It was more than 40 years since I’d been in the Old Beverlie so I wasn’t expecting to see anyone I recognised and I certainly wasn’t expecting them to know me.

But it turned out I’d chosen a momentous day to visit this Shepherd Neame pub on St Stephens Green in Canterbury and there was lots of chat in the bar about what the future might hold?

I was greeted immediately by a pair of barmaids who were working in tandem like turbo-charged twins to make sure everyone felt welcome – and this was despite the fact it was their last day.

I was faced by all the usual Sheps’ offerings and decided to play this one with a straight bat by ordering a pint of Bear Island. It might be a more American version of the traditional pale ale and has certainly got some strong bitterness about it but you know where you are with this 4.8% deep gold brew.

Turning my attention back to the barmaids, I asked why it was their last day and they reported that they’re moving on to another pub in the Sheps empire, and it’s all because Ye Olde Bev has got new tenants moving in to take on the place.

This conversation was quickly joined by several regulars, some who were clearly better versed than others about what was happening here:

“It’s a couple from Whitstable, and that’s all anyone knows” – Punter 1.

“Scott was the manager here but he’s moving on to the Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable (you know, the big pub where the road splits, Sheps have spent a fortune on it) to be the manager there” – Punter 2.

“It’s a couple and they’re coming across from the Oyster Bed pub – got a family as well but don’t know where they’ll stay as there’s no way enough room upstairs here” – Punter 3.

However, my attention was taken by the, if I was being rude, I’d say loud and brash fellow next to me, if I was being polite I’d say life and soul of the bar.

He’d spotted a magazine on the bar about pub reviews and was informing his mate that the Secret Drinker had given him a special mention, particularly about his physique, when he been in the Royal Oak in nearby Blean. He turned to me to continue the story and said he’d recognise the chap anywhere if he saw him again.

I swiftly ordered a second pint, saving myself 5p by changing up to a Whitstable Bay Blond and ordered a packet of crisps.

I was assured food would normally be served but that the kitchen was closed because the chef had already left and they’d been running it down in preparation for the handover.

At this point, another regular, who lives a few doors down, decided he should have his say:

“The food was really good but it was expensive, I hope the new tenant introduces decent pub grub at reasonable prices. This pub could be great. It’s not used as much as it should be but there’s lots of potential here”.

Anyway, enough chat about the future, what’s it like now?

A fairly long, thin pub, with hops slung across its low beams, the front door was wedged open to allow a decent breeze through the bar as it was also open at the back.

It has a flagged floor, dogs are welcomed and, although there is no pool table, dartboard or jukebox, there was music playing gently in the background, with a number of interesting 80s and 90s’ tunes featured.

The back of the pub was also wide open and led out to a decent-sized garden area with at least six or so picnic tables dotted about. Whether they’re regulars I’m not sure, and I’m no bird expert, but there was a pair of relatively tame, very black birds in the garden which might have been ravens.

The guy at the bar, who’d definitely know SD if he sees him again, took a moment to welcome me back before renewing his conversation, and interest in, the barmaids, saying how much they’d both be missed.

The toilets were clean and tidy, the only slight negative point being the empty soap dispenser which someone must have forgotten to replenish.

I enjoyed this opportunity to witness the final moments in this chapter of the Old Beverlie and spoke to a number of regulars who all have their fingers firmly crossed for the next era in this historic pub’s story.

UPDATE: As part of the changes at Ye Olde Beverlie, the pub is temporarily closed but is set to reopen on Wednesday, September 11. It also sounds like Punter 3 was spot on with his gossip.

YE OLDE BEVERLIE, ST STEPHEN’S GREEN, CANTERBURY CT2 7JU

Décor: Superb low oak beams and flags on the floor, the centuries-old history of the pub is apparent everywhere. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes the new tenants make. ****

Drink: I know I was choosing carefully, but as trios go, this is probably the best Sheps’ trifecta I’ve managed. The Bear was a good example, the Whitstable Bay Blond extremely refreshing and the pricier First Drop the pick of the bunch. ****

Price: All north of a fiver, Bear Island is £5.60 a pint, the Whitstable Bay Blond is £5.55 and Small Batch First Drop is £6.10 a pint. Suddenly the crisps at £1.40 didn’t seem so expensive! **

Staff: Credit where it’s due, it might have been their last evening but the barmaids were still putting in a shift and the regulars all seemed sincere in saying they’d be sorry to see them go. ****

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