A well-known pub has been taken over by an established eatery owner who aims to bring “love and community” back to the venue.

Topel Raif, from Meopham, is now the new landlord of the Dover Castle Inn in Teynham.

The 36-year-old has already launched a new menu, which he describes as “traditional with a modern twist”.

Dishes include spitfire cod and chips, pan-roasted duck breast, curried beef short rib, burgers, Sunday roast and a range of desserts.

“I'm looking to incorporate some live entertainment on the weekends,” Topel explained.

“We're going to start a curry and quiz night, as well as a jazz and wine night. We're also going to restart the darts team.

“I'm going to try to keep the community involved in what we're doing."

He added: “I had to put a whole new kitchen and menu together in the space of two weeks.

“It was hard work, but we did it.”

Topel also has further plans to regenerate the garden at the rear of the pub and make it more child-friendly.

The old coaching inn, which is owned by brewery-giant Shepherd Neame, has been serving punters on the A2 between Sittingbourne and Faversham since the 1640s.

Over the years, it has been passed between a number of landlords.

Phil Clements took on the venue in September 1994, alongside Paul Gunner and James Roberts.

After nearly 20 years, they called time in January 2014 and had one last send-off.

Day-to-day running of the pub was then handed to Phil Hope and his partner, Rebecca.

It was then taken over by Kelly Tompkins and her partner Stuart George in 2017, however, they gave it up in 2023 to focus on running the bar at the Tudor Rose in Borden full-time.

By March 2024, customers welcomed back Mr George as landlord once more.

Topel said: “The locals have been very welcoming towards me. I think the whole village is excited for the changes that I'm bringing.

“It's a loved pub, but I think it needs more love.

“I'm very excited for this new journey. I've never owned a pub before, so this is a new venture for me.”

Originally from Blackfen, Topel moved to Meopham in 2020.

He has been a part of the hospitality industry for the last 11 years and runs the Turkish restaurant M Kitchen in Broadway, Bexleyheath.

The dad also has a cafe called Romie’s Brasserie in Mill Row, Bexley, which is named after his one-year-old son.

Despite the cost of running a business increasing, Topel is confident that the pub is heading in the right direction.

“There’s pressure, but I see potential in this site,” he said.

“It's just been a hard couple of years for this industry; some things have doubled.

“For example, a bag of charcoal in my restaurant used to be £11, but it's now £27.

“A customer doesn't see that item, but we use 12 bags of them a week.

“However, it's a beautiful venue and we have some exciting plans coming.”

The Dover Castle Inn is open Monday-Thursday, from 12pm to 10.30pm, Friday-Saturday, from 12pm to 11pm, and Sunday, from 12pm to 9pm.