An historic pub which has been shut for months faces an uncertain future and its former landlady fears it could be turned into a kebab shop or a Sainsbury’s.

Rebecca Baker made the tough decision to call time on her stewardship of the Fox and Goose in Bapchild, near Sittingbourne, following the death of her father, plus the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

The 47-year-old served customers at the watering hole, which dates back to the 17th century, for eight years.

She said: “The changing of our lease at the property was coming up and the lack of trade just meant it wasn’t feasible to continue.

“With the rising prices of everything we just weren’t getting the support from the villagers.

“It’s partly to do with the cost of living crisis but we can’t compete with chains such as Wetherspoon.

“The Stonegate brewery prices, who own the lease, were just too high.”

Through the first lockdown, Rebecca and her family continued selling their much-loved roast dinners, delivering them to customers thanks to help from locals James Mohammed and Pat Ruanne.

They also took food to Medway Hospital, ambulance stations, Sittingbourne Fire Station, nurses, carers, support workers and elderly and vulnerable people from Faversham to Medway.

But sadly, not long after the pandemic hit, the grandmother-of-three lost her dad, her biggest helper, to cancer.

She explained: “It was just too much to take on by myself.

"Dad got the diagnosis that he had a terminal brain tumour. With Covid still at a high, unfortunately treatment was delayed and dad's health deteriorated.

"He passed away on December 16. He was our life, our best mate and the heart of the pub."

The loss of her dad, the increasing costs, rent prices and utility bills meant Rebecca had to make the tough decision to close the pub on May 15.

She said: "I did take out the bounce back loan and got the lower amount of the grants.

"With that I paid previous debts, decorated the pub and totally overhauled the garden for outside drinking restrictions.

"My car broke down and I was personally getting further into debt keeping the pub open. It was one thing after another. It was all too much and it was making me ill."

Rebecca explained how disappointed she was that she couldn't keep the business running.

She added: "I am so grateful to all the customers, friends, my partner Steven Bravery and family members that have supported me.

"However, with lack of support from the village of Bapchild itself, how is a village pub supposed to survive? We tried everything.

"I really do hope that if another pub opens they are half as lucky as me to make the friends I made.

"I hope the village supports them. I'm heartbroken to see the pub how it is now and really do feel a failure."

Meanwhile, the future for the pub remains in doubt.

Rebecca explained that a kebab shop owner had viewed the property and said the brewery had told her Sainsbury's had also shown interest.

A spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "We haven’t announced anything regarding plans for a new Sainsbury’s store at this site.

"We regularly review new sites to expand our store portfolio across the UK and will consider all types of properties and locations."

Needleworx Tattoo Studio was also based at the property.

As part of the lease, business owner Richard Cole had to pack up shop in June and reopened in a new property in Teynham last month.

The Fox and Goose is being marketed by Stonegate for a yearly rent of £18,000, with an estimated £8,500 start-up cost.

A pub has been on the site since the 1670s. Today, it includes a three-bedroom flat.

A spokesman for Stonegate brewery said: “The incumbent tenant’s lease is expiring, we are actively recruiting for a new pub partner to reopen the pub as soon as possible.”

For more on taking on the pub click here.

Rebecca added: "Will it ever be a pub again? I would hope with all my heart if it does that the local community really come together and support it.

"I now need to find a job and try to build a life again.

"I have three beautiful grandchildren to keep me smiling, but I will always miss the incredible people that have touched my life during my time as the landlady at the Fox and Goose."