More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The opening party for Kent's newest pub pulled in a crowd of 2,000 guests.
Celebrations were in full swing for the grand opening of the Pig & Sty in Bethersden on Saturday and a minibus was laid on to ferry pub goers to and from their cars parked in a field a mile from the Ashford Road venue.
Last month KentOnline was given an exclusive look around the venue.
It's the ninth in the Elite Chain that also includes The Herbalist, which opened last May in Maidstone town centre, together with a late-night cocktail and music venue, Junipers.
Owner, Frenchman Martial Chaussy. said: "There was such an amazing response to the Pig & Sty opening.
"The atmosphere was very friendly with kids running around and enjoying themselves. Everyone was very happy to be there.
"People even brought their own blankets to sit on the floor and have a picnic.
"A lot of people knew each other and were talking so it was a bit like a village fete."
The businessman has splashed out £1.1 million to turn the site back into pub after it became Indian restaurant the Mumbai Gate.
His mother Monique Chaussy, 82, cut the ribbon together with Ashford deputy mayor Cllr John Link.
Formerly the Royal Standard the last pint was pulled at the venue around 10 years ago and Martial said: "People said they absolutely loved the fact that the building had been turned back into a pub."
A bespoke private dining room has been given a rocking horse theme by the Stevenson Brothers of Bethersden, which was admired by guests, said Martial.
Featuring open fires, rustic flooring and exposed brickwork the Pig & Sty aims to offer traditional appeal with a modern twist.
It has a huge dining room offering 120 covers where guests can see their pizzas being made in a wood-burning oven; a covered outside terrace area with a burger shack and a children's play area.
