A mum with healing hands is set to become the boss of a historic village pub – and has “big plans” for shaping its future.
Sharan Bearman is taking over their local boozer, the Sir John Falstaff in Higham, between Gravesend and Strood.
Sharan Bearman is taking over the Sir John Falstaff
The 61-year-old has previous experience in the hospitality industry, having run a pub, bed and breakfast and tea room in the Peak District.
But after her daughter fell pregnant two decades ago, she moved down to Kent to support her, and has remained here since.
Sharan, who also runs a business as a Reiki practitioner – a person trained in a healing technique using gentle hand movements to promote relaxation – says she spontaneously snapped up the opportunity to run a pub again in July.
She told KentOnline: “The Sir John Falstaff is just across the road from my son and back in the day, I used to drink in there.
“There was lots of speculation that the previous landlord was leaving, so I called up the brewery, and they said it’s all true, and if I wanted to meet up.
“We met on the Wednesday the following week, and there were three people who were going for the tenancy.
“On the Friday, I called up again because I thought I wasn’t going to get it and they said ‘We’d like you to go in’.
“I think the universe was saying to me, this is your time – so I just did it.”
But it’s been a long journey with a lot of blood, sweat and tears being poured into the venue ahead of its soft launch over the weekend (September 12-13).
Much to her surprise, Sharan says when she first arrived, the entire place was empty, with no plates, cutlery or even glasses to be found.
Inside the pub in Higham
She said: “I’ve had to organise everything you could possibly think of – music management companies to fire extinguishers.
“The upstairs has also had a complete refurbishment – everything has been ripped out – and the downstairs toilets have been revamped.”
Sharan has a tenancy at will for three months with a view totaking it on for five years after.
While the bar and restaurant haven’t had any upgrades yet, she says she has “big plans” for them if they get the lease.
The mum-of-three says she is also making up menus and plans to serve up traditional pub grub from cottage pies, bangers and mash and fish and chips when the pub fully opens.
The pub will later serve up traditional pub grub
She added: “I just want the pub to be super family-orientated. There is going to be a little playground for the kids and a cosy area for couples.
“I’ve already had over 200 messages from people on social media wishing me well and sending me their ideas.
“It’s been really lovely. It’s really heartwarming – I’m just grateful for it all.”
The Sir John Falstaff will have its soft launch on Saturday (September 12) with limited opening hours.
It will operate between 12pm and 11pm on the weekend and between 4pm and 11pm Monday to Friday (September 14 to 18).
The pub will then fully open on Saturday, September 19.