Waning audiences have prompted a live music venue to issue a call to arms to fans across Medway.

Formerly landlords of The Barge in Gillingham, Charlotte Robinson and Nathaniel Regan-Welch moved to The Ship Inn, in Court Lodge Road, in March.

But poor turn out has forced them to cut music nights from two to one a week.

A post on the pub’s Facebook page last week said the venue had suffered a “gradual but significant decline in attendance” and called on fans to turn out to gigs; adding: “if you enjoy live music in pubs, please support it... that means actually going out and spending a few quid at the bar. This is how we make the money to pay the bands. Without that we lose money and we can’t continue to promote live music. It really is as simple as that.

“It’s not just here at the Ship. Pubs are closing all over the place, and the ones that are still with us are increasingly becoming jukebox pubs.

“Apologies for the doom-and-gloom post, and I know that everybody is struggling, but if you care about local live music it’s down to you to help keep it alive.”

Charlotte said she didn’t know the cause of the problem but suspected cheap alcohol from supermarkets was having an impact on pubs in general.

“We never had a problem at The Barge but moving down it’s just not been right,” she said. “We’re more open than The Barge and everyone can see this pub.

“There’s not many pubs that have live music any more, so we’re not in competition.

“We do a bit of everything – blues, folk, jazz, blues-rock – the acts we get are generally good but the people aren’t getting to hear them. Because the bands aren’t known acts it’s hard.”

Next up at The Ship is Rosco Levee and Friends, playing rock n’ roll, blues and soul on Friday, October 28, at 9pm.

Davey Malone and The Longtails will play on Saturday, November 5.