Micro pub adds income stream to Kent arable farm business

Diversification has been an important part of O&P Gower’s business for the past 15 years to provide a supplementary income stream, due to unstable markets, climate change and lower prices affecting the agricultural industry.  

The Gowers farm just over 400ha of wheat, oats, oilseed rape, and 3ha of potatoes on  mixed loam clay soil in south-east Kent.

The Blue Silo is the Gower’s most recent diversification, an on-farm micro pub which opened its doors to the public at the end of July this year, after five months of preparations.

See also: Sheds or silos? What to consider when upgrading grain storage

Micro pub diversification

The diversification is helping the farming business weather the poor grain prices © Annie Gower

Annie and her mum Kim – both partners in O&P Gower – predominantly run the pub, along with other family members who deal with the day-to-day running of the arable farm.

In March, the pub was a former empty dairy building, which has been reroofed, refloored and furnished. Upcycled farm equipment, including ladders, tin sheeting and livestock troughs, has been used for decoration.

Kim applied for planning permission to convert part of an agricultural building into a micro pub with outdoor seating area and car park in March 2024.

Many surveys were issued, with comments from the local parish, KCC highways and Kent Downs national landscape, before the planning permission was granted with conditions in August 2024.

Annie says: “Restrictions were quite strict because, although it is a converted farm building, it’s classed in the same way as a new-build, meaning it was costly and time-consuming – probably one of the biggest hurdles with the preparations.”

Community hub

The idea for the Blue Silo came from the family’s joint love of live music and supporting local artists, as well as the social aspect and community that comes with the opening of a pub.

“It’s like a community hub, where locals can meet each other and get together,” says Kim.

The pub is dog friendly and has disabled access increasing their customer base.

The family have also opened a campsite on Blandred Farm this year, providing additional customers for the business.

Although the Blue Silo hasn’t been open long, the family are pleased with visitor levels. “Our best day was one Saturday where we had over 300 people through the door,” says Kim.

Due to its complicated nature and costly process, Annie has no intention to brew beer.

However, the family are dedicated to supporting and selling other local produce, including Kingsdown soft drinks, Kent crisps, Kentish Pip cider and local ales.

“We would like to expand our kitchen in the future and be able to offer a larger menu,” says Annie.

The Gowers are currently refurbishing the building next to the pub to host larger music events.

Annie is also planning a Christmas market on-farm, as well as vintage tractor days, beer and music festivals for next year.

Annie is mainly advertising the business through social media on Instagram and Facebook @thebluesilopub.

The Gowers have already seen many people return to the pub, and word is spreading through the community.

Farm history

The Gowers were dairy farmers until 1995, when the market dropped. They moved to beef cattle and continued until 2017 when profit margins decreased.

Due to the labour intensity and poor returns, the family decided to move away from livestock and focus on arable, which at the time was a more profitable business.

Since 2017, O&P Gower has been solely an arable enterprise.

However, with the recent market fluctuations and increasing costs, the family are having to increase diversified revenue streams to help supplement their primary income.

“The harvest was alright this year. Yields were good, although Hagbergs were low and prices are appalling,” says Annie.

The majority of the Gowers rotation is in milling wheat. With grain markets down this year, they are pleased to have other revenue streams to supplement their farm income.