Rocksalt Group closes the Smokehouse in Folkestone

Rocksalt Group has closed its Smokehouse restaurant in Folkestone, Kent and is seeking a new operator to take over the site.

Owner Josh De Haan said: “The Smokehouse isn't for sale - we are looking for someone to tenant the space but keep the building under the group ownership, whilst we focus on our core restaurant and pub businesses.”

The Rocksalt Group's portfolio still includes Rocksalt, the Pilot and Little Rock in Folkestone; the Duke William at Ickham; the Wife of Bath in Wye; the Five Bells at Brabourne; the Radnor Arms in Folkestone; and the Woolpack Inn at Warehorne.

The group opened the Smokehouse, a contemporary take on a fish and chip restaurant, more than 10 years ago.

Chef Mark Sargeant, a former partner in the group, stepped away from the business last year due to "unresolvable differences of opinion" between him and business partner De Haan.

Sargeant is set to open a new restaurant called Brasserie MS in Folkestone later this summer.