From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Cara Simmonds, 28 April 2023.

Shepherd Neame's Rockin Robin on the Green in Barming reopens as the Duke of Edinburgh.

A popular pub is set to reopen with new landlords and a new name.

The Rockin Robin on the Green in Heath Road, Barming, will welcome punters back tonight with a launch party to celebrate the changing of hands.

The pub will be going back to its original name, The Duke of Edinburgh. Picture: Martin Goodman.

Since 2018, it was run by Robin and Michelle Gordon, who make and sell their own beer made in their Rockin Robin Brewery.

In February, Shepherd Neame said it was looking for new tenants to take over after the couple decided to step down.

Michelle previously told KentOnline: "It has been really good, we have had a good time running it and met some fantastic people.

"Sometimes you have to have a change, we've had a challenge and now want a bit of a normality.”

Since then the building – which dates back to the 1800s – has been closed to the public.

What the inside of the pub used to look like. Picture: Steve Crispe.

It has now been redecorated. Picture: Martin Goodman.

The Faversham company decided it wanted the pub to revert back to its original name, The Duke of Edinburgh, when it reopened.

Nikki Podac and her partner Gigi Bucur secured the lease for the watering hole and are making sure their business continues to run in the family.

Their sons Rick Bucur, 37, and Carlo Podac, 23, will become the official landlords.

“It is with great joy and excitement we announce that our sons have decided to extend the family business,” 42-year-old Nikki said.

“After amazing contributions at many places, including most recently at our lovely unicorn, they will be putting their own stamp on a beautiful venue.”

Nikki Podac and her partner Gigi Bucur. Picture: Martin Goodman.

Nikki pictured with Rick (left) and Carlo (right). Picture: Martin Goodman.

The family own another successful establishment in Kent, called The "Unicorn" Pub and Restaurant in Marden High Street.

They also used to run the "Bull" in Tonbridge Road and say after 15 years are excited to return to Barming.

Nikki added: “I would like to give my special thanks to the unicorn family and our friends from Barming who have been so patient with us during this transition, as well as the love and support to help make this happen.

“It’s been absolutely amazing, we are very confident on the opening – lots of family and friends are coming tonight.

“We have re-decorated the pub completely and will be changing the name officially in the next few weeks, once paperwork is processed.”

The pub is open from 6pm tonight (April 28).

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Cara Simmonds, 15 June 2023.

New landlady to take over The Duke of Edinburgh, formerly known as Rockin Robin on the Green.

A new landlady will be taking over a well-known pub.

Shepherd Neame has announced that Sharon Wardell will now run The Rockin Robin on the Green in Barming.

The building in Heath Road dates back to the 1800s and can serve up to 40 people.

It is currently closed to the public, but will be reopening on Friday.

Shepherd Neame’s director of tenanted operations, Greg Wallis, said: “We are delighted that The Rockin’ Robin on the Green has been taken on by experienced licensee Sharon Wardell.

“Sharon has successfully run another of our pubs, the "Royal Albion" in Maidstone, for more than 17 years, and we are really pleased to support her in taking a second site with us.

“We are confident that she will take this unique, characterful venue from strength to strength.”

Sharon Wardell will be taking over the pub. Pictured in 2008.

The brewery company also confirmed that there are still plans to change the name of the pub to The Duke of Edinburgh, however at present it will continue with the old title.

It was up for grabs after being advertised online in February, following previous landlords Robin and Michelle Gordon deciding to step down.

The couple own the Rockin Robin Brewery and won the Beer of the Year prize at the Taste of Kent Awards in 2019.

In April, the pub opened once again by stepbrothers Rick Bucur and Carlo Podac, who gave the venue a £20,000 revamp.

Their family also own the "Unicorn" Pub and Restaurant in Marden High Street.