They say you should never go back and generally I stick to the rule but the changes made to the John Brunt VC in Paddock Wood have been so major I decided to make an exception.

It’s been more than five years since I visited and last time even the landlord himself described it as ‘a right ****hole’ – the month after my visit it closed for a complete refurb.

Heineken (UK) reportedly spent close to half a million gutting the place and it certainly looks a completely different beast to the last time I was in.

The only bitter available was John Smith’s, so I thought I should give it a go and found a table with a plastic rose in a jar of blue stones in the centre of the bar. The makeover must have included four new TV screens and two were visible from where I was sitting, although one was on the blink, which was no loss as they were just showing ads on repeat and I didn’t need a carpenter, a plumber, a plasterer or a spa pool.

I covered this pub’s fascinating history and the fact it’s the only pub honouring a recipient of a Victoria Cross in my review in 2019, so I won’t repeat it again but I’m glad the name has been retained. See the review here

The pub now is certainly airier, cleaner, sweeter-smelling, lighter and, on top of that, the barmaid actually took the time to wipe down the tables. Food is now also on offer, or at least it should be, but unfortunately on the day I was in there had been ‘issues’ and the kitchen had closed early, which led to several customers turning on their heels at the bar and retracing their steps before even ordering a drink.

As well as the addition of trendy lightbulbs, new furniture, stripped floorboards and French doors, there’s a big fruit machine and new glass porch area for the side/front door.

There was background music playing at a sensible level and Staying Alive was followed by Duran Duran – last time I visited it was the Beautiful South and Eddy Grant so I’m not sure improvement can be claimed here?

The gents too, though clearly made-over considerably, still have serious issues, it’s as tight as ever and only one, of the two urinals, can be used at any one time. Also, a leaking pipe meant the floor was covered in urine and the smell was eye-wateringly powerful.

There was only one barmaid on duty but that was plenty and she still found time for cleaning and tidying up. She also had a few moments to explain there have been several landlords since Heineken did the pub up and ‘Covid saw off the first one’.

At this point, we had a feline visitor and the barmaid explained her boss had rescued it and that it, like the two rescued dogs, often makes an appearance in the bar to take a look around.

There used to be a pool table but that has long gone, along with the dartboards and if you’re looking for a game now it’ll need to be the board variety, which you’ll find on the shelves, although there is a quiz night each Tuesday at 7.30pm.

I’m delighted to report that all the original tributes to the famous Paddock Wood Victoria Cross recipient have been retained and the great old picture of John Brunt sits proudly under a wreath of poppies.

It wasn’t too clear which door is at the front as the pub’s address is Church Road but the front door, complete with its new porch, seems to be at the side on Old Kent Road.

I’m therefore not sure whether the outside area is at the back or the side of the pub but it’s certainly extensive with a good-sized undercover patio and plenty of picnic tables spread across the grassed area. A steady flow of smokers wafted in and out through the French doors on a regular basis.

I previously described this place as looking like a corner of Eastern Europe where you’d wipe your feet on the way out and I have to accept there have been massive steps forward – therefore, the majority of folk will prefer it, right?

Surely you’d have to be crazy to prefer the dark, dingy, grungy, rough and ready previous incarnation but I can’t help feeling it was a proper old boozer with devoted punters, which has sadly been lost forever.

However, I will be the first to admit it couldn’t possibly have survived as it was and Heineken’s investment means Paddock Wood is still lucky enough to have a second pub that will hopefully continue to thrive for years to come.

THE JOHN BRUNT VC, 24 CHURCH ROAD, PADDOCK WOOD, TONBRIDGE TN12 6HB

Décor: Obviously a world apart from the original incarnation I visited half a decade ago and it’s definitely airier, lighter and cleaner. Any right-minded person would appreciate the huge improvement but I miss the old dark place. ***

Drink: There was a reasonable selection of drinks available but sadly, this is yet another public house that doesn’t find it possible to provide customers with a decent choice of ales. **

Price: The John Smith’s was sensibly priced at £4.25 but the trendier draught lagers were considerably more expensive and a pint of Cruzcampo would cost you £6.35. ***

Staff: There was only one barmaid on duty but that was more than enough and whenever she wasn’t serving, she kept herself busy with cleaning and tidying. ***

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