IMPORTANT UPDATE JULY 2026

Almost five years to the day after our beloved pub was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire, we're delighted to share that the land is now owned by the community.

The ACV proved to be invaluable. Although our first community bid wasn't successful and the site was sold to a local developer, the ACV meant the land couldn't simply become housing. The developer had planned to rebuild the pub, but rising construction costs, increasing food and wage costs, and the changing hospitality landscape meant the project was no longer viable. When the site returned to the market, we had another chance.

We submitted a new community bid, which was selected as the preferred offer and approved by the Stonegate Board. Thanks to the incredible support of our investor—a true philanthropist whose only wish is to see The Green Man rebuilt for the benefit of the community—the purchase is now complete.

Today, the site is bare land, as the fire-damaged building had to be demolished for safety reasons. But while the pub may be gone, the dream is very much alive.

We're now moving into the next exciting phase: developing our plans, raising funds, and bringing together the skills, experience and enthusiasm of our community to make this vision a reality.

If you'd like to be involved, whether by volunteering, offering professional expertise, or supporting us financially, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at greenmanrecovery@gmail.com.

We know there's still a long road ahead, but with the continued support of our local community and everyone who believes in what we're trying to achieve, we're confident that The Green Man will once again become the heart of our village.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. I'll be back at the beginning of September with another update on our progress.

 

 

 

 

 

The Green Man pub, Hodsoll Street nr Meopham has been the beating heart of our small community for many generations. Sitting on a small green surrounded by old timber clad and flintstone buildings being quintessentially Kent at its best.  Built in 1884, a thriving country pub selling good food and beer but most of all being the meeting place for locals and vistors to enjoy precious time together. On Thursday 17th June 2021, in the early morning a fire swept through the pub and burnt it to the ground. The shocking reality hit us all. What were we to do without the pub that has been there for so many years? There was an immediete response from the community of what could we all do to bring back our pub. This is the reason for this petition. We are looking to get it declared as a Community Asset. This will help us re create the pub once again. Build it back for the villagers and once again bring the heart back to our small but vibrant community.