insideKENT Magazine Issue 97 - April 2020 | Page 79

FOOD+DRINK
THE WINDMILL HOLLINGBOURNE
JOINS HUSH HEATH INNS GROUP
Hush Heath Estate have
taken over The Windmill
Hollingbourne from the
Richard Phillips Group,
taking the opportunity to
thank Richard Phillips
personally, for his hard
work over the last 8 years
to make The Windmill
the success it is today.
Liam Chamberlain,
operations director for
Hush Heath says "We are
delighted to welcome The
Windmill to The Hush
Heath family, we are looking forward to working with the team onsite. The full staffing
team are moving over with us and will continue the fantastic menu and service which they
are known for.
“The Windmill will be joining the growing Hush Heath Inns group and will now benefit
from the connection with our award-winning winery, Balfour Hush Heath Estate, located
in Staplehurst Kent."
The Windmill will continue to honour the Dining Circle card membership discounts for
all current members along with any other current offers, discounts and vouchers.
£330,000 TRANSFORMATION FOR
HISTORIC RIVERSIDE PUB
Historic riverside pub
The Lord Nelson in
Dover has reopened
following a four month,
£330,000 transformation.
The Shepherd Neame site
boasts a unique location
next to the River Dour
with views up to Dover
Castle, and is also in a
prime position alongside
the new St James' Retail
and Leisure Park.
Dating back to 1805, care was taken during the renovation, which was overseen by new
licensee Chris Bichard, to retain the building’s historic features and character, while
introducing a stylish, contemporary feel.
Chris has taken on a new team including his brother Nigel, who is managing the site,
along with bar manager Rob Wilkie and head chef Samuel Jennings, who has created a
delicious new menu comprising traditional favourites such as homemade burgers and
wholetail scampi and chips, along with a selection of wraps, salads, sharing platters and
light bites. There is also a special Young VIP bar menu for children, and an afternoon tea
menu will be available soon.
Chris said: “Our aim is to create a friendly, relaxed bar with a great food and drink offer,
where everyone feels welcome.”
Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame said: “With the exciting regeneration
of Dover currently under way, we thought it was the perfect time to invest in bringing the
Lord Nelson back to life. Our team has done a great job bringing out the character and
personality of the building, and we are thrilled to welcome our new licensee Chris and his
family, who have a very clear vision for the site. We are confident that it will prove a popular
drinking and dining destination.”
KENT FARMERS MARKET
SCOOPS TOP
NATIONAL AWARD
The village of Shipbourne, Kent, is celebrating as its Farmers
Market has been announced as the winner of the country’s Best
Farmers Market in the prestigious awards organised by the
national Farm Retail Association (FRA).
The Farm Retail Awards are the only awards to be judged by
fellow farm retailers and celebrate the best farm shops,
cafés/restaurants, farmers’ markets, and trade suppliers.
And as if that wasn’t enough the top three finalists ALL came
from Kent, with markets from West Malling and Lenham
snapping at their heels.
The market only runs for two hours each Thursday morning (9-
11) but attracts a couple of hundred shoppers each week, buying
quality, local produce, from around 15-20 stallholders.
Bob Taylor, market manager and chair of the Kent Farmers
Market Association says “We are so proud to win this award
which reflects the dedication of all involved at Shipbourne but
also what a feather in the cap for the whole county by dominating
the Top 3!”
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