A 650-year-old pub looks set to become a branch of Costa Coffee.

The chain confirmed that the possible conversion of the closed New Inn in New Romney is being explored although stressed that it was still by no means certain.

A Costa spokesman said: “One of our franchise partners – a local businessperson to the area – is currently evaluating opportunities in the New Romney area but has no firm plans in place at this stage.”

“We work closely with planning departments across the country to open new stores for the benefit of their local communities, creating new jobs and providing attractive and popular social meeting places.”

Costa, which is owned by Whitbread, runs its outlets through a franchise system but under the Costa brand.

The High Street pub, which opened in 1381, served its last pint on September 4 after the owners gave the tenant, Caroline Carruthers, notice to quit on August 26.
This happened just 13 days after the pub was devastated by flash flooding in the town.

Mrs Carruthers, who ran the pub for two years with her husband Andy, said: “This is one of the oldest buildings in New Romney and it is now all boarded up and looking sorry for itself.

“To my knowledge the pub had been sold and Costa Coffee was the strongest rumour.
“I wanted someone to reinvest in it but I had hoped for it be become a pub again or restaurant.

“The High Street already has three cafes or coffee shops with a delicatessen due to open a fourth on its premises shortly.”

Mrs Carruthers said that as the New Inn’s tenant she was given 28 days’ notice to quit but left the pub early because, due to the flooding, it no longer even had carpets.

Flash floods on August 13 caused the rain to even come through the roof of the building because its guttering had been overwhelmed.

The water reached nearly every room.

The age of the building meant that the water had gone through nearly every possible opening and had even run down the stairs.

The pub’s cellar was flooded up to a foot and the function room had eight to nine inches in it.

Mr and Mrs Carruthers are currently not working and are renting a property elsewhere in New Romney.