Advertisement

Landlord vows to reopen despite car smashing through pub hours before ‘Super Saturday’

Ray Perkins, Landlord of The Swan Inn in Ashford, Kent, looks at the damage to his pub after a car crashed into the pub during the early hours of this morning wrecking their plans for reopening as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased across England.
Ray Perkins, Landlord of The Swan Inn in Ashford, Kent, looks at the damage to his pub (Picture: PA)

A landlord vowed to open on “Super Saturday” despite a car smashing through his pub hours before lockdown restrictions were eased.

Ray Perkins said he was devastated when he discovered a vehicle had wrecked the side of The Swan Inn, in Little Chart, Ashford, Kent.

Like many other pub landlords, he had preparing to reopen on Saturday after they were forced to close in May due to COVID-19.

Perkins said he was asleep upstairs when he was awoken by the crash at 2am.

He told Kent Online: “We weren't hurt but with all the dust the smoke alarms were going off. It was a shock. We are very upset; the pub has a huge gaping hole in it.

“We're now trying to work out if we can still open. We had 200 people booked to come into the garden today.”

A view of scene outside The Swan Inn in Ashford, Kent, after a car crashed into the pub during the early hours of this morning wrecking their plans for reopening as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased across England.
A view of scene outside The Swan Inn in Ashford, Kent (Picture: PA)

Perkins added they were waiting for structural engineers to visit to let them know if reopening was possible.

Pub staff lateadded on Facebook they hoped to welcome visitors at midday.

In an earlier post, the Swan said: “So 2am this morning the beautiful Swan was destroyed.

“Angry, devastated doesn’t describe it! Can’t go in as structure is now unsound.”

Police confirmed three 17-year-olds were in the car and were taken to hospital after suffering minor injuries.

One of the teenagers was later arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and drink driving. He remains in custody.

A view of scene outside The Swan Inn in Ashford, Kent, after a car crashed into the pub during the early hours of this morning wrecking their plans for reopening as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased across England.
The pub was due to open on Saturday (Picture: PA)

A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 2.24am on July 4 to a report of a car colliding with a pub in The Street, Little Chart, Ashford.

“Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

“Three 17-year-old boys, who were inside the vehicle, were taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries before being discharged.

“One of these teenagers has been arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and drink driving. He remains in custody at this time.”

Coronavirus: what happened today

Read more about COVID-19

How to get a coronavirus test if you have symptoms

How easing of lockdown rules affects you

In pictures: How UK school classrooms could look in new normal

How public transport could look after lockdown

How our public spaces will change in the future

Help and advice

Read the full list of official FAQs here

10 tips from the NHS to help deal with anxiety

What to do if you think you have symptoms

How to get help if you've been furloughed