The Angel pub in Rainham, Kent, is set to close its doors once again, marking the fourth time the establishment has changed hands in three years. Current licensees Billy Dutton and Kieran-miguel D’la announced the closure on Sunday, months after stepping back from their management of The Rising Sun pub in Rochester.
Dutton and D’la took over The Angel, located on Lower Rainham Road near Riverside Country Park, in October 2024, following a brief seven-month tenure by Vesta Pubs. In a social media post, the pair expressed their gratitude to patrons, stating, “After much thought, we have made the tricky decision to close our doors. We want to thank every single person who has walked through them – for the laughs, the music, the celebrations, the friendships and the support.”
They continued, “You made this place what it was,” adding that it had been “an honour” to serve the local community. The closure brings an end to their attempt to revitalize the pub, which had recently undergone a £185,000 refurbishment prior to their arrival, funded by its owner, Admiral Taverns.
The decision follows the pair’s announcement in December that they were stepping down from running The Rising Sun in Rochester, a pub they had managed for over three years. The Rising Sun has since been taken over by fresh owners. In a separate announcement regarding The Rising Sun, they alluded to personal challenges, stating, “It’s been a tough year for me personally, and it’s time to look after me.”
Their statement about The Rising Sun also included a lighthearted acknowledgement of customer habits: “After years of serving pints, hearing your gossip and pretending we didn’t notice you stealing the beer mats, we’ve got an announcement: We are closing!”
KentOnline has reached out to The Angel for comment but has not yet received a response.