A historic town centre pub is set for a facelift, including a new name and new colours.

The Crown, at the top of the High Street in Rochester, will be ditching its well-known shades of red for black and gold, if plans for a new look are approved.

Planning documents for the boozer also reveal proposals to change its name to The Royal Crown.

In 2019, the landmark pub by Rochester Bridge, whose building dates back to the late 1700s, was bought by Kent brewery Shepherd Neame.

For two decades before the sale it was managed by the Krays – father Steve and eldest son Pete – who spent £300,000 on a refurbishment.

The duo changed the name of the pub from Norman Conquest back to The Crown.

In the 2014 Rochester and Strood by-election prompted by the the then MP’s defection from the Conservatives to UKIP, the hostelry became the centre of media attention.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, made several visits to the Towns to support his colleague and held press conferences outside popping in for his favourite beer.

Reporters and TV crews converged on the town to cover the campaign – and likewise banner-waving UKIP protestors aired their views.

Originally, the pub on the site catered for royalty, including Elizabeth I and King Charles V of Spain, before it was demolished.

If given the go ahead, the pub will have permission to install a new hanging swing sign, new golden letters and curved sign, a painted brick pub logo, and three new menu signs.

Two historic information boards would also be displayed.

You can view the plans on Medway Council’s planning portal.

Use reference MC/23/1280 to view the documents.