From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By John Nurden, 28 May 2020.

How Sheppey and Sittingbourne firms have reacted to the coronavirus lockdown.

The way people shop has totally changed since the coronavirus lockdown.

But some businesses in Sittingbourne and on Sheppey have been quick to respond to the new needs.

Although pubs and restaurants were forced to close, some have adapted into takeaways.

 The Playa bar and restaurant at The Leas, Minster, has had to abandon plans to introduce a mobile bar to cater for visitors to the beach following complaints from neighbours. But it is now selling takeaway food from its front door.

Brother and sister Neil and Laura Moran at the Playa, Minster.

Laura Moran, who runs the venue with her brother Neil, said: "Concerns have been raised about the mobile bar attracting crowds of people to the beach from other parts of the county and therefore putting our residents at risk.

"For us, this was a way to claw back some of our lost trade. Being one of the very few businesses on the Island which did not qualify for the government grant it has been a real struggle to keep things ticking over.

"However, the people who keep us ticking over all year round are our local community and therefore we must listen and act on their concerns, as we have done since this pandemic began."

The pub is running an off-licence for pre-booked orders and a pre-booked takeaway food service but on Friday it launched a limited takeaway at its front door from noon for burgers and fish and chips.

Laura said: "The amount of orders we received at the weekend overwhelmed us. We are so grateful to everyone. It is pretty scary for us all but we are doing all we can to keep this business going. We are resilient, we adapt and have a huge passion for our trade. When we do open, we will have a few surprises up our sleeves for you all."

Staff have also been out helping to clean up litter left on The Leas.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Cara Simmonds, 16 January 2026.

The Playa pub at The Leas in Minster, on Sheppey, shuts due to ‘rising costs’

A pub has closed its doors to punters due to “rising costs”, an owner has confirmed.

Despite thousands of pounds being spent on a revamp, The Playa at The Leas in Minster is now shut after just over a year of trading.

The Playa pub at The Leas in Minster, Isle of Sheppey, is now closed. Picture: The Playa Minster-On-Sea.

It was run by Megan Peters, who was first given the keys in November 2024 and worked hard on renovations.

She and sister Lauren Topliffe, along with mum Cheryl Hilling and stepdad Barry Forster, who live in Sittingbourne, were all made co-owners of the pub.

They spent around £100,000 on a major makeover, which included a new kitchen, flooring, lights and furniture.

Megan previously worked as an assistant manager at the pub for two years and was told the tenants wanted to finish their lease early.

She then decided to ask her family to all chip in to help her take over and run it.

The family spent thousands of pounds on a revamp before it opened in November 2024. Picture: The Playa Minster-On-Sea.

At the time, Lauren told KentOnline: “She [the previous tenant] didn't want to give it up because she loved it so much.

“There's so much potential here as well, especially with the location of it.

“We just wanted to take it over with a fresh slate and try to get as many people in as possible and bring it back to life.”

It opened to the public at the end of November and was described as a “coastal gem”, serving British pub favourites, including roast dinners, fish and chips, and burgers.

However, on Sunday (January 11), Megan posted a message on her Facebook page.

Megan Peters, who ran front of house, confirmed the closure on her Facebook page. Picture: Lauren Topliffe.

She said: “As most of you all know, today is the day that we shut the doors to The Playa.

“It has been an amazing year, but with the rising costs of everything, we are no longer in a position to continue our journey.

“I would just like to personally say a massive thank you to all our staff and customers who have supported us throughout our journey, and we would like to invite everyone to come and raise a glass with us from 6pm this evening to say our final goodbyes.”

Nothing has been posted on the pub’s main social media pages.

KentOnline tried calling during opening hours and the line went straight to voicemail.

Inside the pub before its transformation and opening party. Picture: The Playa Minster-On-Sea.

The news comes after many boozers across the county continued to feel the strain.

One Canterbury landlord says government changes to business rates mean he will need to sell an extra 130,000 pints a year.

Research commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association shows establishments make just 12p on every pint sold, after tax and costs have been deducted.

The Playa was formerly run by Neil Moran and his sister Laura I’Anson, who had taken it over from their father Eddie Moran.

It had been in the family for 25 years. However, in January 2022, the pair closed the venue without warning.

Neil Moran and his sister Laura I'Anson (pictured) previously ran the boozer before Nicola Smith stepped in as landlady.

They told KentOnline that despite leaving on “good terms” with the landlords, they had been unable to agree on a long-term future for the pub.

Neil also admitted the business had been hit hard by Covid lockdowns.

A few months later, Nicola Smith stepped in as landlady and had been running it before Megan and her family took over.

The Playa has been approached for a comment.