A family-run business on Sheppey should be celebrating 20 years of operating today (Thursday) - but, instead, it will be closing its doors for a second lockdown.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Saturday, The Ferry House Inn at Harty will have to postpone its milestone celebrations with owners Alex and Victoria Burden saying this year has been challenging.

But, with the second lockdown hopefully easing in December, they’re hoping they can help people make something special out of Christmas at the 16th century inn.

Mr and Mrs Burden said: “The evolution of The Ferry House over the last 20 years has been nothing short of remarkable and we’re incredibly proud of where we are today.

“We’re very far from being done however - there is a lot more that we want to achieve, with our fantastic team.

“This year has certainly been difficult at times and not quite the celebratory year we hoped for, but the loyal support, kind words and positivity from our customers certainly keeps us going.

“Our team have been incredible these last eight months in their handling of our new normal as a ‘Covid secure’ venue and we feel just as passionate today about improving The Ferry House as we ever have done.”

The Ferry House Inn is well-known for hosting a number of weddings.

However, weddings were banned during the first lockdown. Then they were allowed to go ahead, but with a maximum of 30 guests - this was later dropped to 15, but this second lockdown means they are banned once more.

Marketing manager Helen Hatton said this year had been “challenging to say the least”.

She added: “Our wedding couples have been through an incredibly difficult time postponing their days - in some cases several times.

“What was less predictable was the strain - emotionally and mentally - dealing with these complications and the effect it had on our own team.

“We’ve had to adapt how we work in order to cope and I’ve been prodigiously proud of how they have managed during what is an incredibly frustrating and draining time.

“Beginning some small weddings again and getting back to doing what we do best brought a huge lift, but sadly with the latest restrictions we’re back to postponing those going forward, and supporting our couples as best as we can.”

Something that did work in the inn’s favour this year - before the weekend’s announcement - was the rise in ‘staycation’ breaks and the success of the government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme.

Helen added: “With the first lockdown we lost 95% of our bookings for our group of five self-catering cottages at Mocketts Farm, which were largely booked for wedding guest accommodation.

“Thankfully, we recouped those with staycations over the summer.

"We’ve had a great August with the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, but we sincerely hope people will return to us over the winter months after the easing of the next lockdown.”

The team has already put a festive menu in place for its restaurant, which can still be booked in advance, and it is working on plans for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

December will also see new pampering treatment rooms opened, complementing the B&B rooms and cottages.

There are now 11 individually-styled B&B guest rooms after the inn opened six new Coach House bedrooms in August 2019.

Helen said these rooms, which were designed by Sheerness -based Nick Auston Design, were opened to “set The Ferry House aside as a premium overnight destination and provide much-needed wedding accommodation for the venue”.

“Quality time with loved ones feels more significant than ever this year,” she added.

“A bit of R&R in a beautiful hideaway spot feels like something we all need right now.”

To find out more about the inn and what it has to offer, click here.

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