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Tudeley, Kent Jason and Debbie Emery had their work cut out when they took over the Poacher. The previous licensee didn't encourage children and even...

Tudeley, Kent Jason and Debbie Emery had their work cut out when they took over the Poacher. The previous licensee didn't encourage children and even had a notice up saying they, and hop-pickers, weren't welcome. Debbie says the dark interior, horrible carpet and very odd collection of ornaments dotted around the pub didn't do much to encourage adults either. Apart from closing the pub for seven days to give it a much-needed redecoration, the next thing Jason and Debbie did was carry out a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the Poacher and its competitors in this part of rural Kent to the south-east of Tonbridge. Debbie and Jason noticed there was no other pub within a 20-mile radius that offered something for mum, dad, the kids and the grandparents. Thus, the idea of making the Poacher a family-orientated pub was born in April 2002. Jason says the pub's previous guise "had scared a lot of people away and they didn't realise that it had changed hands". To acquaint people of its transformation, the Emerys placed adverts in the local newspaper, undertook leaflet drops, and got involved with local charity events and the village fete. In came children's play equipment, bouncy castle, football nets, boules pitch, and baby-changing facilities. And in came the families. Also high on the agenda was creating a menu specifically for kids. Healthier option meals accompany the standard fare of chicken nuggets, fish fingers, burgers and sausages. A free ice cream is given for every clean plate, although Jason and Debbie suspect that parents sometimes lend a hand in finishing their offsprings' food. Party packs with balloons, games and colouring sets are given out so that kids don't get bored awaiting their meals. A two-acre field adjoins the pub and there are plans to extend the children's play area even further, hopefully this year. Jason and Debbie also plan to use a field so that families can park their caravans next to the pub. Debbie estimates that around two-thirds of the Poacher's trade now comes from families. Every member of staff is taught to keep a watchful eye to ensure that the younger customers don't come to any harm. Considering what the Poacher used to be like, Jason says: "It's nice to hear the laughter of children around the place.

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