The Eagle in Maidstone is set to reopen on Saturday 4th February following an investment of over £100,000 from leading community pub company, Admiral Taverns. This investment has enabled the licensees, passionate husband and wife duo Gary and Claire Banfield, to give the pub a fresh new look and feel throughout to ensure it remains an active social hub for the community.
Thanks to the investment, The Eagle has undergone a major transformation both inside and outside for residents to enjoy. Externally, the pub has been painted a vibrant ocean green and cream white, as well as being equipped with brand new lighting and signage to welcome customers back. Customers can also look forward to sunnier times in the pub’s outside area, newly equipped with brand new furniture.
Inside, The Eagle seats up to 40 people and will feature an updated look, whilst paying homage to its traditional roots. The pub has been fitted with brand new wooden furniture throughout as well as a games room with a state-of-the-art pool table and dart boards. A new TV area has also been installed with both Sky and BT Sports so visitors can watch their favourite teams play.
Licensees Gary and Claire both grew up in Maidstone and are extremely well acquainted with the local area and its residents. The couple arrived in 2021 from a pub just around the corner and have over eight years’ experience running traditional pubs. Since coming to The Eagle they have worked hard alongside Bar Manager, Sam Humphries, to ensure it’s an integral part of the community and a place where all feel welcome.
Gary Banfield, Licensee at The Eagle, said: “We are thrilled to be reopening The Eagle and unveiling its new look to our family, friends and the Maidstone community who have all been such huge parts of mine and Claire’s life. We’re delighted with the result and can’t wait to give our customers their local pub back. We have some great plans in the pipeline and look forward to seeing what the future holds.”
The traditional community pub will offer a good selection of drinks including premium draught beers, real ales and ciders including Fosters, Coors, Madri, Stella Artois, Guinness, Atlantic Pale Ale, Aspalls, and Strongbow Dark Fruits. For those wanting something a little lighter there will also be a wide array of wines and spirits. Moving forward, the licensees are hoping to introduce a small bar snack menu at the weekends for customers to indulge in when coming to watch a match.
Gary and Claire also love to run community events, so have exciting plans to put on plenty of entertainment for customers. The Eagle will host friendly darts and pool matches, monthly quiz nights and are looking to introduce monthly musical bingo evenings and karaoke if there is a high demand. In addition to this, they are also keen to start raising money for local charity the Kent Association for The Blind – Social Groups through quizzes and raffles.
Business Development Manager at Admiral Taverns, Paul Gornall, commented: “Gary and Claire are such enthusiastic, dedicated licensees which they have demonstrated over the last year and specifically throughout this process. I’m confident that their impressive experience in the hospitality industry, combined with their passion for people will see the pub become an integral part of the community. We wish them every success for what’s to come!”
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