A high-end menswear fashion shop in the heart of a town’s multi-million-pound regeneration scheme is moving out after more than a quarter of a century.

Red Menswear is relocating from Chatham to a former bank in historic Rochester High Street at the beginning of next month.

Ben Hunt, a partner, born and raised in Medway, said: “We really appreciate our loyal customers who have been with us over the years and would defend Chatham to the hilt.

“But it’s time to move on.

“Rochester is more of a destination town with its festivals, live concerts, bars and restaurants, antique shops, and it’s full of independent businesses.

“It's where we need to be now.”

Ben and his co-partner Martin Johnson have taken over the old HSBC branch, which in subsequent years has been home to Platoon, a store selling specialist military gear and equipment, and, more recently, the Analogue music shop.

Further explaining the rationale behind the move, Ben added: “We want to give it an old-school tailors vibe in keeping with the history of the town.”

But Ben added they would be taking all their upmarket brands, such as GANT, Tommy Hilfiger and Hackett with them and introducing some more top-notch names.

Describing themselves as the “largest independent menswear fashion store in the southeast”, the businessmen opened their current shop in Military Road in 1999.

It is situated in the middle of Medway Council’s £4million long-term reinvestment of the town.

In its initial stages, Red Menswear along with other businesses supported the innovative plans for the future of Chatham.

Comprising five phases spanning from Chatham Railway Station to the Pentagon centre entrance in Military Road, The Paddock green space has recently been given a £2.8million facelift.

The nearby Nucleus Arts café and community hub closed at the end of last year due to flooding problems.

Red Menswear hopes to open for business in the 1850s built listed property in early April and their last trading day in Chatham is Saturday, March 29.

Martin said: “It’s been 26 years of love for the past and the present, the people of Medway have been amazing.

“I love this place however we as a business that want to service the community for quality menswear see Rochester as the future. Please support us on our journey.”

Other old banks in Rochester which have been given a new lease of life include the NatWest which is now Chuck and Blades burger restaurant, and Lloyds which is being converted into a state-of-the-art dental practice.

Ironically, Platoon, which left the high street to relocate to an industrial unit on Medway City Estate in October 2022, cited Rochester's “café society” as a reason for moving out.