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Tour guide for London museum the Wellcome Collection opens The Pilots’ Rest pub in Sheerness, Sheppey

A tour guide who spends his days showing people around a London museum has opened an aviation-themed micropub near a Kent beach.

Neil ‘Rock’ Webb, from Rochester, launched The Pilots’ Rest in the Broadway, Sheerness, on Friday at the site of the former Flying Sheep.

The micropub can seat up to 25 guests at the Broadway on Sheppey
The micropub can seat up to 25 guests at the Broadway on Sheppey

That micropub, which sold beer, cider and gins, closed in May when its former owners chose to focus their attention in other areas.

However, Mr Webb, who has worked as a visitor experience assistant at the Wellcome Collection in Euston Road for 10 years, has taken up the mantle.

Although he will continue working his three days at the museum, the 53-year-old is planning to make The Pilots’ Rest his long-term project.

The watering hole will specialise in “real ales, proper cider and Belgian beer.”

Some of those on offer include Bolleke, Hommelbier, Tongerlo and Duvel, with German selections also available.

The Pilots' Rest is a new micropub in Sheerness, Sheppey
The Pilots' Rest is a new micropub in Sheerness, Sheppey
Medway's Neil 'Rock' Webb has decided to open the micropub in Sheerness
Medway's Neil 'Rock' Webb has decided to open the micropub in Sheerness

Mr Webb explained: "The Broadway location came up at the right time, and I'm already finding out that the community in Sheerness is full of lovely people who appreciate someone putting in effort.

“I wanted to keep the airplane theme which was put in place by the previous pub, so I have kept that decor going.

"There's a few plane bits in the window which were left over as well which will be used, so we're 90% finished with the interior.

"New signage will also be up in the next few weeks, but we’re already serving our proper cider, real ales and Belgian beer.

“We are also serving a few snacks like crisps, nuts and billtong.”

The watering hole has replaced the former Flying Sheep in Sheerness Town Centre
The watering hole has replaced the former Flying Sheep in Sheerness Town Centre

Mr Webb, who has been a holidaymaker in Leysdown since the 1970s and still has a caravan there, believes the micropub will give residents a new social arena.

He added: “I think the business can be a real good hub for the area, and will allow people to properly chat over a drink.

"I'm also taking a massive chance doing this, both financially and emotionally, so that's why I've been encouraged from what has happened since Friday and the support shown.

"It's a one-man band with just me working at the minute, although with seating for 25 people, it is a perfect size for a micropub.

"There may be a garden on the way next year, and we are also looking at a monthly Monday night of things like quizzes.”

Belgian beers are one of the main drinks on offer at The Pilots' Rest
Belgian beers are one of the main drinks on offer at The Pilots' Rest

He continued: “I plan to dedicate my time towards the micropub full-time in the future.

"Working at the museum, I help visitors attending the museum by working front of house and writing and delivering tours, and have been doing that for 10 years now.

“So for the time being, I’m going to keep doing that and then see how the next few months and winter go in Sheerness.”

The micropub is open on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, although will be operating on more days in the future.

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