One of the last surviving pubs in a town centre is up for sale

The Prince of Wales in Strood High Street is on the market for £650,000 and, despite the demise of the licensing trade, there is hope it may still remain a boozer.

Peter and Kathleen Gillard, now both 85, and arguably Medway's oldest licensees, have finally called time after 33 years.

Apart from their ages, Covid put paid to the business which closed for a year during lockdown. In its heyday it did a roaring trade beating off stiff competition from what were more than 20 hostelries in the town.

By day it served up lunches to the hundreds of council workers who were based in the old riverside quarters next door. By night it was a popular live music venue featuring rock n' roll bands and 50's music.

Indeed it's still open on Friday and Saturday night for loyal customers to boogey the night away.

Peter, a father-of-four, took redundancy from his job as an artist for the Daily Mirror and bought the pub in the High Street for £200,000.

"People come as far away as Hastings to our rock 'n' roll nights..."

He said :"We moved from London and had never been to Medway before. We bought it because Kathleen is Irish and it was an Irish pub."

Granddad Peter said it was "rundown and filthy" and the couple refurbished it, building up trade and living in an apartment upstairs.

He said:"We have our regulars, some of them have been coming here since the start. People come as far away as Hastings to our rock 'n' roll nights."

Peter recalls many changes in the town over three decades including the closure of pubs in the town.

A member of the Medway Licensed Victuallers' Association, he said:"The British pub is an institution, so I hope it stays a pub.

"There's a lot going for Strood, it's up and coming and has more shops than Rochester."

Now the couple are looking forward to their retirement, hopefully in warmer climes.

The Only Fools and Horses fan , said:"I want to sit in the sun with a Pina Colada watching Delboy."

Adam Miles, from the Acorn Group, said there had been interest from potential buyers since it went on the books six weeks ago.

He said: "It would work as a pub, but perhaps not the traditional wet pub. Perhaps something a bit quirky like a cocktail bar or a food based venue."

Mr Miles added:"It's on the wrong side of Rochester Bridge, but its proximity to Rochester helps.There's also a lot of redevelopment going on in Strood and it has good links to London and the motorway."

Mr Miles said the proposed riverside development on the Esplanade in Strood would also prove an attraction.

The Prince of Wales comes with a two bedroom flat including a kitchen, bathroom and reception room.

At the back there is a five-bedroomed housing for multiple occupancy block with separate entrance, shared kitchen, bathroom and toilet facilities.There is planning permission for two additional apartments.

The property is not listed or within a conservation area adding further flexiblity for redevelopment.

Acorn has recently opened a branch in Strood and Rainham.

For further information, call 0208 315 5454