Customers are returning to a town centre pub after a £224,000 revamp.

The Vineyard, in West Street, Sittingbourne, has been closed for renovations for almost two weeks while it underwent the makeover.

It shut on Monday, July 22, during what is a quieter time during the summer holidays and break between the Premier League football seasons.

Reopening yesterday, the pub, which is owned and managed by the Stonegate Group, is now the “shiny new business” in the town, according to area manager Adam Stothart.

He added: “It’s a full refurbishment which went without any hitches and it’s great to see how it all looks after spending a good chunk of money.

“We had to update it as the last time we did was around eight-and-a-half years ago.

“We also wanted to have this work done because the drinking habits of people have changed, especially 18-22-year-olds.

“That age group tend to go out for events and experiences now and we need to attract them. These renovations are part of that.”

There are seven new TVs in the pub, four of which are in the booths which can be booked.

These TVs are not connected to each other meaning punters can watch different programmes at the same time.

The interior has been revamped with new decor and has had a fresh lick of paint.

Meanwhile, the exterior of the building has also received a paint job as well as new signage.

The staff are the same as before but five new job positions have been created.

One regular customer, Barry Steers of Hawthorn Road, jokes that when the pub closed he was so “desperate” for a pint he “had to go to Wetherspoon’s”.

“It was like being in the pandemic again,” he added, “I did miss it.”

The 78-year-old gave his thumbs up to the revamp and said he was “very happy” to see the pub reopen.