From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Keely Greenwood, 28 March 2023.

Princes Park pub in Chatham to reopen as new-look community hub pub.

A mum is taking a leap into the unknown after becoming the landlady of what she hopes will be a new-look pub and community hub cafe.

Jane Brownlow is working hard to transform the Princes Park pub in Princes Avenue, Chatham, from a run-down local people were scared to step foot in to somewhere which is welcoming to everyone.

The mum-of-three decided to take on the challenge after getting divorced during lockdown and seeing her children start to lead their own lives.

"I realised I was living my life through them," she said. "I wanted to do something for me. The pub came up for lease and I thought I'd go for it."

Jane, who grew up helping her parents serve customers in their cafe, said she got a taste for the hospitality industry again after helping her friend behind the bar at his members' club in Essex recently.

"It reignited a passion in me," she said. "I love being with people."

Jane, 42, paid the large sum of money needed to lease the pub using her holiday savings and with help from friends.

But she's not doing it for the money.

Jane Brownlow has the keys to Princes Park, in Princes Avenue, Chatham, and wants to transform it into a community hub.

She said: "I'm not in it for the money. I just want to make people happy. I love being with people."

Jane, who once worked as a cleaner, is hoping to do as much as she can by herself to keep costs down and play it by ear as to the staff she needs.

"I'll do the cleaning and cooking myself. Maybe I'll get a cleaner at the weekends to give it a big clean."

She is also planning to sell food from 9am to 7pm and host barbecues in the summer.

The large pub, which closed its doors two and half years ago, boasts two separate rooms so Jane is planning to have the front bar as the main drinking area and the back bar as a "stay and play" for parents and children in the day and a games hub for her children and their friends in the evenings.

"Mums and dads can pay £2 to spend the day playing and having coffee," she said. "They can come and go throughout the day."

And Jane is using her old role as a childminder to add resources to the play room.

"I have so many toys I will probably rotate them and have themed days. And I'm going to make it educational as well with a writing station where the children can write notes to their parents or carers and then post them in a little letterbox."

She is also going to have a reading area where parents can read Jane's favourite Julia Donaldson books together.

Jane, who has lived in Medway since she was seven, hopes to include something for everyone, with a jigsaw constantly on the go at the corner of the bar and board games for anyone who's feeling lonely.

The new-look Community Hub Pub Cafe at Princes Park pub in Princes Avenue, Chatham.

The new-look Princes Park pub.

"I hate to think of people being on their own. If you want to play Scrabble but you don't have anyone to play with come in and I'll find you the other person, or I'll play."

She added: "I can't see anyone on there own. I want to bring everyone together, including dogs. Dogs will be allowed in too."

Jane, who last worked in a pub 25 years ago, wants her doors to be open from 9am to 11pm (midnight at weekends).

The area where children can play at the Princes Park pub in Chatham.

She has run her own business before but never employed staff, so applying for the necessary paperwork was an eye-opener.

"There has been so much to do but it's a challenge and I'm excited.

"I've got more energy than any other 42-year-old I know."

Jane is keen to change the image of the pub, which has not always had a good reputation.

A view from behind the pumps at the Princes Park pub in Princes Avenue, Chatham.

"It used to be a bit of a druggie pub," she said. "I've lived in Princes Park 14 years and I only stepped foot in here once and turned around and walked straight back out.

"It used to have sticky carpet and was not very inviting."

She is also planning to host special events starting with a day showcasing youngsters' talent at the beginning of June where children can show-off their dance, music or singing skills to an audience.

Princes Park is due to reopen its doors on Saturday, April 15.