It’s a return to the Shepherd Neame fold for the new general manager at Britain’s first 21st century thatched pub, the Manor Farm Barn, in Southfleet.
Lauren Weight, behind the bar at the Manor Farm Barn. Photograph: Countrywide Photographic
Lauren Weight, 37, last worked for the Faversham-based brewer while running Pier Five, in Chatham Maritime, for five years, She then left to spend a year working for pub chain Marston’s.
“I wanted to come back to Shepherd Neame,” she said. “I missed how Shepherd Neame did things. You feel like a part of something, like a little family, being part of this company.
“I came and looked at the Manor Farm Barn and saw lots of potential. I’m looking forward to the challenge — I like doing different things.”
Medway-born Lauren took on running the Southfleet barn pub just before Christmas. One of her first moves was to welcome Chris Reeder as the new head chef, after he had overseen the kitchen temporarily at Christmas.
The Manor Farm Barn was originally an 18th century barn. It was lrestored in 2001. Its thatched roof was refreshed in 2022, and sports a pair of doves at the top of its ridge, which can be seen by passing motorists.
