A pub which was shut down by council officers after Covid restrictions were ignored has been awarded a new licence.

Medway Council took away the licence from the Hop and Rye micropub in Wainscott, near Strood, after one of its previous co-owners was found to be allowing people to have lock-ins.

A new licence had been applied for by Robert Strudwick, who runs the Kings Arms in Upnor.

He told members of the council's Licensing Hearing Panel how he wanted to create a family-friendly environment.

During a meeting on Tuesday, March 2, he also told the panel he would be removing the offer of discounted drinks in an attempt to discourage the crowd the pub previously attracted from returning.

He said: "I very much want to get away from that image by promoting real ales, international craft beers and the like."

The panel unanimously decided to award Mr Strudwick a licence with the agreement of Kent Police and Environmental Protection.

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