A pub in Kent has managed to open for customers despite a car crashing into its front in the early hours of Saturday, the landlord said. The Swan Inn at Little Chart, near Ashford, was hit by a vehicle at around 2am, just hours before it was due to reopen for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.
Landlord Ray Perkins said he was woken by the devastation but, with help from the community, managed to clear up and serve drinks outside. 'It was absolutely devastating because obviously we were opening today,' he said. 'We've had everybody rally round and clear up the bar, every single glass has had to be washed again. We've got open, we've managed to open the pub – not inside, only outside.'
Perkins said he was 'absolutely gutted' and 'exhausted' but determined not to let down the 200 people booked to eat and drink outside. 'At 2am they basically nearly destroyed today for us, but that's life. We just didn't want to let anyone down,' he added.
Kent police said they were called to the scene shortly before 2.25am alongside paramedics and the fire service. Three 17-year-old boys inside the car were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. One has been arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and drink driving, and remains in custody.
Pubs across England have been allowed to reopen from Saturday as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were relaxed, along with restaurants, bars and cinemas for the first time in three months. Pubs in Wales and Scotland remain closed until later this month, while those in Northern Ireland reopened on Friday.
