A high street restaurant and bar has reopened following an £80,000 makeover.
The new owner of The Hengist, in Aylesford, Kieron Khory-Davinson has completely refurbished the 16th-century property while keeping its historical features to bring it back to life.
The 37-year-old said: “We could have just opened it straight away but it was dingy, old and tired.
“It was very dated and 10 years ago it may have been in fashion but we wanted to make it more modern while keeping the original features.
“I wanted to bring life back into the building. I want people to walk in and have that surprise and excitement.”
He took the building on in April after it closed down at the end of last year and has ripped up the carpets, given it a fresh lick of paint and added some quirky decor such as zebra and flamingo heads.
He has also created a feature flower wall and “rainforest room” to make the restaurant “Instagrammable”.
The Hengist still serves high-quality food but has also introduced a theatrical cocktail menu with drinks presented in glasses such as a red phone box and hot air balloon.
Kieron, who also owns a dog walking business, believes the quirky nature decor and cocktails will help “bring people through the door.”
He added: “I normally go to London for theatrical, fancier cocktails but I wanted to bring that to Aylesford.
“You do not need to travel for those smokey, dry-ice drinks. I wanted to create a place where people can have that London feel on their doorstep.”
Some recipes include the Lucky Ducky which comes in a smokey bubble bathtub, The Horsa which comes in a goblet and Love Birds which is presented in a bird cage.
The restaurant and bar, in the High Street, hosted a soft launch for villagers last weekend with around 150 guests.
Kieron, who was once a manager at the venue, said: “Everyone was really supportive, I think people want us to do well.
“We did come into a business which had upset the village but we want to change that. We want to be good neighbours and succeed.
“I want people to give us a chance knowing we love the building. It has always been my dream to own it.
“We are here for the long run and want to make it work.”
The establishment closed its doors last year and former owners, David House, who was battling cancer, and his wife Jessica, said it was a hard decision to make.
However, the pair faced criticism for not paying their staff on time with several employees claiming they were owed thousands of pounds in wages, dating back to December.
At the time, they told KentOnline they were doing everything they could to ensure people got paid as soon as possible.
The Hengist was one of four premises under the same ownership alongside The Walnut Tree in Yalding, The Amherst Inn in Sevenoaks, and The Chequers Inn – which is also in Aylesford.
The Chequers Inn and Amherst Inn have since closed down after David, 52, died on February 9, following his battle with cancer.
Kieron has no connection with the previous owners.
