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Shepherd Neame Teams Up With Pub Licensee To Support Whitstable Yacht



Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has teamed up with the licensee of its Whitstable pub, The Old Neptune, to support a local yacht competing in an international race.


The Sailing Yacht Cormorant will take part in the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts in Malta on Saturday (October 17), becoming the first yacht from Whitstable to take part in the prestigious event.


Sponsored jointly by Shepherd Neame and The Old Neptune’s licensee Darren Wilton, the yacht will be sailed by Whitstable resident Patrick Maflin, Director and Founder of Marine Accounts, and members of his team. The Kent accountancy firm has spent the last 12 years working with crews, captains and marine professionals across the yachting industry.


Now in its 47th year, the race will start from Malta’s historic Grand Harbour, with the fleet setting off beneath the fortified walls of Valletta before racing out into the Mediterranean.


Affectionately known as ‘The Neppy’, The Old Neptune is one of the country’s most recognisable coastal pubs, thanks to its unique beachfront location. The logos of both the pub and Shepherd Neame’s Whitstable Bay range will be displayed on the yacht’s hull throughout the race.


The award-winning Whitstable Bay collection comprises Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Whitstable Bay Lager and Whitstable Bay 0.5% Pale Ale. Inspired by the seaside town just a few miles from Shepherd Neame’s historic Faversham Brewery, the range celebrates the character and heritage of the Kent coast.


Licensee of The Old Neptune, Darren Wilton, said:

“Pat is a local at The Old Neptune, and I’ve known him for more than 20 years - we even call him Captain Pat! When he mentioned he would be showcasing Whitstable with a yacht race around Sicily, I really wanted the pub to get involved. You can’t showcase Whitstable without The Old Neptune! We hope the team do well and come back here for a celebratory drink after the race.”

Shepherd Neame Head of Brands Rose Davis said:

“We are thrilled to support the team aboard the Sailing Yacht Cormorant for this historic race. As the first yacht from Whitstable to take on the Rolex Middle Sea Race, this is a fantastic opportunity to introduce our Whitstable Bay range, The Old Neptune pub, and everything else the seaside town has to offer, to an international audience. We wish the team the best of luck!”

From Malta, the fleet heads north towards Sicily before passing through the Strait of Messina, a narrow stretch of water between Sicily and mainland Italy.


The yachts will then race around the volcanic island of Stromboli, along the northern coast of Sicily, and around the western islands of the course, before heading south past Pantelleria and Lampedusa.


The final stretch takes the boats back towards Malta and the finish line, covering approximately 606 nautical miles. The race attracts a diverse field of competitors, from some of the world’s fastest professional racing yachts to experienced amateur crews taking on a demanding offshore challenge. Conditions can include light winds, heavy seas and challenging currents, with crews spending long periods racing through the night. For some, completing the course takes several days at sea.


Patrick said:

“We started with an idea not just to sail a course, but to build a legacy. With the support of Shepherd Neame and The Old Neptune, that idea has become a reality.”

The race can be followed live on the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Rolex Middle Sea Race social media channels, with commentary in English.


Find out more here. 

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Leading Scottish hospitality operator Buzzworks has unveiled the exciting plans behind its new Herringbone venue, set to open this May in the heart of Barnton, Edinburgh.


The expansion – which will bring up to 40 jobs to the region – will offer guests the Herringbone’s cool but casual experience to one of the city’s most vibrant suburbs. Located at 201-205 Whitehouse Road, the new venue sits on a historic site that has previously served as a retail unit, office space, and most recently, a Sainsburys store.


With a sizeable six-figure investment being dedicated to a kitchen featuring an Italian Moretti Forni pizza oven, the transformation will create a warm, welcoming space that is both stylish and comfortable.


This will be the fourth Herringbone venue to be opened by Buzzworks, with the group already operating sites in Edinburgh’s Goldenacre and Abbeyhill, as well as the original Herringbone in North Berwick.


With a capacity of 110 guests indoors and an additional 20 in the outdoor seating area, Herringbone Barnton is designed to be a welcoming, all-day neighbourhood local. Guests can enjoy a central bar with adjacent high tables, a thoughtfully designed restaurant space split into two areas, and an inviting outdoor terrace with heaters and dog-friendly seating.


Ash Bairstow, operations director for Herringbone, said:

“We are incredibly excited to bring Herringbone to Barnton and to introduce our warm hospitality, seasonally inspired food, and beautifully designed space to the Barnton community."

“Herringbone is all about creating a welcoming neighbourhood venue where people can relax, enjoy great company, and experience outstanding food and drink. We can’t wait to open our doors and become part of the local community.”


Buzzworks’ internal design team has carefully curated the venue’s interior, blending a cool mix of celadon, teal and sand for a fresh, sleek Scandinavian-inspired design. Guests can expect natural materials, bold lighting, eye-catching murals, and stylish wallpaper.


Much of the furniture is custom-made by Buzzworks’ own joinery team, seamlessly paired with modern classics. Building on the success of previous Herringbones, this new Barnton spot is a natural next step — elevated yet effortlessly inviting.


The venue will undergo its final transformation in the coming months, with major milestones including bar installation in early March, kitchen completion in mid-April, and final interior styling by late April.


The new menu has been carefully developed by operational head chef James Moyle and operations director Ash Bairstow, with contributions from the wider culinary team, to showcase locally sourced ingredients and fresh, seasonal flavours.


Herringbone favourites will be on offer, including seared steak slices with rocket and parmesan, wild mushrooms on toast with spinach and crispy shallots, and the famous East Lothian seafood chowder. Guests can also enjoy beautifully crafted cocktails and 30 wines by the glass.


Meanwhile, the Barnton venue introduces an expanded all-day menu featuring breakfast dishes and stone-baked Neapolitan pizzas, alongside seasonal highlights.


James Moyle, executive chef for Herringbone, said:

“Herringbone has always been about fresh, locally inspired dishes with bold flavours, and our new Barnton menu is no exception."

“With a focus on seasonality, our menu changes every 6-8 weeks to showcase the freshest ingredients at their best. Every dish has been crafted with quality and attention to detail, ensuring there’s always something special to enjoy.”


Herringbone is now hiring for all positions, including chefs, managers, front-of-house, bartenders and kitchen staff, with recruitment events planned for March.


Herringbone is part of the award-winning Buzzworks group, which has been recognised as one of the top 100 companies to work for in the UK and is committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment.


The company offers competitive rates of pay, industry-leading training and development opportunities, and flexible working options to help team members achieve a healthy work-life balance.



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