The new landlady of a pub which has been under temporary management since the pandemic says she is aiming to "bring it back to life".

Sam Drury, who previously ran The New Inn in Murston, has taken over The Beauty of Bath in College Road, Sittingbourne, and says she will be investing her own money into returning it to its glory days.

She believes it has all the ingredients to become the “beating heart” of the community, and is keen to launch new events such as bottomless brunches, afternoon tea and murder mystery nights.

“My intentions are to make it a modern pub to build on its foundation," she said.

“I want to make it more welcoming and attractive to everybody, while also growing with our regular customers.

“During the last couple of years or so, it has had a few temporary managers.

“That's meant it hasn't been buzzing as much lately, so I want to build up more trade, create more stability, and bring it back to life.

“I have taken the pub on on a long-term contract, and that will see me invest my own money which the pub hasn't had recently.

“While I still lease the building, I have put down a deposit to show my commitment to it.

“It used to have a great reputation and be really popular, so I want to show how much of the enormous potential it has.

“I want a pub which is the beating heart of the community, and that's what the Beauty will be – people need to feel like they are part of the area.”

Miss Drury says timing has been key in her decision to take up the tavern's reins.

Six years after calling it a day just two miles away at the New Inn, she says the opportunity to take over Beauty of Bath was too good to turn down.

With some added help from her daughter, Leah, she says it has left her eager to bring some new ideas to life.

She explained: "I left the trade in 2017 and since then have been working in housing.

"I thought about getting another pub shortly after that, but then the pandemic hit.

"So I suppose in a way I dodged a bullet and that's why I feel now is the right time to take on something new."

She continued: "I have lots of ideas for things such as bottomless brunches, afternoon tea and murder mystery nights.

"The pub has a beautiful garden and Stonegate is hoping to do an outside refurbishment in about January time which will make it even more attractive.

"I'm going to create a sports bar as well, and host live music.

"It will be a typical pub grub menu, with barbecue and Sunday lunch options, plus some themed-food nights.

"Of course at the moment I'm spending the next few weeks getting the kitchen up and running, and ironing out all the last details.”

The watering hole, owned by the UK's biggest pub chain, Stonegate, opened for the first time under her watch on Friday, October 13 with a DJ and karaoke – something Miss Drury hopes to continue once a fortnight.