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A landlord has unveiled his pub’s unique new look following a major renovation.
Tyson Marshall runs The Foresters Arms in Quarry Hill, Tonbridge, and has spent the past seven years turning the boozer into a feast for all the senses.
Umbrellas on the ceilings, retro posters and adverts covering the walls, and doors with the likes of Han Solo frozen in carbonite on them give the punters at the Shepherd Neame pub something to look at while they drink.
The outside has recently had a revamp too, with a secluded seating area at the front, while at the back, guests can step through a Tardis door into a covered courtyard garden which has been refreshed with olive and palm trees.
Inside, there’s a host of pub games downstairs, including darts, a pool table and bar billiards table, while upstairs there is a 14ft shuffleboard table and an ice hockey table.
Tyson said: “Primarily it’s all for me really – I love pub games and bar sports. It’s all great fun.”
The licensee kicked off his hospitality career when he was 20 and although he is originally from Australia he said he fully embraces the British love of the pub.
“I love pubs in England – I think they are the Premier League of pubs in the world,” the 48-year-old said.
“It’s the passion people have for their pub that really amazes me.
“The camaraderie and friendships I see forged over the bar fill me with joy and really get to the heart of what I think an English pub is all about.
“It’s incredibly rewarding for me to see our regulars enjoy the pub and to see new people discover us for the first time.”
The pub specialises in freshly-cooked pizzas – Fozzie’s Pizzas which can also be ordered for takeaway.
And besides the range of award-winning Shepherd Neame beers and ales, there is a new cocktail menu at the bar, with 100 options.
Describing the transformation, Tyson said: “While the pub has improved dramatically over the years, day to day, there’s no time to really think about that.
“My focus is to keep this little world of curiosity evolving and keep the smiles on my staff and punters’ faces.”