The Somerhill - an update, of sorts

Just a quick update on the continuing speculation concerning the Somerhill pub in Pembury Road, Tonbridge. Prior to going on holiday, I wrote about renovation work taking place at the long-term closed pub, which has had quite a checkered history over the past decade or so. Following my return to the UK, further news has come to light, although those hungry for news, of for more details of what is going on at the pub, are likely to remain disappointed. 

We have a relatively recent, online news site, called the "Tonbridge Bean", that has started up in the town, and amongst many other items of local interest, I was banking on an update regarding the Somerhill. There wasn’t much, that I didn’t already know, and you can read what little there was, shortly. In the meantime, I signed up to the news site because, like many local residents, I’m interested in what is going on in our town.

So, according to Tonbridge Bean, the Somerhill is now being refurbished, with the new team aiming to bring a renewed energy and atmosphere to the venue. This was apparent after driving past the building, last week, when I couldn’t help but notice, the quite striking change in colour of the exterior of the pub. The rather drab-looking, cream exterior has been painted a rather vivid green, that is certainly eye-catching, although according to Mrs PBT’s knowledge of such matters, green is not a lucky colour!

Leaving such superstitions aside, I think the new colour scheme is a considerable improvement, and in the interest of bringing local pub stories to my readers I took a stroll down to the Somerhill this afternoon. Apart from the change in colour, there wasn’t much happening, but it was Saturday afternoon, a day plus a time, not normally favoured by the construction trade for carrying out building work. But what of the Somerhill’s future? The exact details of the reopening, and the new features are still under wraps, but according to Tonbridge Bean, the current work promises a fresh, modern interior while hopefully retaining some of the pub’s historic local character.

None of this confirms, or even counters the rumours I heard, back in the summer, but as they are just that – rumours, they will stay under wraps, until such time that the new owner(s) wishes to make them public. The Somerhill is only 15 minutes’ walk from Bailey Towers, and as I wrote just a few weeks ago, I look forward to seeing the pub reopening and to stepping through the doors of a refurbished and potentially repurposed pub.