No Fools at The Swan

THE SWAN, a Michelin listed brasserie in Kent, is gearing up to mark its eighth birthday on the back of a sustained period of growth.

Turnover has leapt from £750,000 in the first year of trading to £5.5 million in the 2007/8 financial year.

Over the eight years since it opened on April 1, 2000, the converted 15th century coaching inn has expanded to include outside catering business Swan About, and won a prestigious contract with The Globe Theatre.

Peter Cornwell and Diccon Wright formed Fishbone Ltd in 1998 to buy the freehold, and invested £1.1 million refurbishing the pub, restoring and retaining a lot of the original 500 year old features, and incorporating contemporary woods, granite and stainless steel.

The business was awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin in 2002 - an award it has retained for six consecutive years.

Now the restaurant is siming to push for a full Michelin rating under the guidance of the recently appointed new head chef Scott Goss, who has created a special April Fool`s dessert to help the restaurant celebrate its birthday.