Wetherspoon pub, Belle and Lion in Sheerness, celebrates first year of trading
Published: 14:00, 11 August 2015
Updated: 15:45, 11 August 2015
Thirsty punters have sunk nearly 90,000 pints at a Wetherspoon’s pub in its first year of trading.
Customers at the Belle and Lion in Sheerness have also downed 28,770 pints of ale and 1,964 bottles of house wine.
Between July 28, 2014, and July 26 this year they have also slurped 45,332 hot drinks, devoured 16,455 burgers, 7,129 fish and chip meals and 4,366 chicken and rib combos.
A total of £3,120 has also been raised for the chain’s registered charity, CLIC Sargent.
The £1.2 million refurbishment of the former Brittain and Hobbs electrical goods shop in the High Street was approved in February last year and has created around 60 jobs.
Husband-and-wife team Kelly and Chris Smith relocated from Greenhithe to Minster to become managers of the venue and have worked for Wetherspoon for 12 years, previously at of the Paper Moon pub in Dartford.
Mrs Smith said she felt the past year has gone better than expected.
She said: “We have been very impressed with how we have been welcomed into the community.
“We have a strong regular base so it’s nice getting to know names and faces, giving the place a good atmosphere and feel.
“We definitely feel we made the right decision to relocate here.
“There’s lots of food and drink places on the High Street but because Wetherspoon is a known brand, people know what to expect.
“We are family-oriented and have such a wide range there’s something for everybody.”
The 33-year-old added: “We don’t think we are going to be able to please everyone but the majority of the feedback has been positive.”
She said the business’s Facebook page is up to 700 likes and it has a 3.8 out of five rating on TripAdvisor.
This summer, it has introduced a takeaway menu, new breakfast items and Belle and Lion cream teas.
More charity events are in the pipeline including a darts fundraiser where players will attempt to break the world record for most points scored in a 24-hour period across three teams.
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Lewis Dyson