A new bistro has opened at a hotel and is named after a sunken war ship.

The Abbey, in Minster, Sheppey, is now home to an eatery called Monty’s Bistro.

It has been named after the SS Montgomery – an American cargo ship built during the Second World War.

The ship was wrecked off Sheerness in August 1944 and has become something of a tourist attraction.

The bistro opened on Saturday and is staffed by the hotel’s existing catering team.

The current restaurant will remain but will now be operated by the bistro and off the hotel’s books.

Head chef Sophie Stratton, who has worked at The Abbey for seven years, will run the kitchen at Monty’s alongside business partner and events manager at the hotel, Ilana Chalk.

Mrs Chalk insists naming the business Monty’s was a no-brainer.

She said: "Obviously we called it Monty's because of the local theme of Montgomery's on the Island – that was an idea we just couldn't ignore.

“The hotel approached me and Sophie to lease the restaurant out to us.

"They wanted to start something different in terms of their catering, as since Covid the hospitality industry has taken a big hit.

"So that's why we're going to take it on in terms of a freelance opportunity, rebrand the kitchen and then franchise the business within the facility.

"I started a year ago in reception and am now the events manager of the hotel, and I have also had catering experience before.

"We will be working in exactly the same place as before, but have now formed Monty's Bistro Limited having only agreed to this two weeks ago, so it's happened very fast.”

Abbey’s bar will continue to operate as part of the hotel, with events such as parties and wedding receptions run by the two business together.

An Italian cuisine will also lead the bistro’s new menu, and will ensure “a complete refresh” for guests.

The 48-year-old added: "We will run the bistro during the day and serve lunch and cakes, and then during the evening we will be open as a restaurant.

"That will be seven days a week - from 10am-3pm and then we will reopen from 6pm until about 10pm.

"The only new chef will be Calvin, who has experience in Italian and Mediterranean cooking so we are looking forward to his ideas.

"It's going to be a complete refresh with a lot more inviting and fresh lunchtime options, and then that heavily-based Italian influence.

"We are planning to use our flame grill a lot for our steaks and chicken and have flatbreads served also.

"It means we will have a team of about 10 people, including the front-of-house staff.”

She added: "We have got some other great things planned soon like music events, brunches and a Michael Bublé tribute act.”