The Duke of Cumberland reopens after £1.8m refurb

Shepherd Neame’s pub with rooms, The Duke of Cumberland, has officially opened its doors after undergoing a £1.8m refurb. A nautical theme marked the official launch event of the coastal pub on 12 September. Dating back to 1867, Shepherd Neame has owned the Duke of Cumberland since 1898. The pub building has been completely refurbished, with care taken to retain and restore its original features, which include a Grade II Listed bar. The 14-week renovation was completed to the “highest standard” and features wood and leather complemented by a “beach-inspired” colour palette in recognition of its seaside location. There are now eight boutique bedrooms, each featuring its “own distinctive style and character”. Since Whitstable has long been famous for its oysters, each of the rooms is named after an historic oyster fishing vessel, known as a ‘yawl’ or ‘smack’, built in the town. Additionally, with the refurbishment of the bar and dining room, the pub’s courtyard garden has had a spacious new decking area installed along with an outside kitchen. A new external function room, The Boatyard, has also been created in the courtyard, which has its own bar and is available for private events. The pub was previously renowned for its live music events, and general manager Tina Kennedy plans to retain that tradition with regular jazz and swing nights, along with sunset acoustic evenings. Volunteers from Whitstable RNLI and Whitstable Coastwatch turned out in force to celebrate the reopening of the town centre pub. To mark the occasion, both organisations received donations of £1,000 from Shepherd Neame’s chief executive, Jonathan Neame, while the first pint was pulled by Visit Kent’s chief executive officer, Deidre Wells OBE. They were also able to sample the new menu, which is prepared daily, using seasonal local produce and includes freshly caught seafood, with dishes such as whole grilled lemon sole served with seaweed butter, samphire and buttered Nichola potatoes, along with the classic Whitstable Bay beer battered haddock and chips served with pea purée. The menu is topped off with an extensive range of drinks, from Shepherd Neame’s award-winning range of craft ales and lagers to a selection of acclaimed English wines, along with premium Kentish spirits and cocktails. Neame said: “The Duke of Cumberland has been part of our estate for almost its whole life – more than 120 years - and is a treasured jewel in our coastal crown, so it was essential for us to ensure that this refurbishment preserved its unique heritage while also invigorating it with a contemporary feel. “We are proud to be part of Whitstable’s thriving community and hope that the impressive work that has been carried out here will ensure The Duke of Cumberland continues to serve customers for the next century and beyond.” Wells added: “I would like to thank Shepherd Neame for making our job at Visit Kent a lot easier because this really isn’t going to be a hard sell! Shepherd Neame’s investment in The Duke of Cumberland is a real boost for our country's tourism industry. “The pub looks fantastic and I’m sure will prove hugely popular with customers, offering a unique place to drink, dine and stay in the heart of Whitstable. Shepherd Neame is one of Kent’s oldest independent family businesses, and it is great to see that family ethos on show at The Duke of Cumberland, with a real team spirit that is essential to a great hospitality business.”