The owner of a popular pub has dismissed speculation it is set to close – but says he is walking away after almost 20 years. Jim Pearson sent the rumour mill into overdrive after putting the Elephant in Faversham on the market, with many fearing the much-loved freehouse will soon shut. But the 67-year-old says he has merely decided to retire and expects the pub, which is almost 175 years old, to stay the same under its new owners. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “I’m still going to be running the place for the time being, and once I find new owners I will continue to run it for a c…