A Helping Hand at The Anchor

Shepherd Neame’s pub partnership programme proves a welcome helping hand to the experienced licensees at The Anchor in Faversham

Even experienced licensees can use an extra helping hand from time to time, and for the current tenants at the brewer’s 300-year-old Anchor pub in Faversham, that came in the form of Shepherd Neame’s Partnership Tenancy Agreement.

Paige Stubbington and Mark Revell have been running the 18th century inn in Abbey Street for three years - and also ran three pubs between them before that - but when they were approached to switch from a standard tenancy to a partnership, they jumped at the chance.

Similar to a traditional tenancy agreement, the programme offers hands-on assistance with all areas, from navigating utility bills and ordering beer, to marketing support, website guidance and ongoing operational advice. Above all, it provides tenants with experienced support whenever challenges arise.

For them, there was the added attraction of working with Head of Tenanted Business Partnerships, Dan Sidders, who they had worked with before.

“He’s really good at what he does,” said Mark of Dan, who was himself a multi site licensee for the Brewer previously. “We have got years of experience between us, but it is still good to learn and drive our business forward.

“Being in a partnership with the Brewery has alleviated some of the pressure. Having a familiar face alongside you is great too – if Dan doesn’t know the answer, he’ll find you the answer. As a tenant, you can’t know everything, so it really helps to have someone who has a bit more knowledge.”

As a result of signing up for the partnership, Shepherd Neame has also helped with the refurbishment of the pub’s kitchen, which was important to Mark and Paige, to

ensure they can provide the menu they want to give their customers, which includes a focus on local fish dishes. Leading the menu is their Head Chef Jordan Mallory, with Mark now working with him in the kitchen.

The Brewery also completed a matched investment with the couple to refurbish the garden and install new decking – in time for Faversham Hop Festival weekend which saw record breaking sales for the pub!

The couple divide up the business between them, each using their strengths, with two-year-old pub dog Zensa – named after Paige’s favourite wine by Todd’s The Wine Company of Shepherd Neame - keeping a watchful eye when he’s allowed.

Paige said: “We recently held a garden party, with live music, food and games, which was incredibly popular, and we had a massive turnout during the Pirate Festival.

“When you do stuff like that it makes it all worth it.”

To find out more about Shepherd Neame’s Partnership Tenancies visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk/run-pub/partnership-tenancies.

You can find The Anchor in Abbey Street, Faversham, ME13 7NP1, by calling 01795 720396 or visiting www.anchorfaversham.co.uk.