A landmark pub which closed last year is to be given a new lease of life after being taken over by restaurant owners.

The Aviator pub, just off the A249 in Queenborough Road, on the Isle of Sheppey, has been bought by Mehmet and Elvin Suzgun who run Mem’s Mezze in nearby Halfway.

When former owner Shepherd Neame announced it was shutting the boozer in January last year, it said it had been forced to close due to “ever-increasing utilities” costs.

The news was met with an outpouring of messages from regulars of the long-standing community pub, who praised its tasty food and cheerful customer service.

But customers can look forward to a new-look hostelry run by the husband-and-wife team, after they completed the purchase on Tuesday this week for £640,000.

The couple opened their bustling Turkish restaurant in 2018 after transforming the Halfway House pub.

While the converted Islanders, who have lived on Sheppey for around 20 years after moving from London, say they cannot reveal their plans for The Aviator just yet, they did confirm it will remain a pub.

“What’s the point of having two restaurants?” Elvin said, “Plus we like the history of the pub, so it will stay as a public house.

“We have been interested in the building for years but decided to go for it when we heard Londoners wanted to take it over.