Future uncertain for historic town centre building after popular pizza restaurant at The Drill Hall in Sandwich announces shock closure

The future of a historic building owned by a town council has been thrown up in the air after the shock closure of a popular pizza restaurant.

Heartbroken bosses at The Drill Hall in Sandwich say soaring costs forced the decision as they had reached a point where “determination alone isn’t enough to make the numbers work”.

The venue has been a well-loved fixture among the town’s eateries, known for its artisanal wood-fired pizzas and homemade gelato.

Business owner Ali Harris announced it would be closing with immediate effect earlier this week amid tough financial pressures.

But the building, which is owned by Sandwich Town Council (STC), is now without a tenant, and the authority is set to kickstart urgent discussions about the future of the site.

The drill hall was built in 1869 and previously served as a territorial army centre before STC purchased it for £330,000 in 2017, following a long-running battle to keep it in use for the community.

The council took out a Public Works Loan Board agreement with the government worth more than £566,000 in April 2018 - which taxpayers are repaying at a rate of £16,173.50 a year until October 2053.

The latest published STC accounts showed the council expected to make a budgeted annual income of £21,600 from Drill Hall during the 2025/26 financial year.

Mayor of Sandwich, Cllr Emmet Csuka, said he was sad to see the restaurant close and that discussions will begin as early as this week about the site’s future.

“Over the past seven years or so, the Drill Hall has become a much-loved part of Sandwich, and I’d like to thank Ali and everyone who has worked there for their contribution to our town and community,” he said.

“It is particularly sad to see an independent business reach this point, and I know many people locally will share my appreciation for everything they have done over the years.

“STC recognises the interest in the future of the building. There are matters relating to the Drill Hall we will need to consider through the proper process.

“No decisions have been taken on its future, but I hope the discussions will help us consider positively what opportunities there may be for the building and the wider community in the future.”

Cllr Csuka added that talks will begin at STC’s finance and general purpose committee meeting today (Wednesday).

But the matter will not be heard in public as personal data and confidential information “is required or likely to be discussed”, the agenda states.

Financial papers due to be discussed by councillors earlier in the meeting, however, reveal “rent arrears are accrued” in relation to the Drill Hall.

In a post shared on social media announcing the restaurant's closure, owner Ali said running an independent hospitality business has become “increasingly difficult”.

She said in the past few years the “cost of almost everything has risen dramatically” while people also “have less disposable income to spend eating out”.

“Like so many independent businesses, we’ve absorbed as much as we possibly could and kept going for as long as we can.

“Eventually there comes a point where determination alone isn’t enough to make the numbers work. I’ve reached that point.

“I'm incredibly sad that The Drill Hall has come to an end, but I'm also proud of what we created here. I don't see these years as a failure.

“I see a business that survived some extraordinarily difficult times, brought people together, employed some wonderful people and became part of the Sandwich community.”

The message received an outpouring of support on social media.

Mieke Vrijhof said: “Very sorry to hear this. The best gluten-free pizzas to be found anywhere. Well worth the journey from Herne Bay.

Joe Smilovitch added: “The Drill Hall will always be remembered for serving simply the best pizzas this side of Naples, having great staff, an incredibly warming atmosphere, great wine, superb ice cream and two fabulous owners.

“Through thick and thin, you made it work perfectly, and I, for one, am very sad to see it close.

“Best of luck in your next adventure, and look back with pride on what you all achieved.

“May the world learn from this and lower all their prices before we lose more superb independent businesses.”

Rated among Sandwich’s top 20 restaurants on TripAdvisor, Drill Hall holds a rating of 4.2 stars out of five from nearly 200 reviews.

STC bought the building from the Ministry of Defence after a protracted local campaign to list it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which scuppered proposals to convert it into a funeral parlour.

Speaking at the time, then-town clerk Laura Fidler said the council had been looking to acquire the Drill Hall for the preceding two years for the benefit of the community and tourism.