Posted: 1st March 2018
£1 MILLION REFURBISHMENT FOR THE SPITFIRE PUB
Work is to begin next month on a £1 million refurbishment of The Spitfire in Kings Hill, West Malling.
The contemporary pub was built in 1999 on a former Battle of Britain RAF base, and that heroic history was the inspiration for its name, which is shared by the brewery’s signature range of Spitfire Kentish Ale, Spitfire Gold and Spitfire Lager.
It has also influenced the plans for the pub’s new signage, which will involve painting the profile of a Spitfire on the exterior of the building, and adding a hand-painted swing sign featuring the classic aircraft.
Inside, the pub’s ground floor, which is currently one space, will be divided into three separate dining areas around a new central bar. Stylish new décor will be introduced throughout, and new bifold doors installed leading to the pub’s garden, to create the impression of bringing the outside in, with a more seamless flow. The kitchen is also being completely refitted.
The first floor, which is currently another dining and drinking area for customers, will be turned into a function room with its own bar, which can accommodate up to 100 people. It will be completely refurbished, along with the current smaller function rooms on the first floor and second floors, which can both accommodate up to 20.
Outside, a new awning will be installed at the front of the pub, covering a new dining area seating 16 people. A new covered dining terrace will also be built in the garden, which can seat up to 40.
Nigel Bunting, director of retail and tenanted operations, said:
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the RAF, so we seem to have chosen a fitting time to reinvigorate this popular pub. We would like to thank our customers for their patience during the closure, and hope they will agree it was worth the wait when the new-look Spitfire opens in a couple of months.”
The Spitfire will be shut from Monday, March 5, and is expected to reopen at the end of April.
