Hundreds of Dartford residents are campaigning to keep a popular pub open, after Wetherspoon announced that it will close down this Sunday (February 14).
The company's plans to shut The Paper Moon's doors for good on Valentine's Day sparked a petition, created by a Belvedere resident who has drank in the High Street boozer for seven years.
Aaron Tattersall's plea to company bosses to keep the beer taps running has now been signed by 540 people in just two days.
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The 34-year-old, who only learnt of the pub's closure on Monday (February 9), told News Shopper: "I'm definitely disappointed, and confused as to why they have made this decision at such short notice.
"It's the best pub around there. It's a landmark.
"It's so different from any other pub, or any other Wetherspoon, it's more of a local's pub.
"It's got a good mix of people, not all youngsters not all old people, and you can chat to the staff."
Wetherspoon believe the second pub is unnecessary because it also owns The Flying Boat, which is just a few minutes away in Spital Street - but Mr Tattersall, and hundreds of others, disagree.
The Caldy Road resident added: "You can wait 10 minutes to get a drink in The Flying Boat.
"It's not a bad pub, but it's just not for me and most people who drink in The Paper Moon would say the same. They are Paper Moon people.
"The other pub gets too busy, especially on a weekend. There are more than enough customers for both."
One message of support on The Paper Moon's Facebook page reads: "End of an era we have been patrons of The Paper Moon for at least 21 years, we will miss it and the staff very much. From Ray, Lesley and Pops."
Mr Tattersall hopes to encourage Wetherspoon to reconsider their decision, or at least to put back the set closing date.
He claims to have emailed several senior board members, as well as the company's customer services team.
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He said: "I feel a bit let down by the upper management, not making any attempt to keep it open.
"I think the first step should have been a price increase - 10p more a pint.
"There has been no response to any of my emails.
"My understanding is they want to focus all their attention on one pubs - but the majority of people don't use both."
Wetherspoon's prefered pub. Picture: Google Maps
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We can confirm that The Paper Moon in Dartford is closing this Sunday.
"We are aware of the petition from locals and fully understand that they don't want the pub to close. We appreciate their loyalty over the years.
"Wetherspoon has made a commercial decision that it wishes to close this pub.
"We have another pub in the town, The Flying Boat, which we hope customers at The Paper Moon will use, though we understand that their loyalties lie with The Paper Moon itself.
"No staff will lose their jobs."
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