Market House, Maidstone

A thoroughly modernised old Sheps pub and not in a good way, being a vivid example of what happens when you unleash a 'designer' with a vague brief - lots of random recycled woodwork, bare floorboards and some uncomfortable-looking benches. There is a 'wait to be seated' restaurant area to the rear and a roof terrace above. At least the two ales (Masterbrew and Whitstable Bay) seemed to be in good condition and there were various entertainments advertised: live music, quiz etc.

A fairly average Shepherd Neame town pub, nicely restored to give it some traditional character at street level but over-modernised elsewhere. The upstairs room is primarily for functions and acts, though it had been taken over by a bunch of teenagers when we visited, using it as their safe space to escape from the nasty, bigoted grown-ups. Ales on were Spitfire, Creekside, Masterbrew and Whitstable Bay, plus a keg bank of Moretti, Guinness, Camden Hells, Spitfire Lager and Orchard View cider. The ales were too warm and in suboptimal condition. I wouldn’t make it a destination of choice and there is better ale to be had in other nearby pubs.