A Shepherd Neame licensee decided to snap up a second pub to run — the venue where she had her first date with her partner.
Georgina Paxton, who already runs The Hampton Inn, in Herne Bay, took on The Rose Inn, less than two miles away, after long-serving licensee Karen Hazell retired last month.
She could not resist taking on the Shepherd Neame town centre pub in Mortimer Street when it became available, as it had such a special place in her heart.
“I have always liked the pub — it is like a village pub in the middle of the town. It has got a nice little feeling to it. It is a proper old fashioned boozer,” said Georgina.
“My partner and I knew each other before we started dating, and on our first date nine years ago, we went for a wander up the town and ended up coming in here. He knew people here and so did I, and it’s a small pub, and so we basically had the date with the whole rest of the pub!”
Experienced licensee Georgina has been running The Hampton Inn nearby in Western Esplanade for the Faversham-based family brewer for seven years, and did also have The Divers Arms in Central Parade, another Shepherd Neame site, up until four years ago, so is no stranger to running two pubs simultaneously.
“The two pubs I have now are hugely different. They have a totally different clientele — I have 27 staff at the Hampton and can do 120 covers on some Sundays. While the Rose has four staff and does not do food.”
As she and partner Harvey spend part of the year at their home in Turkey, she also has a manager in place at both sites, with long-time colleague Katrina McGorrin taking the role at The Rose Inn.
