham Road, has been empty for around nine months after its former bosses left.

It had been taken over by David Carroll and partner Emma Smith in December 2022 after predeccesor Stuart Hart came to the end of his tenancy.

It is not known why the pair left The Angel but following their departure pub company Admiral Taverns, which owns the public house, started looking for new landlords.

Rumours were rife in the community about the pub’s future, however, Vesta Pubs have since been announced as the new managers.

Following a £185,000 cash injection from Admiral Taverns, The Angel has officially reopened today (Friday, March 1).

There was a slight hiccup during refurbishments which saw the pub sign branded with Gillingham as opposed to Rainham which caused an uproar. It was immediately repainted.

Business development manager at Admiral Taverns, Paul Gornall, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see the result of the refurbishment at The Angel in Rainham - it looks fantastic and there really is something for everyone.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing it evolve into an essential pillar of the community.

“I would also like to welcome our brand new licensee, Malcolm Collins, his family and team to the pub. He has a wealth of experience running pubs and impressive knowledge of the local area which will be invaluable to cementing The Angel at the heart of the community.

“I wish him and the team every success for the future.”

They are planning to put on events, live music and DJs, family fun days, psychic nights and other activities including a launch party tonight.

Vesta Pubs started after Emma, who has managed different pubs for around 25 years, decided she wanted to take on The Sun, in Swanscombe, where she was working at the time.

Personal trainer Malcolm, who was also a regular, said he would help her do so but the deal fell through when another company was chosen.

Malcolm added: “We thought ‘let’s keep the dream going’ and brought in my friend Stephanie. We came together and just as the dream was fading something came along.”

The trio took on their first pub The Dewdrop, in Tywdall, around eight months ago and say they have turned the place around.

Malcolm continued: “Since being in there we have had comments about how the reputation has changed and it is a more welcoming environment.

“That is the dream we want for our pubs, we want it to be friendlier. Where the pub trade is dying we want to rejuvenate it and move with the times.

“It is not the old-school day of male-dominated pubs – more women, families and children are going into pubs.”

Emma added: “We have changed its reputation and hope we will do the same here.”

The Angel is the second pub but they hope to continue to expand the firm across the county.