A newly-appointed general manager of a historic venue has decided to name her puppy after the establishment.

Victoria Ruffell has just taken on Shepherd Neame’s George Hotel in Cranbrook, and welcomed George the ‘pub pup’ within weeks of joining the team.

The 37-year-old said: “I started out in a little village with a friendly feel similar to Cranbrook, and when I first visited the George Hotel, it was like when you buy a house and you know it is for you as soon as you walk in.

"Cranbrook had the same villagey feel about it, and I knew the hotel was for me. I feel like I fit."

She added: “The George is an incredibly characterful venue with so much potential, but needed someone who was going to put a bit of ‘oomph’ into it.

"I want to do that – I get quite passionate about my sites! I have been in this trade for 23 years so I have run a wide variety of venues.

“I also wanted to feel loyalty to a brewery again and I am looking forward to getting to know all of the other Shepherd Neame pubs and hotels.”

The George traces its history back to 1300. Essex-born Victoria started in the hospitality industry at the age of 20, as assistant manager at the Bull Inn in Sonning-on-Thames.

She completed her management training within two years, ran four pubs for the Fuller, Smith and Turner pub group before taking a break during lockdown when she worked in hotels.

She then rejoined the brewing industry, and was welcomed into the Shepherd Neame fold last month.

Along with adopting puppy George – who will be a permanent fixture at the hotel – Victoria she says is enjoying immersing herself in community life and is looking forward to experiencing winter in the town.

She said: “I get quite excited about Christmas. I hear Cranbrook is very beautiful at that time of year.”