A backstreet boozer which shut after 168 years of pulling pints has reopened.

Just a year after The Carpenters Arms in Rochester called last orders it’s now welcoming back regulars - and hopefully some new customers from further afield.

Ben Galle has bought the pub in Cossack Street and believes it signals the revival of an out-of-town local.

With years of experience of being a manager at other hostelries around the town, he has just moved and is determined to make his new venture on his own work.

The 34-year-old told KentOnline: “We have seen a recent trend in people moving out of the High Street and coming to places like this to socialise.

“And it’s also cheaper than a night out on town.”

The pub in Cossack Street is close to his heart as his dad Mick used to drink there when Ben was growing up and he used to work behind the bar at the neighbouring The Bell.

While many watering holes around Delce Road, an area known as The Delce, have been forced to close over the last decade, others, including The Rising Sun are making a comeback.

Ben said: “Working in pubs, I’m not much of a drinker, but personally If I had to choose between the High Street and around here I’d choose here.

Ben has plans to reintroduce live music in the pub and pub games such as snooker.

“We want to encourage young and old alike,” he added.

“There are some old boys whose only chance to get out of the house is to come in and have a chat with other people.”

The Rising Sun in King Street has recently been given a £280,000 makeover to include lavish new fixtures and fittings, a revamped historic bar, and an ornamental willow tree.

The beer garden has also been given a facelift to attract customers all year round to drink and eat al fresco.

Back by popular demand are the open mic sessions, weekly pool competitions and quiz nights with cheese board.

Joint owner Billy Dutton hopes to help attract folk music fans who would frequent the now-closed Good Intent pub, which was a short walk away.

Billy, 31, who grew up in Medway and has worked in the licensing trade both here and in London, said: “We hope to fill the gap left by the Good Intent.

”We wanted to maintain its historic, Victoriany look. We have focused on the old bar making it look really pretty and framing it as a feature.

“We have knocked down a wall and gone into the largely disused kitchen so we have room for an extra 20 seating.”

The enclosed garden has now been paved over and there is an outdoor bar for drinking alfresco.

The Good Intent in John Street was demolished in 2019 to make way for housing despite a massive campaign to save it.

It was particularly popular among live music fans and played an important role as an entertainment venue in the annual Sweeps Festival in Rochester.

Elsewhere, the Prince of Wales in Cecil Road had its licence revoked after a violent attack took place during an after-hours session.

Others to close nearby in recent years include the What The Dick Inns in Ross Street, and The Greyhound in Rochester Avenue.