27/03/2026
CHEQUERS NEWS.
After over a century of The Chequers being operated by breweries under a very unusual lease, yesterday Shepherd Neame returned the keys to St Clere.
We have not been able to make plans as it was legally unclear whether they were going to walk away.
Now things are clearer, plans are afoot! It’s been very encouraging to see how interested the community have been in what happens to The Chequers and so I hope it will be good news to hear that the goal is to find an excellent, enthusiastic, committed publican to run The Chequers as a Free House. It’s not an easy time for country pubs, with one closing every day nationally, so we will need the community’s support if this is going to be a success.
We will update here so keep an eye on this page. For those in Chequers Chat, there will be an update coming by email on Monday.