Two retiring Faversham licensees say they will miss there always being someone to talk to — “no matter what side of the bar you’re on”.
David and Suzanne Pott outside the Market Inn, Faversham
David and Suzanne Pott took over the Market Inn, in East Street, Faversham, on 1st September, 2005, and never wanted to leave. But now retirement beckons.
David, 69, and Suzanne, 64, hand over the keys of the pub today, but with heavy hearts. “It is a lifestyle and we have thoroughly enjoyed it over the years,” said Suzanne.
“There’s never been a reason to leave. There are times when you’ve had enough, but it is a good pub. But it is time to retire now. We will definitely miss it.”
David added: “I will miss the social side. No matter what side of the bar you’re on, there’s always someone to talk to.
“We used to open at 10.30am and there was a queue outside the door to get in! It is also quite nice standing and looking out from the bar. It’s a nice view.”
The pub has, and will continue to be, a haven for social get-togethers, from bat and trap games (there is a well-used pitch in the back garden) to local bands performing live, and a range of clubs with something for everyone.
David and Suzanne receiving an outstanding contribution award from Jonathan Neame earlier this year
The social club was started back in 1962 and still holds monthly events, raising funds for charity, as does the men-only Winkle Club. It also hosts the Faversham Blind Club’s fortnightly meetings.
It has been a haven for live music since the couple had a stage put in, and another outside. Starting small, they now have a strong music following.
Fame on the small screen came in 2011 in the shape of four days of filming for gritty Channel 4 thriller Southcliffe, while the pub also made its mark on history by revealing an early Anglo Saxon site in the beer garden in 2019.
Charity fundraising included collecting enough for four sponsored Guide Dog puppies, while awards have ranged from Faversham in Bloom wins for their hanging baskets, to being named Shepherd Neame’s community pub of the year in 2009.
The couple, who also ran The Beaver Inn, in Ashford, for two years before coming to Faversham, plan to move to Spain for their retirement.
Greg Wallis, director of tenanted pub operations at owner Shepherd Neame, said: “David and Suzanne have been hard-working licensees for us for many years, and this was recognised at our annual awards ceremony in May, when they received an outstanding contribution award. We wish them a very happy retirement.”
They will be handing over the reins to Tim and Lacey Stowell, who are already Shepherd Neame licensees at The Bear, in Market Place, Faversham, and plan to run both.
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