00:00Pubs in 2026 are struggling, between rising business rates, energy bills and inflation.
00:06And for the lion in the small village of Lodsdown, just outside of Medway, it was the same story.
00:11A small village pub, fighting to keep pouring pints for their regulars.
00:15The building had been there since the 17th century, before they were bought by Silverhand
00:19Estates, a vineyard and farm, who started to rebuild the site, but didn't want the locals
00:24to lose the community they had built up over the years.
00:26So we're involving our locals with everything that's going on with our build and with our
00:31plans.
00:32So we currently have a small pop-up pub located on site, which actually has been doing fantastically
00:38well.
00:38So we're able to see our locals every single day and communicate with updates as they are
00:44happening.
00:44And so we're able to take their feedback of, you know, the comfy chairs, the comfy stools,
00:49what do they want to see there.
00:51They'll even be hosting a soft opening, allowing regulars to visit the finished build before
00:55anyone else, so they can get their perspective on the pub.
00:58We've seen bars and pubs being bought out by the community or local businesses, but could
01:03a new type of pub owner be the way of the future?
01:06Now we all know about farm shops and Silverhand Estates are no different selling their wine
01:11and other products that they get from their farms.
01:13But with the acquisition of the Lion and their new rebuild, could we see an emerging trend
01:18of the farm-owned pub?
01:20Oh, well, why not?
01:22I mean, Jeremy Clarkson's done it, hasn't he, with Farmer's Dog?
01:26So yes, I think so.
01:28I think pubs are such a central part to a lot of people just in terms of a meeting space,
01:33whether it's your local darts team or wanting to just go out with family at the weekend
01:38and have a really great meal.
01:40So having the Lion as part of the Silverhand Estate was so important to us, but also to
01:49retain its own identity as well.
01:52It's been here long before we were here and it will continue, I'm sure, for many, many
01:58years to come alongside the estate.
02:00The Lion is set to reopen fully towards the end of July and the pop-up will pop back down.
02:05By keeping the Lion alive, it's not just making sure people can enjoy their pint, but
02:09also a darts league debate table and a community for the small countryside village, one that's
02:14been there for more than 300 years.
02:16And now we'll continue into the future.
02:19Finn McDermid for KMTV in Luddstown.
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